What is Acne?

Acne is a skin condition caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units (the hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland). Severe acne is inflammatory, but it can also manifest in noninflammatory forms under the skin. Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples or zits.  The face and upper neck are the most commonly affected, but the chest, back and shoulders may be affected as well.

CAUSES

Acne is an extremely common skin condition that develops when hair follicles on the face become clogged with dead skin cells and oil.

Besides your face, acne can appear on your upper back, shoulders, chest, and forehead. The reason acne strikes in these areas is that they have the most sebaceous glands, also known as oil glands, than other parts of the body. Hair follicles and oil glands remain permanently connected. Bacteria and inflammation present in the body can also lead to an acne outbreak.

TYPES

The term acne is appropriate when you have five or more pimple outbreaks per month. You can have a combination of any of these types of acne:

  • Blackheads: Named after the color they produce, blackheads contain oil and dead skin cells and are open to the surface. The reaction of oil to air is what causes this type of acne to turn black.
  • Papules: Papules are small pink or red bumps that have become inflamed. They can feel sensitive to touch.
  • Pustules: This is another type of inflamed pimple. They look like whiteheads except they have a ring around the bump that contains yellow or white pus.
  • Whiteheads: This type of acne has a closed surface and is white in appearance. Whiteheads develop when oil and skin cells clog pores and prevent them from opening.

 

Treatment & Prevention

There are numerous ways to treat acne, and typically a combination of treatments is required. For the most effective treatment, medical history and examination of the acne lesions to determine their exact nature is required.

 

While acne cannot be prevented nor cured, there are treatments to help lessen the severity of the acne and avoid scars. Among the most common treatments are:

  • Over-the-counter topical medications containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid
  • Topical antibiotics
  • Topical retinoids
  • Oral medications (oral antibiotics and retinoids)
  • Hormonal therapies
  • Corticosteroids

 

There are also a number of procedures that can be used to control or treat acne symptoms and scarring, such as chemical peels, acne surgery, and microdermabrasion.

woman with acne looking in mirror

FAQs

Who is affected by acne?

Acne is most common during adolescence, affecting more than 85% of teenagers, and frequently continues into adulthood. For most people, acne diminishes over time and tends to disappear—or at the very least decrease—after one reaches his or her early twenties. There is, however, no way to predict how long it will take to disappear entirely, and some individuals will continue to suffer well into their thirties, forties and beyond.

How can I effectively treat acne?

There are several acne treatments recommended by dermatologists that include oral medications, topical creams, laser therapies, and chemical peels to reduce and in some cases, completely eliminate acne. If you wish to treat your acne, make an appointment with one of our board-certified dermatologists who will diagnose your acne type and discuss a treatment plan that is right for you. Please note that most treatments are considered cosmetic and therefore are not covered by insurance plans.

Your Best Skin Awaits

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Our team provides thoughtful, expert care for all your skin health needs. We are proud to offer the most advanced general, surgical, and cosmetic dermatological services in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions.

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