Acne - An Introduction

Acne is a very common skin condition that usually develops around the teenage years, but may also be found in adults of virtually any age as well as pre-teen children. Cases of acne can range from very mild and barely noticeable to very prevalent and highly visible. Acne, while not life-threatening, often has a very big impact on self-esteem and can lead to scarring and even disfigurement in severe cases.

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What causes Acne?

Acne is caused by an over stimulation of the oil glands in the skin, usually caused by hormones. The oil or sebum is made by the sebaceous glands, which are found at the bottom of the hair follicles in the skin. The sebum normally drains out of the follicles and is simply washed off the face. When the follicle becomes clogged with sebum or dead skin cells the sebum cannot drain from the follicle. The resulting plug of sebum is a prime area for the Propionibacterium acnes, a form of bacteria, to start to grow. As the bacterium grows the body naturally sends white blood cells to try to fight the infection. The resulting inflammation pushes the plug or comedo to the surface of the skin where it becomes noticed as a pimple or a lesion.

A blackhead is caused when the sebum pushes the plug to the surface and the plug turns black from chemical oxidation. A whitehead is caused when the comedo, or sebum plug, stays beneath the thin layer of skin cells that covers the follicle. There are also different kinds of acne and the most common are:

• Nodules – solid and very noticeable bumps that are deep in the skin. These nodules are often very painful and may become red and swollen.
• Cysts – these are very deep, like nodules, but are more open like a lesion. They are usually filled with pus rather than with a solid like a nodule.
• Papules – very small and dense inflamed skin patches that appear almost rash-like.

Acne, if untreated, can lead to scarring and permanent disfigurement in extreme conditions. There are new medications that can be used to treat the skin surface as well as medications that can be taken orally to help correct the problem. Getting assistance from a dermatologist is usually the first step in managing acne and working to reduce future outbreaks and infections.

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Many people incorrectly believe that acne is just a part of hormonal changes within the body and that it is not serious. The reality is the emotional impact of acne is far more significant than the physical aspect. Working towards clean and breakout-free skin is important for people of all ages, and is possible for most individuals provided they seek professional advice.