Get Acne Facts

Acne is a common problem most often appearing during a person's early teen years. Acne is caused when oil in the skin mixes with flaking cells within a hair follicle. This forms a plug, which eventually leads to the hair follicle rupturing. The oil and dirt spread beneath the skin's surface, causing redness and swelling. There is no absolute cure for acne, but there are many options available to help treat acne and prevent future breakouts.

Types of Acne
Whitehead - this is a plugged hair follicle beneath the surface of the skin.
Blackhead - A blackhead is actually a whitehead whose plug turns black when it reaches the skins surface.
Common Acne - this occurs when the plugged follicle bursts near the skin's surface, forming the telltale red bump on the skin.
Cystic Acne - occurs when the follicle wall breaks deeper within the skin, often causing cysts to form.

How to Prevent Acne
While acne cannot be completely cured, there are some things that you can do to prevent major outbreaks. Wash your face twice daily with an acne cleanser to remove excess dirt and oil from your skin. Scrub with a non-abrasive towel to avoid irritating your skin. You can purchase an acne cleanser at any drug store. Use an over-the-counter acne medication. These kill acne-causing bacteria and dry out the skin, allowing dead skin cells to exfoliate. Be sure to follow the directions for use. Avoid using makeup, hair gel, or hair sprays that are oil-based. Keep your skin as clean as possible, and refrain from touching or picking at blemishes.