It affects the hair follicles and the glands that produce skin oil, or sebum, causing clogs in the follicles and the buildup of sebum.
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 80 percent of people between the ages of 11 and 30 develop acne in the United States.
Acne is most common in teenagers, but may affect people of any age.
Although acne typically goes away by age 30, it may persist much longer.
There are many types of acne.
The common form of acne is acne vulgaris, which may be classified according to severity and risk of scarring.
The cause of the contributors to acne and of acne in general is not known.
The overproduction of skin oil, irregular shedding of dead skin cells, buildup of skin bacteria and inflammation or infection may all contribute to the development of acne.
Hormonal changes, family history, allergies, certain chemicals or substances and other factors are also involved in acne development.
Acne lesions include whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, cysts and nodules.
The lesions may occur anywhere on the body, but are most common on the face, neck, chest, shoulders and upper back.
These lesions may leave a variety of different scars, from tiny, deep holes to large, irregular indentations.
The diagnosis of acne is usually obvious.
Acne treatment aims to minimize scarring, prevent further blemishes and improve those already present.
Treatment may be topical, applied directly to the skin, or systemic, such as pills or injections.
The first line of treatment is typically over-the-counter, topical treatments.
If over-the-counter treatments are not effective, the dermatologist may prescribe stronger topical treatments.
Oral antibiotics may be used in cases of moderate to severe acne.
Acne scars may be treated by a number of procedures that remove damaged skin and promote growth of new, smoother skin. Procedures include dermabrasion and laser resurfacing.
Other physical methods of treating acne scars involve loosening or filling the skin beneath the scar and the surgical removal of the scar.
Acne outbreaks and the worsening of current acne may be prevented by gently washing the problem area twice a day, keeping the hair clean, not resting hands and objects on the face, and refraining from picking or squeezing current blemishes.
/doctor_89.jpg "ulcerative colitis tips")