What Is Acne

Acne is the blanket term for a myriad of chronic skin conditions that affects most people, predominantly in their youth.

The most common form of acne is Acne Vulgaris, and, in its commonality, is most often referred to simply as “acne.” It affects more than 96% of people, igniting blackheads, pimples, and dry patches of scaly skin, usually on the face, but also commonly on the back and on the chest. The symptoms of acne can be mild, moderate or severe.

There’s also a tremendous social and emotional component to those afflicted with acne. Many people, particularly teenagers find themselves embarrassed by or ashamed of their skin during acne breakouts.

How common is acne?

Most people endure repeated “flare-ups” or breakouts of acne throughout their adolescence, particularly from the mid- to late-teens.

Acne symptoms tend to diminish most notable in one’s early- and mid-twenties, though they’re likely to recur (though rarely with any consistency) well into adulthood, with approximately 5% of women and 1% of men over the age of 25 experiencing symptoms. Such symptoms, however, are rarely more severe than the occasional occurrence of a few easily concealable blemishes or zits.

Is there treatment?

As severe as one’s acne may be, it’s always treatable; and while there’s no immediate cure, and the results of most treatments are slow in coming, there are certainly results to be had.

The most popular treatments (also the cheapest) are topical solutions: creams and gels applied to the affected areas which function mainly to dry that are of the skin and either prevents an outbreak or to reduce its appearance. Topical applications can be bought over the counter for prices ranging from single to three digits, and a dermatologist may prescribe something stronger (though generally more expensive).

Also, for deep cystic acne (large, painful pimples that swell up from deep under the skin), a light injection of cortisone cream from a dermatologist will reduce its size and appearance to almost nothing within hours.

Though not always, those who suffer from severe acne breakouts on a regular basis are prone to develop acne scarring. Such scarring is quite common, and though topical products and medications are available to help reduce the notability of these scars, the only treatments recognized for great successes are surgical treatments.