Acne vulgaris is a common skin disorder affecting at least 85 percent of adolescents and young adults. This disorder is often dismissed by the medical community and general population as a superficial affliction associated with growing up, however scientific evidence has illustrated that the effects of this condition are far more than skin deep.
Acne vulgaris, or acne, is a skin problem that starts when oil and dead skin cells clog up your pores. Some people call it blackheads, blemishes, whiteheads, pimples, or zits. When you have just a few red spots, or pimples, you have a mild form of acne. Severe acne can mean hundreds of pimples that can cover the face, neck, chest, and back. Or, it can be bigger, solid, red lumps that are painful (cysts).
Many different factors contribute to the development of acne in women with brown skin, heredity and stress-related hormones being the most important. Diet may also contribute to acne (see below). Since dark marks or blemishes are such a problem for women with brown skin, we often use heavy, oil-based makeup or foundation to cover the marks. This can both cause and exacerbate acne.
Acne occurs when pilosebaceous units become obstructed with plugs of sebum and desquamated keratinocytes, then colonized and sometimes infected with the normal skin anaerobe Propionibacterium acnes. Manifestations differ depending on whether P. acnes stimulates inflammation in the follicle; acne can be noninflammatory or inflammatory.
Acne Vulgaris Symptoms
Small and large swellings appear on the face, neck, chest, shoulder and upper portions of the back. There may be a black spot in the center of the swellings-black heads (close comedones). Swellings without black spots are known as white heads (open comedones). When the pimples get infected, there will be swellings (pustules) filled with pus.
Acne Vulgaris Treatment
Acne treatment depends on whether you have a mild, moderate, or severe form. Sometimes your doctor will combine treatments to get the best results and to avoid developing drug-resistant bacteria. Treatment could include lotions or gels you put on blemishes or sometimes entire areas of skin, such as the chest or back (topical medications). You might also take medications by mouth (oral medications).
Effective treatment of acne vulgaris can prevent emotional and physical scarring. Therapy varies according to the severity of the disease. Topical medication is generally adequate in clearing comedonal acne, while inflammatory acne usually requires the addition of oral medication. Systemic antibiotics are used most frequently and can be highly effective. Newer formulations of combined oral contraceptives are also helpful in modulating sebum production in the female patient.
If the acne does not respond well to these OTC treatments, or is visibly a moderate to severe form of acne vulgaris including nodules or cysts, medical treatment under the guidance of a doctor (most likely a dermatologist) is recommended. Doctor prescribed medications come in two basic forms, topical and oral.
For people with severe inflammatory acne, long-term treatment with oral antibiotics such as tetracycline or minocycline (eg Minocin), combined with one of the medications mentioned above may be helpful. Tetracycline antibiotics are not given to pregnant women; women who are breastfeeding; or children under 12 years of age.
Alpha-hydroxy acid, which dries up blemishes and causes the top skin layer to peel. You'll find alpha-hydroxy acid in moisturizers, cleansers, eye creams, and sunscreens.
