Acne FAQ

The following are answers to commonly asked questions about acne, acne prevention, and acne treatments:

What causes acne?

The causes of acne are linked to the changes that take place that cause the sebaceous (oil) glands of the skin to produce more sebum (oil). The hormones with the greatest effect on sebaceous glands are androgens (male hormones), which are present in females as well as males, but in higher amounts in males.

Sebaceous glands are found together with a hair shaft in a unit called a sebaceous follicle. During puberty or in some adults, the cells of the skin that line the follicle shed more rapidly than normal. In people who develop acne, these shed cells along with the increased sebum production can plug the opening of the follicle. The continued production of sebum along with the presence of the normal skin bacteria called P. acnes causes the follicle and possible the surrounding skin to become inflamed. This is the process by which acne lesions, from blackheads to pimples to nodules, are formed.

Who is effected by acne?

Acne effects teens and adults of every size and shape in every country with every ethnic background. Although acne is more prominent in teenagers, affecting an estimated 90%, and 80% of boys and girls respectively, millions of people of all ages are affected by acne each year.

Teenagers are more prone to acne due to an increased production of hormones, especially androgens, which regulate the activity and size of the sebaceous (oil) glands inside follicles. Women are also prone to acne around the time of their mentrual period due to hormone changes. Also anyone using anabolic steroids is more likely to be at risk.

What are the most common types of acne?

Acne vulgaris: Acne vulgaris is the most common form of the condition. Acne vulgaris is what most people think of when they think of spots and zits. The clogging of the hair follicles causes unsightly and sometimes painful skin lesions and pimples. Acne vulgaris ranges in degree from mild to severe and, at its most severe, it can cause scarring.

Acne rosacea: Acne rosacea is an inflammation of the face, neck or chest that results in red, bumpy, oily skin. Acne rosacea usually appears in people aged 30 to 60 and is often accompanied by acne vulgaris often beginning as a short-term condition that can become chronic and cause facial scarring if not treated.

Cystic acne: Cystic acne occurs when the infected contents of a pustule or pimple erupts beneath the skin and is one of the most severe forms of acne. The body's natural defenses then try to fight the infection, leading to swelling and pain and often causing facial scarring. While it usually occurs spontaneously, cystic acne can be caused by scratching and picking at pimples.

I wash my face several times a day. Why do I still get acne?

This is one of the biggest misconceptions because many people believe that acne is caused by dirt. The truth is that washing will not clear up or prevent acne. In fact, washing the skin to often or scrubbing it to hard can irritate the skin and actually worsen the acne. Typically you only need to gently wash your face twice a day.

What role does diet play in acne?

This is another very common misconception, but acne is not caused by food. There is no scientific evidence that suggests food causes or influences acne. But, you should avoid any foods which seem to worsen your acne and, for your overall health, eat a balanced diet.

Can stress cause acne?

Stress is commonly blamed for the development of acne. Stress can have many physiologic effects on the body, including changes in hormones that may theoretically lead to acne. But, if the acne is being treated effectively, stress is not likely to have much impact on the majority of people.

Does the sun help acne?

While exposure to the sun can temporarily improve your acne outbreaks, exposure to the sun can dry out and irritate your skin to the point that acne begins to worsen. Not only that but long term exposure to the sun greatly increases your risk of skin cancer and causes early aging of the skin. Many acne treatments will increase your skin's sensitivity to UV light, making sun exposure even more risky.What kind of cosmetics and cleansers can I use?

Look for "noncomedogenic" cosmetics and toiletries. These products have been formulated so that they will not cause acne.

What is the best way to treat acne?

Acne is a very personalized infliction and must be treated on an individual basis. A treatment that works great for someone else may have little effect on your acne. It is best to see a dermatoligist that help select the best treatments for you.

Is it harmful to squeeze or pop my blemishes?

You should never pick or squeeze your acne lesions. This can lead to additional infection because it forces the infected material deeper into the skin. This will prolong the amount of time for the lesion to heal and increase the possibility of scarring.

Can anything be done about acne scars?

It is best to prevent scarring by treating the acne early on. If you already have scarring, dermatologists can use various methods to reduce the scars. These treatments must always be individualized for the specific patient and include chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser abrasion, and other treatments.

How long before I see a visible result from using my acne treatment?

The time for improvement depends upon the product being used, but in almost all cases it is more a matter of weeks or months instead of days. Most dermatologists would recommend the use of a medication or combination of medications daily for 4 to 8 weeks before they would change the treatment. It is very important for patients to be aware of this time frame so they do not become discouraged and discontinue their acne treatments.