Acne can be embarrassing, disturbing and frustrating for everyone who experiences it. It is a common, nonlife-threatening condition, according to skincarephysicians.com. Understanding how acne happens and the purpose of the body parts involved might help shed some light on treatments that are right for you.
Skin
The skin is the body's largest organ. The epidermis is the top layer of skin where dead skin cells slough off. These dead skin cells indirectly contribute to acne formation. According to mercksource.com, the skin houses the sebaceous (oil) glands. The sebaceous glands play an active role in how acne is formed. In addition, certain naturally occurring bacteria live on the surface of the skin and contribute to acne production, according to emedicinehealth.com.
Sebaceous Glands
Sebaceous glands empty into the bases of hair follicles, which are situated all over the skin, except for the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Acne has the potential to form anywhere on the body, but the skin of the face and scalp have the most oil glands. Sebaceous glands secrete a mixture of fats, waxes and hydrocarbons called sebum onto the skin's surface with the purpose of keeping the skin and hair moist, according to mercksource.com.
Why Acne Happens
During puberty, hormonal changes cause the sebaceous glands to become active and begin secreting sebum. According to emedicinehealth.com, when sebum mixes with the flaking cells inside the hair follicle, a plug is formed. Often, it will enlarge and rupture the hair follicle (whitehead), spilling the sebum and dead cells onto the surface of the skin where it mingles with the naturally occurring bacteria, causing swelling and inflammation. Acne can be triggered by stress, hormonal fluctuations, medications or hair and skin care products, according to skincarephysicians.com.
How Acne Forms
Acne lesions can be inflammatory or noninflammatory, according to emedicinehealth.com. In noninflammatory acne, blackheads (open comedones) and whiteheads (closed comedones) can be present. Blackheads have the potential for the plug to enlarge, dilating the follicle as more oil and skin flakes collect inside. A whitehead can form if the hair follicle pore stays closed. Inflammatory lesions present as papules (closed comedones that are red), pustules (closed comedones that become inflamed and rupture onto the skin's surface) and nodules (large, tender and deeply swollen comedones that are intensely inflamed and can be painful).
Severity
Dermatologists often categorize acne by its severity, according to acnedoctors.com. Mild acne consists of a few scattered whiteheads or blackheads with negligible inflammation. A moderate form of acne includes a larger collection of whiteheads, blackheads and a wider involvement of pustules (red, inflamed, pus-filled lesions). Severe acne is also called cystic or nodular acne. It is widespread with deep lesions that are inflamed, red and often painful. Cystic acne can leave scars and skin discoloration.
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