Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people at some point. It causes spots, oily skin and sometimes skin that’s hot or painful to touch. Acne is very common and although it mainly effects teenagers it can also develop in adults. For many people who have acne, the skin disease affects more than their appearance.

Acne can take a toll on one’s emotional health.

Causes

Acne is most commonly linked to the changes in hormone levels during puberty, but can start at any age. Certain hormones cause the grease-producing glands next to hair follicles in the skin to produce larger amounts of oil (abnormal sebum). This abnormal sebum changes the activity of a usually harmless skin bacterium called P. acnes, which becomes more aggressive and causes inflammation and pus. The hormones also thicken the inner lining of the hair follicle, causing blockage of the pores. Cleaning the skin does not help to remove this blockage.

Types of Acne

There are 6 main types of spots caused by acne:

  • Small black or yellowish bumps that develop on the skin; they’re not filled with dirt, but are black because the inner lining of the hair follicle produces colour

  • Have a similar appearance to blackheads, but may be firmer and will not empty when squeezed

  • Small red bumps that may feel tender or sore

  • Similar to papules, but have a white tip in the centre, caused by a build-up of pus

  • Large hard lumps that build up beneath the surface of the skin and can be painful

  • The most severe type of spot caused by acne; they’re large pus-filled lumps that look similar to boils and carry the greatest risk of causing permanent scarring.

Who Can it Affect?

Acne is very common in teenagers and younger adults. About 95% of people aged 11 to 30 are affected by acne to some extent. Acne is most common in girls from the ages of 14 to 17, and in boys from the ages of 16 to 19. Most people have acne on and off for several years before their symptoms start to improve as they get older.Acne often disappears when a person is in their mid-20s. In some cases, acne can continue into adult life. About 3% of adults have acne over the age of 35

Treatment options