What is acne vulgaris?

Acne vulgaris, more commonly referred to simply as acne, is a skin condition that affects between 75% and 95% of the adolescent population of Westernized societies. However, the condition affects approximately 40% to 54% of adults older than 25 years to some degree, as well.

Acne can cause both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions to appear anywhere on the body, but mostly in areas with increased oil glands, such as the face, shoulders, chest, back and arms.

The non-inflammatory lesions, called comedones, include whiteheads and blackheads and occur when skin pores become clogged with dead skin cells and oil. Whiteheads are comedones that are closed on the skin’s surface, whereas blackheads are comedones that are open on the skin’s surface.

Inflammatory lesions on the skin can include cysts, papules, nodules and pimples. Cysts that occur during acne vulgaris are filled with pus and look like boils on the skin. Papules are small red bumps usually caused by inflammation of the hair follicles. Nodules are lumps under the skin that can be painful and are caused by discharge from hair follicles. More severe forms of acne can scar the skin.

Acne may resolve on its own, but if the condition worsens or appearance is a concern, a dermatologist may prescribe topical creams or antibiotics to reduce oil production. For women, oral contraceptives can also reduce the production of oil in the skin.

Other ways to reduce acne can include light therapy or more aggressive treatments such as microdermabrasion, soft tissue fillers or chemical peels to remove scarring.

Reference:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001876/.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/basics/definition/con-20020580.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3088940/.

http://archderm.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=479093.