Let's talk about acne prone skin

My skin is acne prone skin. I have acne problem since early 20's and now I'm 30's, beginning to experience adult acne. Early, 20's the acne is like others teenagers can be treated by taking oral antibiotic. The antibiotic was subscribed from my dermatalogist. I took it for almost two years and the acne fade away for couple years. But it coming back in late 20's.

You might be wondering what is the different between acne and pimple. A couple of pimples is just pimples - but a large number of pimples clustered together that refuse to heal is considered acne. In other way, pimples are like one two or three spots on your face that tend to go away after a week or so. Acne is when you look like what they call "Pizza face". You probably have scars too from the acne and the acne does not go away (they look like indentations all over your face... or for lack of better word "crater face").

Now, what is acne? Acne is a term for the over production of oil, which results in plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions called pimples or zits, whiteheads, blackheads, nodules or cysts. Acne most commonly appears on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and arms. Teenagers are affected the most by acne, but acne can also affect adults between the ages of 20 to 40. After age 40, acne may lessen because of lower levels of hormones.

We use to hear complaints from our friends about pimple, whiteheads and blackheads. But now, what is nodular and cysts? Pimples are formed when the follicle wall breaks down and allows oil and bacteria to spill into your tissue. This results in redness, swelling, and pus.

A whitehead is a firm white bump that appears because your pores are clogged with oil as well as sebum that cannot reach your skin's surface.

A blackhead is a darkened duct opening that is plugged with dead cells and bacteria. When this material gains pigmentation and is exposed to air, it will oxidize and turn dark. It is important to remember that a blackhead is not caused by dirt, so do not panic by scrubbing your face. Rigorous scrubbing will only cause more irritation.

A nodule is a large, painful, solid lesion that is lodged deep within the skin.

A cyst is a deep, painful pus-filled lesion that can cause scarring. Nodules or cysts appear when there are large amounts of oil, bacteria, and pus embedded in the skin layers.

Both men and women are affected by acne, young men are more likely to suffer the effects of acne for longer periods of time because testosterone tends to make acne worse.

But what caused acne? The exact causes of acne are unknown, but it is believed that it can result from several factors, primarily, an increase in hormones called androgens, which both males and females have. Increases in androgens cause your oil glands to enlarge and produce more oil. This oil can also change into a thick white substance called sebum. An increased oil production clogs your pores with oil and sebum that can breakdown the cellular walls in your pores, which causes bacteria to grow and pimples to develop.

Acne caused scarring. This is really make me sick and felt terribled especially when I look at mirror. I'm suffering from serious acne that's what my derm said. It left a lot of scars on my cheek and need a lot of concealer to cover it. In other post, I will share with you the treatment for acne.