CAUSES OF ACNE

Acne is primarily a problem with the turnover of skin cells within the hair follicles or pores. Due to reduced skin cell shedding there is a build up of dead skin cells within the pores leading to plugging of the pores.

Oil or sebum becomes trapped behind the plug leading to the formation of a “comedone”. These are flesh colored bumps just on the surface of the skin. If there is a small opening in the comedone it will be a “blackhead” because air causes the oil to turn a darker color.

If bacteria are trapped in the pore your body will treat it like an infection and the acne will become inflamed. This means you will see redness or puss (commonly called a “whitehead”). Some people will mount an especially intense response and the acne lesions can get quite large, red and swollen leading to the most severe form of acne called cystic acne. This type of acne is at risk for scarring and requires aggressive treatment.

Hormones play a key role in acne for all people because they influence the amount of oil our oil glands produce. Women especially may need a more thorough evaluation to see if hormones are playing an important role in their acne flares. If women have irregular cycles or acne that flares with the menstrual cycle these indicate acne influenced by hormones. If men or women have acne on the neck and jaw, acne that persists into adulthood, or acne that flares with stress these can also be clues to “hormonal acne”.