Acne Vulgaris (common acne)

Acne Vulgaris, otherwise known as common acne, is a skin condition characterized by localized and inflamed follicles, or pores. Acne can appear on any oil-producing area of the body, yet commonly develops on the face, neck, chest, back and forearm regions. Acne lesions take many visual forms, but are generally classified into two main types:

Non-Inflammatory Acne

Blackheads, a form of non-inflammatory acne, appear as tiny, brown or black plugs of foreign matter within hair follicles. These deposits, or plugs within the follicles, mainly consist of keratin (a natural protein found in hair, nails and skin) and oily secretions from the sebaceous gland. Oxidation then causes the deposits to darken in color. Since blackheads breach the surface of the skin, they are medically referred to as open comedones. Blackheads often remain on the skin for extended periods of time because of their inability to drain and disperse through the skin's surface. Manual extraction is usually required for their removal.

Whiteheads, another form of non-inflammatory acne, typically appear as small, white-colored bumps, or pimples on the skin. The bumps develop after trapped bacteria and sebum form a blockage beneath the skin's surface. A whitehead is considered a closed comedo because the lesion does not break the skin's tissue. Many whiteheads are often invisible to the naked eye, and most can be easily drained with proper care through the skin surface. If left alone, whiteheads and pimples are prone to regression, and usually eliminate themselves through the skin's surface over time.

Inflammatory Acne

Papules are the mildest form of inflammatory acne, and appear as tiny, pink bumps on the surface of the skin. They form when white blood cells begin to collect around sebaceous bacteria and break the follicular wall. This attack on infection causes inflammation and irritation, which can lead to more severe forms of acne if the lesion collapses into nearby pores. Papules are often the first sign of a future pimple.

Pustules are an inflammatory collection of white blood cells that have made their way to the very surface of the skin, often appearing as enlarged and pus-filled bumps. This moderate, often severe, form of acne is otherwise known as the common "zit."

Nodules and Cysts are the most severe forms of inflammatory acne and are the most painful. These lesions are usually painful to the touch, and appear as rather large and swollen red bumps on the surface of the skin. Nodules and Cysts contain pus and sebaceous matter that has ruptured deep within the follicle walls. The infections are known to last weeks and months, and are extremely prone to scarring.

CAUSE: Acne Vulgaris is caused by a blockage of keratin and sebum in follicles (pores) due to overactive sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands are responsible for the production of sebum, naturally occurring oil within the body. Any enlargement of the glands, or increase in sebum and dead skin cells can affect the onset of acne. Hormonal activity in the adrenarche stage of maturing adrenal glands is a common cause of acne seen in young adults during puberty. An accumulation of bacteria in the pores, skin irritation or scratching, stress, hereditary factors and other forms of hormonal activity, such as menstrual cycles, also play a crucial role in the development of common acne.

TREATMENT: IPL PhotoFacial, Amino Levulinic Acid Peel (ALA), LED Blue Spectrum, Isolaz™, Beta-Hydroxy Acid Peel, Jessner Peels, Alpha-Hydroxy Acid Peel, Microcurrent, Microdermabrasion with infused Salicylic, skincare products with antimicrobials, oral antibiotics, hormonal treatments, topical retinoids and oral retinoids.