Definition of Acne

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.

1. 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.

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