ABSTRACT
ACNE AND ITS CAUSES Acne is a common skin disorder that arises from pilosebaceous unit dysfunction, which consists of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland. Acne aects approximately 85% of individuals between the ages of 12 to 24 years. Typically, it rst manifests at puberty, when increasing androgen levels activate the sebaceous glands, which begin producing sebum. As androgen levels continue to rise, sebaceous glands become hypertrophic, and the amount of sebum greatly increases. Sebum is a powerful inammatory agent that leads to the more severe forms of acne and scarring when produced in excess. Sebum also disturbs the maturation of keratinocytes (dyskeratosis) by inducing epidermal inammation. ese two factors-increased sebum production and the dyskeratotic keratinocytes-cause occlusion of pores and the subsequent appearance of whiteheads. When the trapped material in the pores oxidizes and turns dark, whiteheads appear as blackheads. Blackheads are commonly seen in areas with enlarged pores, such as the nose. e immune system’s response to the excessive sebum on the skin surface, together with the trapped sebum in the hair follicle and the bacterial ora (Propionibacterium acnes), leads to the appearance of inammatory cystic lesions that involve the dermis
DISORDERS AND TREATMENTS
and lead to acne scars. e severity of inammation leads to the spread of acne lesions and the formation of pustules, inammatory nodules, and more cysts.
