What is Acne?

The sebaceous glands in our skin naturally produce oil, known as sebum to keep our skin supple. In the normal course of things, our skin also naturally sheds dead skin cells, constantly renewing the skin surface. However, people with acne have sebaceous glands that are particularly sensitive to the hormone testosterone, present in both men and women. This sensitive reaction causes the oil-producing glands to produce an excess of sebum. This combines with the build up of dead skin cells and clogs up the pores. This combination produces non-inflammatory blackheads, known as ‘open comedones’ and whiteheads, known as ‘closed comedones’. The acne bacterium present on everyone’s skin (Propionibacterium acnes or P.acnes), sometimes reacts with the build up of oil and dead skin cells, which causes the bacteria to multiply. This causes inflammation and the formation of the red or pus-filled spots characteristic of acne.

Acne can vary in severity from these spots to inflammatory acne with lesions that are red in color called papules, pustules and nodules. Nodules or cysts are the most advanced and severe form of acne. Nodules result when the contents of a comedone expand from the follicular region to the surrounding tissue causing a local inflammatory reaction that may cause scarring. Causes of acne may include hormones, diet, vitamin deficiency, stress, and more. Each sufferer’s cause may be a combination of these factors. Acne is most common in teenagers, 90% of whom will get some form of acne, however adults in their 20′s, 30′s, 40′s, or older can also develop the condition (known as late onset acne, or adult onset acne). Adult acne affects 25% of all adult men and 50% of adult women at some time in their adult lives. It is common in both men and women, and is present in all ethnic backgrounds, making it one of the most widespread skin conditions in the world. There is no cure for acne, although some treatments can be very effective in preventing the formation of new spots and scarring.