Acne in Teenagers

Pimples or acne is one of the most common problems in adolescent teens affecting nearly seventeen million people in the United States itself. Acne is a disorder that involves the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. It results from the clogging of sebaceous glands leading to the formation of pimples and cysts and the condition usually begins with the onset of teenage years. As teens attain puberty, the androgens which are also called male sex hormones are produced.

It is produced in large numbers leading to the sebaceous glands becoming over active and that results in a kind of oil called sebum being produced in high proportions. It is produced by sebaceous glands that travel to the surface of the skin through hair follicles. At the same time, the skin cells block the follicles which results in oil also being blocked. Once these hair follicles are blocked it results in the development of skin bacteria.

The bacteria develop within the hair follicles. This in turn results in swelling of the skin called Acne. Once the hair follicles are partially blocked it results in blackheads and when the follicles are completely blocked they result in whiteheads. Nevertheless, if these plugged follicles are not treated, they burst in due course causing the oil, bacteria and skin cells to spill all over the skin resulting in irritation and formation of pimples.

The acne can be shallow as well as deep in various individuals depending on the nature of skin and the amount of oil produced. There are various causes as to why acne appears. In addition to rising hormone levels due to puberty, it can also be attributed to certain other factors like intake of drugs which contain lithium, barbiturates and corticosteroids. It can also be caused due to excess grease and oil in the scalp.