Acne
Acne is a common skin disease that affects most of people at some time during their lives. Acne is most common in adolescents although for some people it may only first appear in their mid twenties and can even persist into middle age.
What is acne?
Our faces and bodies are covered with tiny hairs that fit into a hair follicle, or 'pore'. Deep within these pores are glands that produce natural oil called 'sebum'. Sebum's function is to keep the skin lubricated and prevent it from drying out.
Acne occurs when the oil glands respond abnormally to levels of the male hormone testosterone. Excess oil is produced which combines with dead skin cells on the top layer of the skin. A sticky mixture is formed which blocks the skin pores, trapping oil and bacteria inside. As the oil glands continue to produce excess oil the follicle begins to swell producing blackheads, pimples, spots, and whiteheads.
Acne is more common among teenagers because it is only with the onset of puberty that the body begins to produce hormones.
Scarring
People often squeeze spots and blemishes because of their unpleasant appearance. This can however cause increased inflammation and in extreme cases lead to permanent scars of the face.