Acne

Most of us might have suffered from an acne breakout at some time. While Acne is not life-threatening, it is uncomfortable and may not let us look our best.   

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions seen in people of all ages. It usually affects teenagers, with adults being affected in about 20% of cases. Acne/pimples most typically appear between the ages of 10 and 13 and are more severe in people with oily skin. Females are predisposed to mild to moderate acne.

An unhealthy lifestyle, pollution, hormonal changes, and other causes such as excessive oil production, bacteria, stress, nutritional consumption, menstruation, and genetics usually cause acne. Acne/pimples are most typically present on the face, but they can also appear on the chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms.

Acne is a common skin condition that develops as the hair follicles get clogged with oil, dirt, dead skin, or even infection due to bacteria. Though Acne affects teenagers mainly, it can occur at any age in both men and women. There are many different types of acne, namely.  

• Whiteheads
• Blackheads  
• Small red, tender bumps called papules.  
• Pimples, which is also called pustules,  
• Large solid lumps under the skin  
• Painful pus-filled lumps under the skin 
• Depending on the metabolic condition, acne mainly occurs in areas where excess oil production happens, such as on a person’s face, forehead, chest, upper back, or shoulder.  

Acne is not life-threatening, though severe Acne may undermine a person’s confidence, and the presence of Acne for a long time may lead to scars on the skin’s surface called acne scars.   

• Acne scars remain long, even after the acne has healed completely, and the condition needs to be addressed.   
• Acne may cause hyperpigmentation, in which the skin becomes dark, or lead to hypopigmentation, where the skin becomes light after the Acne has healed. Hyperpigmentation is most commonly seen among the two.