Acne is a disorder of hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Acne causes obstruction of the sebaceous glands, which results in the appearance of acne (pimples) and cysts.
This condition is very common: almost 17 million people in America suffer from it. Acne usually appears at puberty. At that stage, the levels of male sex hormones (androgens) increase in both men and women, and cause the sebaceous glands become more active, resulting in increased production of sebum.
How is acne?
The sebaceous glands produce oil (sebum) which normally comes through the hair follicles to the skin surface. However, skin cells can clog follicles and blocking the oil coming from the sebaceous glands. When follicles become plugged, skin bacteria (called Propionibacterium acnes or P. acnes) begin to multiply in the follicle and cause inflammation. Acne develops as follows:
The incomplete blockage of the hair follicle causes black spots (a black cap, semi-solid).
Complete blockage of the hair follicle causes white spots (a white plug, semi-solid).
Infection and irritation causes white spots from forming.
Eventually, the plugged follicle bursts and oil spills, epithelial cells and bacteria on the skin surface. As a result, the skin becomes irritated and start to develop acne or injury. The basic lesion caused by acne called comedo.
Acne can be superficial (pimples without abscesses) or deep (when the pressure to make inflamed pimples under the skin, causing the formation of pus-filled cysts that, when broken, cause the formation of larger abscesses).