Overview of Acne
Acne vulgaris, commonly known as acne or pimples is the most common skin disorder that affects about 80% of the teenagers and about 40–50% of the adult women.1
This condition is characterized by the appearance of whiteheads, blackheads and red pimples.
Acne generally begins to appear when one attains puberty and gradually resolves as he/she completes the teenage. Some women may continue to have acne even during their age 40s and 50s.2 Although the condition is not life-threatening, it causes a significant amount of psychological and social consequences, which may result in poor self-esteem, social inhibition and depression.
Contrary to the belief, acne vulgaris is more common in men than women during adolescence.3
How Acne develops
‘What causes acne’ is a million dollar question for the adolescents who are most bothered about their appearance!
The skin consists of millions of pilosebaceous units; each pilosebaceous contains a hair and an oil gland that helps to keep the skin lubricated. When these units are blocked due to overproduction of the oil, it tends to enlarge and accumulate dust, dirt and bacteria. These enlarged units may be either visible as a whitehead (closed comedone) or as a blackhead (open comedone).
A bacterium called Propionobacterium acnes is responsible for the production of inflammation and pus within these comedones that causes the commonly noted red pimples.2
Acne is triggered by a variety of factors including the following:
Have you heard about “bodybuilders’ acne”? Body builders who use steroids often tend to develop acne. 4
Mechanical obstruction such as due to helmets, shirt collars; occupational exposures and cosmetics may also trigger the formation of acne by blocking the pilosebaceous units on the face. Oil from hair products and sunscreen lotions can also increase the occurrence of acne.5
The good news is that the appearance of acne as popularly believed is not associated with the type of diet, eating chocolates, lack of exercise or hygiene, greasy hair hangingover the face and masturbation.2
Next page: Types of acne
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: July 04, 2011