Acne
What is acne?
Acne is a disorder of the hair follicle and sebaceous gland. Acne is most common in adolescents and young adults with up to 85% of 16-18 year olds affected. Acne is also very common in adults and can persist for many years.
What causes acne?
A number of factors can contribute to acne. These include:
- Hormones
- Genetics
- Diet
- Stress
- Infection
- Blockage of the sebaceous gland/follicle
How does acne present?
Acne can present in many different ways. It is most commonly seen on the face, neck, chest and back as these areas have a higher number of sebaceous (oil) glands.
Common subtypes of acne include:
- Open and closed comedones (blackheads and whiteheads)
- Inflammatory papules and pustules
- Cysts
What treatments are available for acne?
There are a number of treatment options for acne and treatment should be tailored to the severity, location and subtype of the acne . Dermatologists are specifically trained to manage all subtypes of acne, particularly more severe cases associated with scarring.
Treatment options include:
- Topical treatments (eg creams, washes and lotions)
- Oral antibiotics
- Oral contraceptive pills
- Isotretinoin
- LED therapy