Acne is frequently a familial condition, often seen in successive generations. It is a very common condition, varying from a very mild disease to really severe. Although the onset of acne is stimulated with puberty, it can affect any age group and be present for many years.

If left untreated scarring will undoubtedly occur. Micro-needling would often be the recommended treatment and you can read more about this here.

There are 2 main types of acne:

1. Micro-comedomes and non-inflammatory lesions
2. Inflammatory lesions

There are four main steps in the pathway to inflammatory acne, this is important to understand as to how best to treat it.

1. Increased sebum (oil) production
2. Hypercornification - build-up of dead skin cells that form a blockage of the hair follicle
3. The bacteria called Propioibacterium acnes (P-Acnes) multiply and become abundant
4. There is a localised inflammatory response

In acne, the sebum production increase leads to an oily skin. However, this oil is deficient in linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid. Occasionally the acne skin which has both oily and dry patches.

Oil production in the skin is controlled by hormones, however in the majority of people hormone levels will be normal. The problem is an increased sensitivity to di-hydro-testosterone. It’s about 30% of women only who have elevated levels of free Testosterone as part of the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.