Acne vulgaris, or acne, is a skin problem that starts when oil and dead skin cells clog up your pores. Acne develops because of impairments of the functioning of skin glands , notably blocked follicles. Acne vulgaris affects the areas of skin with the densest population of sebaceous follicles; these areas include the face, the upper part of the chest, and the back. Acne occurs when pilosebaceous units become obstructed with plugs of sebum and desquamated keratinocytes, then colonized and sometimes infected with the normal skin anaerobe propionibacterium acnes. Acne vulgaris affects 85-100% of people at some time during their lives. Acne can run in families. Acne vulgaris is common and affects nearly all adolescents and adults at some time in their lives. Acne vulgaris may be present in the first few weeks. The most common trigger is puberty, when surges in androgen stimulate sebum production and hyperproliferation of keratinocytes. Symptoms of acne include whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. These can occur on the face, neck, shoulders, back, or chest. Pimples that are large and deep are called cystic lesions. Cystic acne can be painful; other types cause no physical symptoms but can be a source of significant emotional distress. Lesion types frequently coexist at different stages. Acne vulgaris may also be influenced by genetic factors. Medications that can promote acne include steroids, lithium, some antiepileptics, and iodides. Treatment may improve and even remove acne scars. Trimethoprim is also sometimes used. Isotretinoin is a systemic retinoid that is highly effective in the treatment of severe, recalcitrant acne vulgaris. The common combined oestrogen/progestogen methods of hormonal contraception have some effect, but the anti-testosterone, Cyproterone, in combination with an oestrogen is particularly effective at reducing androgenic hormone levels. Laser surgery has been in use for some time to reduce the scars left behind by acne. Chemabrasion, which uses chemicals to peel away top layers of skin. Certain low-dose birth control pills may help control acne in women who tend to have flare-ups before menstruation. Acne Vulgaris - Prevention and Treatment Tips 1. Laser surgery has been in use for some time to reduce the scars left behind by acne 2. Try not to scrub or pick at your pimples. 3. Rofecoxib was shown to improve premenstrual acne vulgaris in a placebo controlled study. 4. Chemabrasion, which uses chemicals to peel away top layers of skin. 5. Benzoyl peroxide products are also effective against P acnes. 6. Acne conglobata is treated with oral isotretinoin. 7. Phage therapy has been proposed to kill P. acnes.
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