What is Acne? Top 10 Acne Treatments

Acne is a common skin disease characterized and recognized for plugged pores such as whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and deeper bumps like cysts and nodules which appear on the face, neck, chest, shoulders, back, and the upper arms. It happens when the pores of the skin become clogged with internally occurring oil known as Sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells.

Acne Vulgaris–sometimes identified as common acne–is today the most common skin disease. At present, acne affects about 80 million people in both the United States and Canada.

Acne is an “ordeal” for most teenagers but is not confined to any age group; sometimes adults in their 20’s or older–can experience acne. Although acne is not a dangerous condition, it can become the root cause of much emotional distress when one’s skin is disfigured and unattractive. When acne becomes severe, it may lead to permanent scarring; it is known that even less harsh cases of acne may lead to scarring.

Throughout time there has been a number of effective treatments developed for addressing from mild to severe cases of acne. There are natural and very effective treatments, as well as prescription medications for treating very severe acne but with side effects that can continue to occur even after one stops taking such medications.

Who can get acne?

Almost 100% of young people between the age range of twelve and seventeen have usually an occasional blackhead, whitehead, or pimple, despite race or ethnicity. Most of these young sufferers successfully can manage their acne problems by using over-the-counter treatments. For others, a case of acne may be more serious. In reality, by the time they reach their mid-teens, a greater number of teens have a severe case of acne that often requires formal treatment by a doctor or dermatologist.

Generally, most cases of acne begin between the age range of ten and thirteen, and can usually persist for five years or longer. Acne normally disappears on its own in one’s early twenties. Nonetheless, acne can continue to surface into the late twenties, thirties, or beyond. There are people as adults who experience acne for the first time.

Acne can equally affect both young men and women, but there exists certain differences. For whatever the reason, young men more often than young women are prone to suffer more severe and longer lasting types of acne. Regardless of this fact, young men are less likely than young women to see a dermatologist for their acne. On the other hand, young women have a greater chance to experience intermittent acne because of hormonal changes linked with their menstrual cycle. Young women can suffer from such acne well into adulthood.

Acne lesions commonly occur on the face, but they may also show up on the chest, back, neck, shoulders, upper arms, legs, and scalp.