Health Guide » 
Topic Overview
Acne vulgaris (acne) is a common skin condition that can affect people of all ages, although teenagers develop acne most often. Acne is a disorder that occurs when the sebaceous glands in a person's skin make too much oil (sebum). The oil combines with cells that line the walls of these glands and clogs the person's skin pores.
See an illustration of acne
Clogging of pores leads to pimples , whiteheads , or blackheads , which usually occur on the face, neck, shoulders, back, or chest. Pimples that are large and deep are called cystic lesions . Cystic lesions can cause painful infections and lead to scarring.
It is not clear what causes a person's body to produce too much oil or not properly shed dead skin cells. Outbreaks of acne may be linked to hormones, genetics, or bacteria. Acne is not caused by eating too much chocolate or oily foods.
Acne can range from mild to severe. A person may have only occasional bouts with acne or it may be constant. Treatment for acne is based on the severity of the outbreak and how much it affects a person's appearance.
The goal of treatment is to reduce or eliminate outbreaks and to prevent scarring. Home care of acne and use of nonprescription medications can be effective. Prescribed oral medications (such as isotretinoin) and topical medications (such as benzoyl peroxide) are also available to treat acne. Usually, a combination of medications is most helpful.
Certain light therapies (such as blue or red light therapies prescribed by a doctor) can be helpful in treating mild to moderate acne that has not responded to other treatments. While mild sun exposure can lessen the redness of acne, ultraviolet rays from sunlight or a sunlamp can damage a person's skin.
Moderate to severe acne can cause embarrassment and self-esteem problems, and sometimes depression . Only one-third of teenagers with acne seek treatment, although most report that acne causes them to have a poor self-image.
