May 23, 2025
Acne is a common condition that affects the population around the world. It refers to a chronic inflammation of sebaceous hair follicles. These follicles are androgen-dependent and connected to big sebaceous (oily) glands. This type of follicle is present on the face, chest, shoulders, and back, explaining the distribution of the acne lesions.
It is common during puberty with the activation of the sebaceous glands, but it can occur at any age. While this is not a dangerous condition, it does leave scars on the skin.
In this blog, you will know more about the acne problem, its root cause, symptoms, how to diagnose it, and the proper treatment options.
Our skin has pores that are connected to the oil glands present under the skin. The glands produce Sebum, which is an oily liquid. It is the carrier of dead skin cells from hair follicles to the skin. Through every follicle, hair grows out of the skin.
There is an underlying genetic predisposition. Accordingly, acne affects some families more than others.
At puberty, androgen-sensitive hair follicles show a hyper-responsiveness that results in increased abnormal sebum secretion. This abnormal sebum leads to increased thickness of the canal between the sebaceous gland and the outside. A process called hyperkeratosis of the pathway of sebum. These result in the formation of the primary lesion, the comedones. They are either open black heads or closed white heads.
The bacteria increase abruptly at puberty due to increased sebum secretions. They secrete many chemicals (inflammatory mediators) leading to inflammatory lesions of acne, such as inflamed papules, pustules (pimples with pus inside the product of interaction between bacteria and immune cells), nodules (raised pimples), or cysts (with clear fluid inside).
Acne generally appears on the face, chest, back, and shoulders at the age of puberty. It can affect males and females equally. Symptoms may include:
It is often easy for the dermatologist to look at your skin and diagnose acne. It involves examination of your chest, back, face and other places for sore nodules or blackheads.
The type of treatment suggested to any patient depends on the severity of their acne:
It can be categorized into:
The proper treatment in these cases is only systemic treatment, given by the dermatologist only under monitoring with certain precautions.
Effective acne treatment works by reducing oil production, boosting skin cell turnover, and combating bacteria to reduce inflammation, which helps prevent scarring. Achieving complete clearance and healthier skin may take a long time. You need to be patient and adhere to your follow-up appointments with your dermatologist to get the proper results of acne treatment.
Acne can significantly impact your life in more ways than one. Beyond discomfort and pain, it can leave permanent scars, affecting your confidence and self-esteem. This makes it essential to visit a top dermatologist in Abu Dhabi at Reem Hospital to choose the best treatment available.