What is acne?

Acne, what we call pimples, can be a painful and socially embarrassing skin condition.  While acne occurs mostly in teenagers, it can also occur in infants, adults, and sometimes even the elderly. Comedones are the key feature of acne. Comedones are commonly known as blackheads (open comedones) and whiteheads (closed comedones). Pustules, nodules, and cysts can also occur and can at times lead to scarring. The most common type of acne suffered by teenagers and young adults is called acne vulgaris. In most patients, acne vulgaris usually resolves without treatment by age 30. However, acne can often lead to scarring which can be difficult and costly to treat. Those who notice scarring in relation to acne should seek expert care as soon as possible to receive appropriate treatment. Acne treatments offered will vary depending on numerous factors, which is why it is essential that patients are assessed in context of medical history and skin type.

The oil producing machinery (sebaceous glands) in your skin is the primary problem in acne vulgaris. For various reasons, these glands produce more oil than necessary which then mixes with dead skin cells in the pores causing them to clog. This leads to the appearance of the blackhead. When bacteria called P. acnes grows in this suitable environment, inflammation occurs leading to red spots, pustules, whiteheads, nodules and cysts. When the inflammation is too great for the skin to cope with, this leads to scarring. It is for this reason that appropriate acne treatments are implemented early in the course acne.