Acne: more than a skin disorder

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the world, and still one of the hardest to get rid of for good. It typically emerges during puberty with its hormonal changes, but plenty of adults find it persists well beyond the teenage years.

Clinically, acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the hair follicles within the sebaceous glands. Four factors drive it: excess sebum production, bacteria, inflammation, and clogged or enlarged pores.

More than skin deep

Acne appears mainly on the face, neck and back, where sebaceous glands are concentrated. Beyond the cosmetic effects, it can be genuinely painful and disruptive, and research consistently shows that people with acne experience higher rates of anxiety and depression. That is reason enough to treat it seriously.

Getting help

Effective treatment exists, including for severe acne. If acne is affecting your skin or your confidence, a specialist Dermatologist consultation is the right place to start. See our acne page or contact the Teledermatologist team.