What Is Acne?

Acne is the most common skin condition in America, with over 85% of teens--and many adults, as well--experiencing breakouts at least occasionally. Acne is linked to the sebaceous glands, which produce sebum (or oil). These glands are attached to hair follicles (see diagram at right). Acne occurs when excess sebum, skin cells from a hair follicle's lining and skin proteins clump together, plugging up the opening of a follicle so sebum cannot reach the surface of the skin. Plugged follicles can take the form of either "whiteheads," where the plugged follicle remains beneath the skin's surface, or "blackheads," where the plug in the follicle extends to the skin's surface and becomes visible.

Once a follicle becomes plugged, it creates an ideal environment for a common sebum-eating skin bacterium, Propionibacterium acnes (or just P. Acnes), to multiply. This bacterium produces enzymes and chemicals that irritate and inflame the skin around a clogged follicle. "Pimples," "breakouts," or "zits" are common names for the lesions that result from this type of skin irritation and inflammation, though doctors have more precise ways of classifying acne lesions.

For most people, acne is a generally mild condition. Of course, a pimple at the wrong time is never desirable, but in truth, there are far more concerning issues than acne. For some people, however, severe cases can result in permanent scarring if left untreated.

Proceed to our next topic to find out What Causes Acne?