Acne Treatments
What is acne?
Acne is a very common skin condition characterised by comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) and pus-filled spots (pustules). It usually starts at puberty and varies in severity. Acne can be a serious problem which may be embarrassing, causing scarring and a lack of self confidence. It does tend to resolve by the late teens or early twenties but can persist for longer. Acne can also develop for the first time in people who are in their late twenties or thirties and can occasionally occur in young children.
What is the cause of acne?
Acne bacterium (known as Propionibacterium acnes) lives on everyone's skin, usually causing no problems, but in those prone to acne, the build up of oil creates an ideal environment in which these bacteria can multiply. The sebaceous (oil-producing) glands of people prone to acne are particularly sensitive to a hormone called testosterone, which is present in both men and women. This causes the glands to produce an excess of oil. At the same time, the dead skin cells lining the pores are not shed properly which can clog follicles. These two effects result in a build up of oil producing blackheads and whiteheads.