Acne

Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disease of the skin, caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units. Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples, spots or zits.

The condition is most common in puberty, especially among Western societies most likely due to a higher genetic predisposition. It is considered an abnormal response to normal levels of the male hormone testosterone. The response for most people diminishes over time and acne thus tends to disappear, or at least decrease, after one reaches their early twenties. There is, however, no way to predict how long it will take for it to disappear entirely, and some individuals will continue to suffer from acne decades later, into their thirties and forties and even beyond. Acne affects a large percentage of humans at some stage in life.

The most common form of acne is known as "acne vulgaris", meaning "common acne." Excessive secretion of oils from the sebaceous glands accompanies the plugging of the pores with naturally occurring dead skin cells blocking hair follicles. The accumulation of these corneocytes in the duct appears to be due to a failure of the normal keratinization process in the skin which usually leads to shedding of skin cells lining the pores. Oil secretions are said to build up beneath the blocked pore, providing a perfect environment for the skin bacteria Propionibacterium acnes and the lipophilic yeast Malassezia to multiply uncontrollably. Under the microscope, however, there is no evidence of pooled trapped sebum. Indeed the oil percolates through the plugged duct onto the surface. In response to the bacterial and yeast populations, the skin inflames, producing the visible lesion. The face, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms are especially affected. The typical acne lesions are: comedones, papules, pustules, nodules and inflammatory cysts. These are the more inflamed form of pus-filled or reddish bumps, even boil-like tender swellings. Non-inflamed 'sebaceous cysts', more properly called epidermoid cysts, occur either in association with acne or alone but are not a constant feature. After resolution of acne lesions, prominent unsightly scars may remain.

There are many products sold for the treatment of acne, many of them without any scientifically-proven effects. Generally speaking successful treatments give little improvement within the first week or two; and then the acne decreases over approximately 3 months, after which the improvement starts to flatten out. Treatments that promise improvements within 2 weeks are likely to be largely disappointing. Short bursts of cortisone, quick bursts of antibiotics and many of the laser therapies offer a quick reduction in the redness, swelling and inflammation when used correctly, but none of these empty the pore of all the materials that trigger the inflammation. Emptying the pores takes months.

A combination of treatments can greatly reduce the amount and severity of acne in many cases. Those treatments that are most effective tend to have greater potential for side effects and need a greater degree of monitoring, so a step-wise approach is often taken. Many people consult with doctors when deciding which treatments to use, especially when considering using any treatments in combination.

...More at Wikipedia

Related Links:

• US National Library of Medicine
• Mayo Clinic

Recent Hope Cube Blog Entries For Acne

• FINALS!!!! Wed, January 23, 2008 - [view]
  Finals week!!! 2 more days and we're done, i can do this.. i think.  Finals are not good for my skin.  Just 2 more days and I'll start taking care of my face.  Breaking out again =/  really can't help it.  What it all comes down to is grades or good skin?  I have to pick grades first. =( sad but no choice.  Anyways, gotta go back to study.  For people who's having finals right now, GOOD LUCK.  I know I will need it.  
• It seems to be getting worse. Sun, November 04, 2007 - [view]
  My acne, that is. It's breaking out all over my face. D:
• Tetracycline antibiotics Mon, October 01, 2007 - [view]
  I have stomachs often especially after I started taking Tetracycline antibiotics for my acne. I never care if having upset stomach is the side effect of the antibiotics because it’s controlling my acne problem. Even though I see little result, I still get breakouts and those really stubborn ones. This is after 6 months on Tetracycline! Now I think it’s affecting my vision. I can’t see clearly of what’s written on the blackboard in class and it takes longer for me to focus on my notes and then the blackboard. I just checked on wikipedia that mention one the side effects from Tetracycline is vision problem. This vision problem may be a sign of a bigger problem called secondary intracranial hypertension, also known as benign intracranial hypertension (BIH). ...
• life sux Wed, August 22, 2007 - [view]
  Going to a party this weekend and a nasty zit appeared on my chin. Don't feel like going anymore. I just want to stay home with my head in the pillow. I know everyone is going to stare at it if I go... Yes, I get very cranky when I get one of these monster volcano. After getting cranky, I'll be depressed for the rest of week. What a horrible way to end my summer. Sorry for ranting. X_X just got to get it out of my chest.
• Antibiotics Wed, August 15, 2007 - [view]
  My doc prescribed me some antibiotics for my acne called Doxycycline. I was told by the pharmacist to not eat any dairy 2 hours prior to taking the medication and I also can't have dairy for 2 hours after taking the medication. This is difficult for me because I love all things dairy so its hard for me to find the time to actually take the medicine. I've decided that I cant have dairy after 8pm giving me time in the morning to eat my cereal with milk, time in the afternoon for anything with cheese, and time in the evening for dinner with a dairy product and perhaps a dessert (and I so love my desserts). This is still difficult especially if I want a late-night frozen yogurt run, meaning I'd have to wait quite a while before sleeping to take my medicine. I'm glad to say that the schedule...