Acne is one of the most common skin complaints. It affects most people during teenage years but not infrequently extends into adult life. Severity ranges from a few spots that settle without any treatment to a severe scarring process. Acne causes not only physical but psychological scars. Fortunately effective treatment is available for acne of all severity.

What Causes Acne?

This is still not fully understood. Hair follicles on the face and trunk have sebaceous (oil) glands that are under the control of androgenic (male) hormones. Normal females produce small amounts of androgenic hormones from ovaries and adrenal glands.

If production of these hormones is too high or if the hair follicles are too sensitive, excess oil is produced. This blocks and stagnates in the follicles causing whiteheads and blackheads.

Bacteria that live on the skin grow in these oils and produce waste products that cause inflammation with red spots (papules) and pustules.

In the worst cases, severe inflammation results in rupture of the follicles and large deep blind nodules and cysts that can cause severe and permanent scarring.

What can I do to treat it?

Washing the face twice daily with a mild soap can be remarkably effective in mild cases

Incorporate preventative treatments into your skin care regimen

Use sunscreens to help reduce the damage to your skin on a daily basis

Acne ranges enormously in severity. The psychological effects should not be underestimated. Fortunately effective treatment is available for all types of acne. While the aim is to treat before scarring occurs, good treatments are available for this aspect too.