Acne Vulgaris: What Do Doctors Have to Say?

Virtually prevailing in teenage years, acne vulgaris disturbs both males and females, although males tend to suffer more severely. Acne is noticed in all races, but it is said to be milder in Asian men and women. And what doctors have to say about this universal follicular disorder? We have asked the skin experts on what really accounts for acne formation.

Acne is believed by doctors to occur among adolescents as a result of hormonal variations and aberrations of maturation of hair follicle when young girls and boys go through body changes. Hair follicles are very active during adolescence since they play a major part on hair growth among teenagers.

Acne is classified by doctors into non-inflammatory and inflammatory types, even though both may coexist. Non-inflammatory acne is consist of open and closed comedones – a thickened discharge blocking a skin channel. Open comedones consist of small elevation follicles containing somewhat like a “black plug” in the middle. This black color is not dirt trapped inside but the result of oxidation of melanin pigment. Closed comedones are also small follicle elevation but without the “black plug”. Inflammatory acne, on the other hand, is characterized by reddish nodes, hair follicle elevation and blisters containing pus.

The pathogenesis of acne is incompletely explained. Doctors believe that endocrine factors have been associated with acne formation because castrated persons are noticed to have never developed the condition. Although this situation does not appear to be the only causative factor, doctors say that special enzymes of bacteria called “bacterial lipases” contained in acne break down sebaceous oils, discharging highly irritating fatty acids in the process. This course results in the inflammation phase of acne. The said process is the rationale why doctors prescribed antibiotics on severe inflammatory cases because they aim for the inhibition of lipase production. Doctors also approved the synthetic vitamin A derivative called isotretinoin which they observed to bring about remarkable clinical improvement in cases of severe acne among their clients.

Skin experts also emphasized the ability of several factors to exacerbate clinical features of acne. Drugs such as corticosteroids, contraceptives, gonadotropins, trimethadione and bromides are believed to induce inflammation and rupture of hair follicles. Also, work-related exposure to chemicals such as cutting oils, chlorinated hydrocarbons and coal tars may also cause skin irritation and reddish nodules. Moreover, doctors’ advice includes redeeming yourself from occlusive conditions such as heavy clothing and tropical climates. Additionally, doctors are proposing a heritable factor as some families seem to be particularly disturbed by acne.

Doctors finally reiterate and give emphasis to the saying “prevention is better than cure”. They believe that taking care of your skin by eating healthy and cleansing regularly will always make a difference.

Tags: acne, Acne Causes, what is acne