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What is acne and what causes it?

Most of us over the age of eleven have experienced acne at some point in our lives. If a definition is wanted, acne is a common dermatological term to describe pimples and cysts that occur on the face, neck and the upper torso including the back, shoulders, and chest. Acne is most commonly occurs in teenagers and young adults, but can affect people well into their forties. Several varieties of acne can occur. The most severe types of acne can result in permanent scarring and disfigurement.

As already noted, acne is probably most common with teens between 12 and 18 years of age. These are usually mild cases easily cleared up by over the counter medications. Acne usually disappears with age and by the early twenties is no longer a problem for most people.

Acne does affect both young men and young women, but there are some differences. Young men are much more likely to suffer from the more severe forms of acne long term. Women tend to have more intermittent bouts with acne related to hormonal changes and cosmetics.

How Acne Develops

Acne is a skin disorder that is usually caused by clogged pores of the skin. Acne lesions start from pilosebaceous units, which consist of hair follicle, hair shaft and sebaceous glands. Pilosebaceous units are found over the entire body except for the palms of hands and bottoms of feet. They are most sense on the face, upper neck, and chest.

Acne generally occurs when the the pilosebaceous canal becomes obstructed. This can happen for various reasons but the chief reason is overproduction of sebum which can clog the pilosebaceous canal.

When sebum is overproduced the follicle wall cell lining also begins to overproduce resulting in excess dead cells. These dead cells along with the additional sebum plug the canal and accumulate there. Bacteria on the skin’s surface can invade the clogged ducts where they attract white blood cells of the body’s immune system. The area becomes red and inflamed due to the interaction between the bacteria and white blood cells. Normally acne begins developing 2-3 weeks before it is visible on the skin’s surface.

Acne can be inflammatory or non-inflammatory. Non-inflammatory acne is called comedo. When a comedo’s pore is closed and the plug remains inside the skin, it is known as a whitehead. These look like small, whitish bumps on the skin surface.

Acne can be inflammatory or non-inflammatory. Non-inflammatory acne is called comedo. When a comedo’s pore is closed and the plug remains inside the skin, it is known as a whitehead. These look like small, whitish bumps on the skin.