Acne affects a large majority of adolescents, more or less severely, but can also occur in adulthood, especially in women and especially on the lower face, while the back is the most common seat in men.
What is the origin of acne?
It is due to an overproduction of sebum by the sebaceous glands located at the root of each hair. Very frequently, excess sebum will clog pores and the result is two main types of acne:
- Retentional acne that leads to the appearance of comedones (“blackheads”) and white microcysts.
- Inflammatory acne that comes from the inflammation of these pimples by the P. acnès bacteria present in the skin; it results in red papules often topped with a whitish point containing a purulent liquid.
Severe inflammatory acne or inappropriate manipulation of lesions by patients themselves very often leads to scar consequences.