Causes of Acne
Acne happens when sebaceous glands produce an excess of oily substance called sebum. Commonly, back acne sufferers tend to be teen males. During puberty, the male hormone androgen increases in level, resulting in accelerated oil-secreting activities of the sebaceous glands.
When excess sebum is produced, it can clump dead skin cells and bacteria within the skin pores together and clog up the pores. This oil plug, also called a comedone, marks the beginning of acne.
When a pore is partially blocked, the comedone is called an open comedone (or blackhead) - the oil plug turns dark over time due to oxidation. Whiteheads result when a pore is completely blocked, trapping sebum, bacteria and dead skin cells, causing a tiny white bump on the surface.
Such clogging of the oil gland leads to the proliferation of the bacteria within the clogged pore. And as more sebum continues to be produced under the clogged pore, the comedone increases in size, becomes inflamed and may progress into a papule (red tender bumps with no head) or pustule (red bump with a white head).
Severe Acne Vulgaris
Severe forms of acne are characterized by nodules and cysts. Scarring is common.
- Nodules: Nodules are hard, large bumps that occur under the skin's surface. These are acne lesions which are much larger than mild to moderate forms of acne, can be quite painful and sometimes last for months.
- Cysts: An acne cyst is similar to a nodule, but is filled with pus and can be painful.
