Common Acne Terms
Acne is a kind of catch-all term that basically refers to eruptions on
the skin that are caused by the effects of hormones on sebaceous glands. Specifically,
in the human body, there are pilosebaceous units (made up of a
hair follicle, sebaceous gland, and a hair) everywhere except in the palms of the
hands, the soles, the top of the feet, the lower lip; and anywhere there are
pilosebaceous units, a pimple or a blackhead can develop.
There are more pilosebaceous units on the face, neck, chest, and
back, so that's where more pimples and blackheads develop.
The dictionary defines acne as: "an inflammatory disease of the
sebaceous glands, characterized by comedones and pimples, esp. on the face, back,
and chest, and, in severe cases, by cysts and nodules resulting
in scarring."
So let's talk about the most common terms that you will hear
when acne is being discussed and what those terms mean.
-
Sebaceous glands: Sebaceous glands produce an oily
substance called sebum. These glands are where acne lesions appear on the skin. Sebaceous
glands are attached to hair follicles.
2. Sebum: Sebum is a substance produced
by the sebaceous
glands.
3. Blackhead: A blackhead is an acne lesion that is not inflamed. It is filled only with
excess oil and dead skin cells. Blackheads are also sometimes referred to as "open comedomes" because the
surface of the skin is opened rather than closed.
4. Hair Follicle: A hair follicle is a tiny shaft in the skin that a hair grows through. Sebum
is excreted from sebaceous glands to the surface of the skin through a hair follicle.
5. Whitehead: A whitehead is an acne lesion that forms when oil and skin cells block the
opening of a hair follicle. Sometimes whiteheads are called "closed comedomes."
Lots of other terms are used when acne and its causes and cures
are being discussed. These are only the very simple, basic terms.
This could be an Acne answer:
http://path.to/CureAcne/
Thank you,
Presented by: Clair
Atwell Ormond Beach, Florida 32174
These statements have not been
evaluated by
the Food and Drug Administration. The information
on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure or prevent any disease. Contact a certified
medical professional before utilizing this information.
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