Acne is a common skin disorder characterized by clogged pores and pimples.More
than four out of five people between
the ages of 12 and 24 develop acne at
least once. While the disorder is often associated with teenagers, it can
affect people of all ages. It''s not uncommon for acne to occur in people in
their 20s and 30s. And, some people continue to have acne in their 40s and 50s.
Some adult women experience mild to moderate acne due to hormonal changes
associated with pregnancy, their menstrual cycles, or starting or stopping
birth control pills.Acne is rarely a serious medical condition, but it often
causes emotional distress and can lead to scarring of the skin. With the right
treatment, you can often keep acne under control. Measures also can be taken to
reduce scars left by acne. Acne typically appears on your face, neck, chest,
back and shoulders, which are the areas of your skin with the largest number of
functional oil glands. Acne can take the following forms: Whiteheads.
These are created when the openings of hair follicles become clogged and
blocked with oil secretions and dead skin. Blackheads. These
are similar to whiteheads, but are open to the skin surface and darken. Pimples.
These are raised, reddish spots that signal inflammation or infection in the
hair follicles. Cysts. These are thick lumps beneath the
surface of the skin, which are formed by the buildup of secretions deep within
hair follicles.