tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38268140938307569822011-10-03T18:47:15.378-07:00Ron Passfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227464273458065412noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3826814093830756982.post-68622195161062402922009-06-21T02:04:00.000-07:002009-06-21T02:42:08.472-07:00Acne is a kind of catch-all term that basically refers<br />to eruptions on the skin that are caused by the<br />effects of hormones on sebaceous glands.<br /><br />Specifically, in the human body, there are<br />pilosebaceous units (made up of a hair follicle,<br />sebaceous gland, and a hair) everywhere except<br />in the palms of the hands, the soles, the top of the feet,<br />the lower lip; and anywhere there are pilosebaceous<br />units, a pimple or a blackhead can develop.<br /><br />There are more pilosebaceous units on the face, neck,<br />chest, and back, so that's where more pimples and<br />blackheads develop.<br /><br />The dictionary defines acne as: "an inflammatory<br />disease of the sebaceous glands, characterized by<br />comedones and pimples, esp. on the face, back,<br />and chest, and, in severe cases, by cysts and nodules<br />resulting in scarring."<br /><br />So let's talk about the most common terms that<br />you will hear when acne is being discussed and<br />what those terms mean.<br /><br />1. Sebaceous glands: Sebaceous glands produce<br />an oily substance called sebum. These glands are<br />where acne lesions appear on the skin. Sebaceous<br />glands are attached to hair follicles.<br /><br />2. Sebum: Sebum is a substance produced by<br />the sebaceous glands.<br /><br />3. Blackhead: A blackhead is an acne lesion that is<br />not inflamed. It is filled only with excess oil and<br />dead skin cells. Blackheads are also sometimes referred<br />to as "open comedomes" because the surface of the skin<br />is opened rather than closed.<br /><br />4. Hair Follicle: A hair follicle is a tiny shaft in the skin<br />that a hair grows through. Sebum is excreted from<br />sebaceous glands to the surface of the skin through<br />a hair follicle.<br /><br />5. Whitehead: A whitehead is an acne lesion that forms<br />when oil and skin cells block the opening of a hair follicle.<br />Sometimes whiteheads are called "closed comedomes."<br /><br />Lots of other terms are used when acne and its causes<br />and cures are being discussed. These are only the very<br />simple, basic terms.<br /><br />***********************************************<br />For further information, visit my Squidoo lens:<br /><a href="http://www.squidoo.com/acne-treatment-help">http://www.squidoo.com/acne-treatment-help</a><br /><br />***********************************************<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3826814093830756982-6862219516106240292?l=heal-acne-naturally.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Ron Passfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06227464273458065412noreply@blogger.com0