Acne

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a skin condition of abnormal sebaceous gland function. It mainly affects adolescents but can persist, begin or become more severe in adulthood. Multiple factors influence the development of acne and one or more of the four key factors involved are targeted with treatment. New evidence has emerged showing that acne-prone patients possess a tendency to follicular inflammation before comedone formation. Various topical and systemic agents are available and selection of treatment should be individualised and based on the severity of the condition. The goal of therapy is to reduce the extent of the condition, scarring and psychological distress. The multifactorial pathogenesis of acne appears to be the same in both ethnic and Caucasian patients although Caucasians are more likely to have moderate to severe acne, whereas the ethnic population are prone to worse scarring.