Acne is an inflammatory disease affecting the oil glands of the face, back, and chest. It usually starts during adolescence but it can persist in some people well into adulthood. It takes many forms, such as blackheads, cysts, pimples, and whiteheads.

Acne can be relatively minor, with just a few occasional pimples, or it can be severe, with large patches of pimples. Severe cases can result in scarred, pitted skin. There are no ill effects on a person’s physical health but psychological stress can occur, especially in young people.

Acne occurs when the skin’s pores (another name for follicles) become clogged. Bacteria begin to grow in the pore and sebum (oil) that would normally drain to the skin is trapped below the surface. If the follicle does not rupture, a whitehead or blackhead can form. A whitehead forms when the sebum and bacteria stay below the skin’s surface. A blackhead occurs when the pore opens up to the skin surface and the sebum oxidizes and turns black. Many people mistakenly think blackheads are dirt, but they are actually oil and bacteria.

If the follicle ruptures, red bumps and white-topped pustules appear. These are what we call pimples and they indicate that the body is having an inflammatory response to the trapped oil and bacteria under the skin.

Regular cleansing and topical medicated creams are often used to keep the pores clear. In persistent cases, oral medications including oral contraceptives can be prescribed. Chemical peels, acne photodynamic treatment and microdermabrasion may also prove effective. Every patient responds differently so a dermatologist will have to find a treatment or combination of treatments that work for each patient.