Skin Disorder : Acne
- Acne vulgaris (commonly called acne) is a common skin condition, caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units, skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland via androgen stimulation.
- It is characterized by non inflammatory follicular papules or comedones and by inflammatory papules, pustules, and nodules in its more severe forms.
- Severe acne is inflammatory, but acne can also manifest in non inflammatory forms. Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples, blemishes, spots, zits, or acne.
Cause of Acne :
- Acne develops as a result of blockages in follicles. Hyperkeratinization and formation of a plug of keratin and sebum (a microcomedo) is the earliest change.
- Enlargement of sebaceous glands and an increase in sebum production occur with increased androgen (DHEA-S) production at adrenarche.
- The microcomedo may enlarge to form an open comedo (blackhead) or closed comedo (whitehead).
- Whiteheads are the direct result of skin pores becoming clogged with sebum, a naturally occurring oil, and dead skin cells.
- In these conditions the naturally occurring largely commensal bacteria Propionibacterium acnes can cause inflammation, leading to inflammatory lesions (papules, infected pustules, or nodules) in the dermis around the microcomedo or comedo, which results in redness and may result in scarring or hyperpigmentation.
Area Affected :
Acne vulgaris affects the areas of skin with the densest population of sebaceous follicles; these areas include the face, the upper part of the chest, and the back.
Treatment:
There are many products available for the treatment of acne. Generally speaking, successful treatments show little improvement within the first two weeks, instead taking a period of approximately three months to improve and start flattening out.
Work in at least 4 different ways (with many of the best treatments providing multiple simultaneous effects):
1. Normalising shedding into the pore to prevent blockage.
2. Killing Propionibacterium acnes. 3. Anti-inflammatory effects. 4. Hormonal manipulation.