Acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms.

Acne affects most teenagers to some extent. However, the disease is not restricted to any age group; adults in their 20s - even into their 40s - can get acne. While not a life threatening condition, acne can be upsetting and disfiguring. When severe, acne can lead to serious and permanent scarring. Even less severe cases can lead to scarring.

Signs and symptoms of Acne

Acne typically appears on your face, neck, chest, back and shoulders, which are the areas of your skin with the largest number of functional oil glands. Acne can take the following forms:

Whiteheads. These are created when the openings of hair follicles become clogged and blocked with oil secretions and dead skin.
Blackheads. These are similar to whiteheads, but are open to the skin surface and darken.
Pimples. These are raised, reddish spots that signal inflammation or infection in the hair follicles.
Cysts. These are thick lumps beneath the surface of the skin, which are formed by the buildup of secretions deep within hair follicles.
Pustules. Also called pimples, pustules are inflamed, pus-filled comedones, often red around their edges.
Nodules. These are large, solid and often painful skin lesions that are buried deep in the skin layers.
Rosacea. It is not true acne, but rather an inflammation of the face, neck or chest that results in red, bumpy, oily skin. Acne rosacea usually appears in people aged 30 to 60. It often begins as a short-term condition that can become chronic and cause facial scarring if not treated.

Causes of Acne

The actual cause of acne is unknown. One important factor does seem to be rising levels of the hormones called androgens (male sex hormones) that are found in both boys and girls at the time of puberty. Another factor is heredity or genetics. Acne does seem to run in families. Girls or women may find their acne flares 2 to 7 days before the onset of their menstrual period. Pregnancy, coming on or off birth control pills, and stress can make acne worse. Certain drugs (androgens, lithium, and barbiturates) can cause acne. Physical trauma (squeezing, picking, rubbing, hard scrubbing or pressure from helmets, tight collars, or backpacks), greasy cosmetics, and high humidity can make acne worse. Exactly why some people get acne and some do not is not fully known. It is known to be partly hereditary. Several factors are known to be linked to acne:

Hormonal activity
Hyperactive sebaceous glands
Accumulation of dead skin cells
Bacteria in the pores
Skin irritation or scratching of any sort
Anabolic steroids
Birth control pills, however many women have reported reduced acne while on the pill
Those exposed to high levels of chlorine compounds, particularly chlorinated dioxins, often develop severe, long-lasting acne, known as Chloracne.

Acne Home Remedies - Treat your Acne by these herbal home remedies

Wash your face twice a day in warm salty water. This should leave your face oil free without aggravating the acne.
Make a paste by mixing honey and cinnamon powder. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. Repeat for two weeks, pimples will disappear forever.
Make orange peel paste by grinding it in some water. Apply on and around pimples.
Apply a paste of fresh methi (fenugreek) leaves over the face every night for 10-15 minutes and washed with warm water. This will prevent acne, pimples, blackheads, and wrinkles.
Apply a paste of ground seasame seeds with water as poultice for inflammation of the skin due to allergies, skin rashes, and pimples.
Make a paste of ground orange peel with water. Apply on affected area. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.
Apply fresh lemon juice on the affected area overnight. Wash off with warm water next morning.
Apply fresh mint juice over the face every night for the treatment of acne, pimples, insect stings, eczema, scabies, & other skin infections.
Ice down the acne before bed, by morning it should be noticeably less swollen. Works best on larger pimples that have not yet formed a head.
Apply juice of raw papaya (including the skin and seed) on swelling acne, pimples.
Apply fresh lime juice mixed to a glass of boiled milk as a face wash for acne, pimples, blackheads, and cracked skin.
Apply ripe Tomatoes pulp on acne, pimples and kept up to 1 hour, then wash.
Make a paste of roasted & powdered pomgranate skin with fresh lime juice and apply over acne, boils, pimple, blackheads and whiteheads.

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