What is acne? Certainly, most of us know what it is, simply because we have had to
experience it at one time or another in our lives. But, in case a definition is needed, here is
a short one. Acne is a dermatological term that includes clogged pores, pimples and lumps
or cysts that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms. Acne occurs
most commonly in teenagers, but is not limited to any age group, afflicting even adults in
their forties. This disease has many varieties, and although none are life threatening, the
more severe cases of acne can be disfiguring, leaving permanent scars on effected areas.
The physical changes in body tissue - or lesions - which acne causes are described in five
ways: comedos, papule, pustule, nodule and cyst. Further, these terms denote range or
severity with comedo (also known as blackheads and whiteheads) at one end and nodules
or cysts at the other.
It doesn’t matter how often, how ritually, you scrub your face and other areas affected by
acne; this has no bearing on either the status of current a breakout or the creation of new
problems. In fact, this sort of rigorous regimen of washing and scrubbing can actually
irritate skin and make the acne worse, not better.
Though you may have heard so from well-meaning parents growing up or some other
misinformed person, acne is not caused by poor hygiene. This doesn’t mean that hygiene
isn’t important. In fact, good hygiene can help reduce the effects of acne if used in
conjunction with acne treatment products. Rather than frequent, harsh washing, it is
generally recommended that you wash your face twice to three times a day with mild soap
and then pat it dry - don’t scrub dry.
Understanding Acne in Depth Part 2 is HERE.
SKINI RECOMMENDS
The Best Acne Remedy: YonKa Juvenil
Understanding Acne, original E-book can be found here.