Acne, those pesky bumps and blemishes, is a common skin condition that occurs when hair follicles get clogged with oil and dead skin cells. This can lead to whiteheads, blackheads, or pimples, and while acne is most commonly associated with teenagers, it can affect people of all ages.
If you're looking for signs of acne, there are a few telltales: whiteheads, which are closed plugged pores; blackheads, the open version of plugged pores; small red, tender bumps called papules; larger, solid, and painful lumps under the skin known as nodules; and finally, the most unpleasant - painful, pus-filled lumps under the skin referred to as cystic lesions.
But what causes this whole ordeal? While acne is most common in teenagers due to hormonal changes, it can show up at any point in life. There are a number of factors that can trigger acne, including hormonal fluctuations related to puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, birth control use, or even stress. Certain greasy or oil-based cosmetic and hair products can also contribute to the problem, as can some medications like steroids, testosterone, and phenytoin. Birth control containing certain drugs can also worsen existing acne. Other culprits include heavy sweating and humidity or simply touching, resting on, or rubbing your face too much.
So while acne itself might be a pain, the good news is there are ways to address it. If you're looking for information on acne scar removal specifically, I can help you with that too!