Acne is a common skin disorder that occurs when pores become clogged. It can affect both men and women. Acne most often occurs in teenagers or young adults, but it can occur at any age. In fact, most people in the United States between 11 and 30 years old have acne.
Acne is caused when hair follicles becoming blocked and filled with dead skin and oily secretions (sebum). This blockage allows bacteria to overgrow, which leads to inflammation. Hormones can increase sebum production and may worsen acne.
Other causes of acne include:
Acne commonly occurs on the face, chest and back. Some acne lesions may leave dark spots as they heal, and some may scar. Acne can develop in different ways:
Treatments are aimed at either preventing pores from becoming clogged or killing bacteria that contribute to acne. Treatment plans for acne depend on:
Your dermatologist may use one or a combination of the following treatments:
If you have acne, you should:
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (310) 825-6911.