Acne can be described as a condition of the skin where inflamed spots build up, and it is a fairly common condition. They generally appear on the face and neck areas but can also emerge on the back, shoulders and less commonly, other areas of the body.

Acne

Acne is a direct result of an oily substance known as sebum that is secreted from the sebaceous gland. These glands are found at the end of each one of the thousands of hair follicles found on the skin. When there is an overproduction of sebum (this can be caused due to a variety of reasons), it tends to “mix” with dead skin cells which has the effect of blocking the hair follicles.

Sometimes these blocked follicles rupture, causing inflammation which could itself lead to cyst-like spots forming, and it is these that sometimes leave the scars when they disappear.

Contrary to popular belief, there is really no scientific basis that says eating a particular food (chocolate or fried foods, for example) makes an outbreak of acne any worse than it is, but some common triggers known to cause an acne outbreak include sitting exams or starting a new relationship (in teenagers) and the wearing of certain cosmetics, just before a period or pregnancy (for females).

Acne normally affects younger people due to increased levels of hormones in their bodies and the main symptoms of the condition range from little white spots that are pretty painless, to large red-colored cysts full of pus and sebum and which can be sore.