Acne is a condition that can afflict people of all ages, from pre-teens all the way through mature adults. Acne does not discriminate between men and women, equally causing outbreaks on each person. However, there are a few factors that can contribute to the severity of acne in each person.
What Causes Acne Acne is caused when a pore is blocked. The blockage can be caused by many things, including but not limited to, skin cells, hair and oil. Once the pore is blocked, swelling can occur since the pore is still secreting sebum. High levels of hormones or excessive sebum secretion can increase a person's chances of developing acne. This is why many teenagers develop acne during puberty.
Types of Acne Acne can manifest itself in many different ways. There are three common types of acne, including blackheads, whiteheads and nodules. As alluded to by the name, blackheads are acne spots that have a black head. Whiteheads are the more common type of acne and includes an inflamed red bump that usually has a white head on top. Nodules are painful acne bumps that grow under the skin. They are usually hard and do not develop a head.
How to Prevent Acne Although there is no guarantee, keeping your face clean is the best way to prevent acne. If you exfoliate and wash your skin as recommended, you will cleanse your face of the dead skin cells, dirt and oil that can cause acne. Be sure to keep your skin moisturized so that dry skin doesn't cause an outbreak. If you use makeup, try to find a brand that includes salicylic acid which can actually help fight acne.
