One of the most popular skin disorders, Acne, is the term used for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples and even deeper lumps like cysts or nodules.
Though the affect of the disease is seen mostly on the face, it may spread on your neck, chest, back, shoulders and even on the upper arms.
Acne begins when tiny hair follicles become plugged with oily secretions from the skin's sebaceous glands that initially take the form of blackheads and whiteheads. While blackheads are small, flat spots with dark center, whiteheads are similar excepting for being colorless. When these whiteheads or blackheads get swelled up, they form cysts or nodules. These cysts and nodules are basically the firm swellings below the skin surface that get infected too at times, give birth to acne.
Acne starts from the age group of twelve to seventeen in its mild form. It takes the severe form in mid-teens, severe enough in 40% adolescents to see the physician. Though it occurs in both sexes, teenage boys are more prone to suffer from the severe cases of it. The adults too are unable to escape this skin disorder. 20% population belonging to this age group, especially women, suffer from mild to moderate forms in their thirties and beyond, and are somewhat susceptible to rosacea. It is due to hormonal changes associated with their menstrual cycle and acne caused by cosmetics.
