An Overview of Acne

Acne is a common skin problem that develops when your pores get clogged by oil and dead skin debris. This results in pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads, especially on the face, neck, chest, back, upper arms, and shoulders. Acne is the most frequent skin problem in the United States, especially in teenagers and young adults.

Acne varies in development from very mild to extremely severe. You may have only a few blemishes here and there, or a more extensive breakout. Non-inflamed acne breakouts consist of micro-comedones (blemishes too small to see with the naked eye), blackheads, and milia (white bumps). These types of blemishes aren't red or painful. They may not look like your stereotypical acne blemishes, rather just bumps or bumpiness across the skin's surface or an uneven skin texture.

People with inflammatory acne have papules, pustules, and possibly larger, deeper blemishes like nodules and cysts. Acne can cause redness, swelling, and irritation of the skin, along with possible crusting, oozing, or scabbing breakouts.

Acne is caused by three main factors. People with acne tend to have overactive sebaceous glands—the glands that make your skin's oil. Acne-prone skin doesn't shed dead skin cells as effectively, so the pores can become clogged. Acne-prone skin also has a higher amount of Propionibacteria acnes (bacteria linked to inflamed acne blemishes) within the pores. All breakouts begin as a blocked pore. Blackheads and whiteheads are examples of non-inflamed comedones. As the breakout progresses and bacteria invade, the wall of the hair follicle can rupture within the dermis, creating inflammation and redness.

Androgen hormones, specifically testosterone, significantly influence acne development, especially at puberty. The hormone fluctuations women have during menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and perimenopause also can trigger acne. Other factors that contribute to acne development include oily cosmetics, comedogenic skin care or hair care products, certain drugs such as steroids, and estrogen medications. Acne also tends to run in families. If your parents had acne at any point in their lives, your chance of developing it is higher.

To diagnose acne, a physician will do a simple visual inspection of the skin, rule out other causes, and assign Grade I to IV based on the types of comedones (blackheads), amount of inflammation, breakout severity, how widespread the acne is, and what areas of the body are affected. The grade of acne helps guide the treatment used.

Many people self-diagnose their breakouts as acne and may only see a doctor if their condition is more severe or if it doesn't respond to over-the-counter products. There are many other skin conditions besides acne that also cause pimples or red, bumpy skin. If you're not absolutely sure what you're dealing with is common acne, a trip to the dermatologist or your primary care physician is a good idea.

No matter what type of acne you have, its severity, or at what age you're breaking out, there is an acne treatment out there for you. Over-the-counter topical medications may be used for mild to moderate outbreaks. Although you may think you can clear acne on your own with drugstore products, the reality is most cases need to be seen by a dermatologist and treated with topical prescription medications. Severe types of acne may require prescription oral medications. Procedural treatments such as facials, comedo extractions, and microdermabrasion can be done by estheticians at a salon, while more deep chemical peels, phototherapy, or acne surgery can be done at a dermatology office. 

A Word From Verywell

Acne is a complex problem, but one we are learning more about every day. While there is no cure, nearly every case of acne can be cleared successfully. Your first step should be a trip to the dermatologist. A dermatologist can not only prescribe medication that's the right fit for you but also give you plenty of tips and tricks to help clear your skin. It does take time and patience, which is hard to come by when you feel like your skin is out of control. But stick with it—with the right medication, a bit of time, and consistent treatment, your acne can be cleared.