Acne is a dermatological condition whereby hair follicles and sebaceous glands in the skin become inflamed. This inflammation can manifest itself in various ways: whiteheads, blackheads, red and yellow bumps, spots or blemishes and greasy skin.

Acne can appear anywhere on the body but most commonly affects the face, neck, chest back and arms. The severity of acne can vary enormously but many cases of acne can cause a good deal of pain and embarrassment to the sufferer. Severe acne can also lead to acne scarring, whereby evidence of acne remains long after the acne itself has passed.

Acne can affect anyone of any age but mostly affects those between the ages of 11and 30 years. Having said this, acne can affect children and people in their middle-ages and beyond.

What Causes Acne?

There are many factors which contribute to the onset of acne. The most common cause of acne occurs as a result of puberty, when the sebaceous glands begin to “wake up”: hence the view that acne is a teenage affliction. The sebaceous glands produce an oil to lubricate our skin but if for some reason the oil cannot reach the surface of the skin, the subsequent buildup of oil can cause bacterial growth and lead to inflammation and soreness.

Medicines and drugs can cause or exacerbate acne (specifically drugs that contain certain steroids, bromides or iodides), as can certain industrial chemical irritants, which have been shown to worsen acne. Hormonal imbalances may also play a part in fomenting the onset of acne. It is also generally believed that poor diet can cause acne but studies have suggested otherwise.