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Common Conditions
Browse through our conditions to learn more about the services we recommend.
Learn MoreBrowse through our treatments for more information on the services we offer and their benefits
Learn MoreBrowse through our conditions to learn more about the services we recommend.
Learn MoreAcne is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition that involves the pilosebaceous unit (hair follicles and oil glands). A variety of spots appear on the face, neck, shoulders, chest and back.
Inflamed papules and pustules are commonly called spots, pimples and zits.
Dark- or skin-coloured papules are comedones. These are better known as blackheads and whiteheads.
Acne can lead to secondary skin colour changes (red, white and brown patches) and scarring.
Acne is most prevalent in those aged 16 to 18 years. It may have profound social and psychological effects, particularly during puberty and adolescence, when physical appearance and fitting in with one’s peers are particularly important.
Book ConsultationThe precise reasons that acne is most severe during the teenage years are being studied. There are several theories.
There are higher levels of sex hormones after puberty than in younger children.
Sex hormones are converted in the skin to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which stimulates sebaceous (oil) glands at the base of hair follicles to enlarge.
The sebaceous glands produce sebum. Changes in sebum composition may lead to acne lesions.
The activated sebaceous gland cells (sebocytes) also produce pro-inflammatory factors including lipid peroxides, cytokines, peptidases and neuropeptides.
Hair follicles are tiny canals that open into skin pores (tiny holes) on the skin surface. The follicles normally carry sebum and keratin(scale) from dead skin cells to the surface. Inflammation and debris leads to blockage of the skin pores – forming comedones.
The wall of the follicle may then rupture creating a gateway for bacteria and exacerbating an inflammatory response.
While acne is most common in adolescents, it can affect people of all ages and all races. It usually becomes less of a problem after the age of 25 years, although about 15% of women and 5% of men continue to have acne as adults. It may also start in adult life.
Some studies suggest there is a link between the food we eat and acne. It is very difficult to study the role of diet and acne.
Several studies, criticized for their quality, have shown benefits in acne from a low-sugar, low-protein, low-fat and low-dairy diet. The reasons for these benefits are thought to relate to the effects of these foods on insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).
It is a good idea to drink less milk and eat less of high glycemic index foods such as sugar, biscuits, cakes, ice cream and bottled drinks. Reducing your intake of meat and amino acid supplements may also help.
Seek medical help if you are concerned about your skin, as changing diet does not always help.
We do not understand why acne eventually clears up. It does not always coincide with a reduction in sebum production or with a reduction in the number of bacteria. It may relate to changes in the sebaceous glands themselves or to the activity of the immune system.