About acne

Acne (acne vulgaris) is one of the most common skin conditions in the world: up to 650 million people suffer from this condition, and almost anyone can be affected.

Acne causes spots, known as lesions, to appear on different parts of the body, though commonly on the face. Acne usually develops when people reach puberty and skin glands become plugged with increasing amounts of sebum (a naturally-occurring substance, which normally helps to protect the skin) and dead skin cells. This combined with acne-associated strains of C. acnes, a skin bacterium, may cause inflammation of the gland leading to the development of acne lesions.

Up to 85% of 12–24 years olds experience acne. However, hormone changes and stress can also trigger acne in adults.

Acne can be mild, moderate or severe, and waiting for acne to clear up on its own can be frustrating. The longer acne is present, the higher the likelihood is of acne scars developing.

References:

Vos T et al. Years lived with disability (YLDs) for 1160 sequelae of 289 diseases and injuries 1990–2010: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. The lancet. 2012 Dec 15;380(9859):2163-96.

American Academy of Dermatology. 2012. Hormonal factors key to understanding acne in women. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.aad.org/media/news-releases/hormonal-factors-key-to-understanding-acne-in-women. [Accessed October 2019].

Bhate K et al. Epidemiology of acne vulgaris. British Journal of Dermatology. 2012 Oct 31; 168:474-485.