
Acne Fact Sheet
What is acne?
- Acne occurs when the pores of the skin become clogged with oil.
- Bacteria become trapped in the pore and irritate the skin and hair follicle.
- The irritation around the plugged pore and hair follicle forms a red bump called Acne.
- A black plug, or blackhead, is formed when the dead skin comes to the surface.
Who gets acne?
- Acne affects almost all teens..
- It begins around puberty when the body produces more hormones called androgens, which make the oil glands produce more oil.
Are there degrees of acne?
- Acne can range from mild to severe.
- When severe, it often results in scarring.
- Squeezing or popping pimples forces the oil and bacteria into deeper layers of skin and can cause cystic acne and scarring.
What contributes to acne?
- Changes in hormone levels
- Family history
- Hot, humid climate
- Oily make up
- Rubbing and irritating the skin
- Stress
What helps to reduce acne?
- Having a healthy diet and regular exercise helps overall skin health, specific foods, such as fatty foods and chocolate, probably do not make acne worse.
- Touching or squeezing blemishes can increase redness and scarring and should be avoided.
- Using skin care products labelled “nonacnegenic”, “noncomedogenic”, “oil free” or “will not clog pores” can help.
- Rubbing alcohol will not help acne and may cause irritation.
- Keeping hair off the forehead makes your skin less oily.
- Keeping hands and telephone off of the face reduces acne.
How is acne Treated?
- Use a mid-soap and wash the skin gently. Frequent or hard washing will damage the skin and cause more inflammation.
- Medicine can be bought without a prescription (2.5-10% benzoyl peroxide) and applied to the skin (topically).
- Acne medicines should be applied to the entire area where the break-out occurs, not just on the individual blemishes.
- If this does not work, a doctor can be contacted.
- There are many medications for acne, including antibiotics and some birth control pills, that require a prescription from your doctor.
Always Consult a Qualified Skin Specialist ( Dermatologist) with the following Qualification MBBS, MD/ DDVL/ DNB Degree.
Dr. Vijaya Veeranna Sajjan
Associate Professor Department of Dermatology
MBBS, DDVL, DNB