Why do I have acne and how to get rid of it?

Many ask: why do I have acne and how to get rid of it? Some useful acne basics before you start your acne treatment.

Acne is a common skin condition which affects 80% to 90% of the population. It takes different forms and varies in severity from one person to another. Despite the fact that it most often appears in adolescence, acne can appear as early as the age of 9 and continue until the age of 35 or 40. Acne severity and type are often changing when we grow older.

Men usually have worse cases of acne than women, but the condition lasts longer in women than in men. Acne appears in different degrees of severity.

What is the most popular type of acne?

Acne appears in different degrees of severity.

“Lucky” people show only one or two infrequent little acne pimples. Less lucky people may have a larger number of regular acne pimples or even deep pustules and cysts. An acne pimple can appear on the forehead, cheeks, chin, chest and back. The greater the number of pustules, the greater the danger of scarring.

But there is good news, with today's medicine there are lots of great treatment solutions for acne. You can download MDacne app to find out which treatment fits your skin best.

What is the cause of acne?

The main cause of acne (from adolescence onward) is overactivity and blocking of the sebaceous glands. These glands are present in the skin from birth. In adolescence, as a result of the increased production of male sex hormones called androgens, these glands grow and produce a large quantity of an oily substance known as sebum. Androgens are present in both men and women, and most acne sufferers have normal levels of these hormones in their blood.

In recent years it has been discovered that the severity of acne depends not upon the quantity in which they are produced. The cause of acne is the way in which the sebaceous glands react to these hormones. It seems that in people who have a hereditary tendency towards severe acne, the glands in the skin react more strongly to the same quantity of hormones than do the glands of people who have milder cases.

Sebaceous glands which have grown rapidly and produce large quantities of sebum are liable to become blocked and to produce comedones (blackheads). When the upper surface of the comedo is exposed to the air it oxidizes and turns black. When not exposed to the air, it has the appearance of a small white gland or fat deposit under the skin.

To find the right acne treatments for your unique skin, take the free skin assessment by clicking here.