What is Acne?

Acne is a problem not only for teenagers, but also for adults.  Acne being a disease of the pilosebaceous unit, is primarily seen in the western world, in post puberty and lessens towards the end of adolescence. Although the occurrence of acne seen in women in their 20′s and 30′s is steadily increasing. 

Research shows there are genetic, dietary, hormonal (including coming off the contraceptive pill), stress and environmental elements to this skin condition.  These factors all have one thing in common: in predisposed people, the sensitivities to imbalances caused by the named elements, stimulate inflammation which results in skin conditions such as acne.

Facts:

The condition is seen more in women than in men.

The more severe forms of acne are more often seen in men than women.

Having oily skin is an exacerbation, but it is not the root cause.

Acne is an inflammatory process that is visible when a white head appears.

Unless the inflammatory process within the body is addressed, the acne with recur.

Constant drying of the skin by excessive use of topical agents will have a detrimental effect to the condition.

Interesting Facts:

A survey was conducted in a America with post adolescent women, therefore they were passed their teens and into their twenties and thirties.

Premenstrual flare-ups were common.

The closed comodones (white heads) where the most common form of the acne with a few papulopustules (pimples).

Many authors believe that stress is one of the major causes; triggering a chain of hormonal responses.

Standard Grading System of Acne:

Grade 1 :  Mild -Micro-comedone and comedones, namely whiteheads and blackheads  - which are considered in natural medicine to be the beginning of inflammation.

Grade 2 : Mild -Papules/pustules and nodules.  Commonly known as a red pimple that is tender to the touch, which is inflammed.

Grade 3:  Moderate -Papules/pustules and nodules.   More nodules are present here that in the Grade 2 Acne and are solid, large and painful.  The lesions are deep in the skin layers and are red and inflammed.

Grade 4 :  Severe -Papules/pustules and Nodules.  Here cysts are present which are inflammed, pus filled extending deep into the skin.   When several cysts merge together they form a giant cysts/lesion.

Tags: Acne, Acne treatment clinic, inflammation, natural remedies, pimples