Information on Acne Vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is a common skin disorder affecting at least 85 percent of adolescents and young adults. This disorder is often dismissed by the medical community and general population as a superficial affliction associated with growing up, however scientific evidence has illustrated that the effects of this condition are far more than skin deep. This brief review of relevant scientific literature discusses the potential effect of acne beyond its dermatological manifestations.

Acne vulgaris, or acne, is a skin problem that starts when oil and dead skin cells clog up your pores. Some people call it blackheads, blemishes, whiteheads, pimples, or zits. When you have just a few red spots, or pimples, you have a mild form of acne. Severe acne can mean hundreds of pimples that can cover the face, neck, chest, and back. Or, it can be bigger, solid, red lumps that are painful (cysts).

Acne develops most often on the face, neck, chest, shoulders, or back and can range from mild to severe. It can last for a few months, many years, or come and go your entire life. Mild acne usually causes only whiteheads and blackheads. At times, these may develop into an infection in the skin pore (pimple). Severe acne can produce hundreds of pimples that cover large areas of skin. Cystic lesions are pimples that are large and deep. These lesions are often painful and can leave scars on your skin.

Acne vulgaris is a disorder characterized by pimples. Caused by the increase in sebum release from the sebaceous glands of the skin, it usually affects teenagers and young adults. The condition is associated with infection and blockage of secretions from the skin (sebaceous) glands. Most often the pimples appear on the face, neck, chest, shoulder and upper portion of the back.

Sometimes acne needs treatment with stronger medications or a combination of therapies. Deeper blemishes, such as nodules and cysts, are more likely to leave scars. As a result, your doctor may give you oral antibiotics sooner to start the healing process. Inflammatory acne may need a combination of several therapies.

Acne vulgaris is common and affects nearly all adolescents and adults at some time in their lives. Although overall health is not impaired, acne is not a trivial disease; it can produce cutaneous and emotional scars that last a lifetime. Numerous psychological problems stem from acne, even resulting in decreased employability in adulthood. Fortunately, acne is eminently treatable, and this review provides an outline of current treatments.

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) and other bacteria on the skin and within the follicles produce bacterial lipases (enzymes) that move into the follicle openings and convert sebum into free fatty acids, which irritates the follicle linings. This irritation causes excessive production of cells and cellular debris, which blocks the follicles and traps P. acnes bacteria inside.

Nodules: As opposed to the lesions mentioned above, nodules are much larger, can be quite painful, and can sometimes last for months. Nodules are large, hard bumps under the skin's surface. Scarring is common. Absolutely do not attempt to squeeze such a lesion. You may cause severe trauma to the skin and the lesion may last for months longer than it normally would. Dermatologists often have ways of lessening swelling and preventing scarring.