Everything You Wanted To Know About Acne
Acne is a localised skin condition that normally only affects the skin in a small area of the body, for example on the face, neck, back and occasionally the chest. There are various types of acne, the most common being acne vulgaris which is the familiar rash that affects many adolescents.
This type of acne is triggered by hormonal changes that occur at puberty and it can start to appear as early as the age of 10. Luckily the rash usually subsides after adolescence however it can persist well into adulthood, making life very unpleasant for sufferers. Other forms of acne include occupational acne, which results from exposure to certain types of industrial oil, and drug-induced acne, which is caused by some prescribed drugs, such as corticosteroids.
Acne vulgaris is caused by the overproduction of sebum, an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands in the skin. Normally, the sebum drains into hair follicles and flows out through the opening of the follicle onto the surface of the skin where it acts to keep the skin supple and lubricated. However, when excess sebum is produced the follicles can become blocked so that a dark plug forms and this is commonly termed a blackhead. In some cases, the follicles can become sealed by an excess of keratin, the tough fibrous protein produced by the cells of the skin and when this happens the sebum trapped underneath the plug hardens into white lumps called white-heads. Either way, the blockage allows bacteria to multiply in the sebum, causing inflammation of the surrounding tissues.
Unfortunately acne is still considered a social taboo in many countries and so over 10% of suffers fail to seek medical help for their condition. It is estimated that around one in every five people suffer with acne at some stage in their life and while the majority of cases are mild to moderate, around 15-20% will be severe enough to cause permanent scarring. In addition, it is estimated that up to 85% of teenagers suffer with acne before they reach adulthood and that 20% of these sufferers take the condition with them into their adult life. There are a number of treatments for acne, many of which focus on control and prevention with self-help measures, such as good hygiene. Occasionally however a sufferer may need to consult a doctor who will often prescribe a topical retinoid cream, such as benzoyl peroxide, which helps to loosen keratin that may be blocking the hair follicles. In addition, the doctor may also prescribe topical antibiotics which successfully treat most cases of mild acne. If these treatments fail then an appointment may be necessary with a dermatologist i.e. a specialist in skin disorders. Unfortunately there is no immediate cure for acne however most major episodes and subsequent scarring can often be prevented if treatment is started at an early age. For individuals who already have scarring from adolescent acne, a cosmetic procedure such as dermabrasion can help to even the skin and dramatically reduce the amount of visible scar tissue.
What Is Acne
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