Acne is a common skin condition that happens when hair follicles and oil glands become clogged and inflamed. It often increases during puberty because changing hormone levels can make sebaceous glands produce more sebum, the oily substance that helps protect skin. Acne can affect comfort, confidence, and skin health, but it is not a sign of being dirty.
Understanding the science behind acne helps students choose treatments that are safe and effective.
Key Facts
- Acne begins when sebum and dead skin cells clog a hair follicle.
- Androgens increase during puberty and can stimulate sebaceous glands to make more sebum.
- P. acnes bacteria can grow inside clogged follicles and contribute to inflammation.
- Blackhead = open comedone, while whitehead = closed comedone.
- Benzoyl peroxide lowers acne bacteria and helps reduce inflammation.
- Skin cell turnover time is about 28 days, so many acne treatments need 6 to 8 weeks to show clear results.
Vocabulary
- Sebum
- Sebum is an oily substance made by sebaceous glands that helps protect and moisturize the skin.
- Sebaceous gland
- A sebaceous gland is a small oil-producing gland connected to a hair follicle in the skin.
- Comedone
- A comedone is a clogged pore formed by trapped sebum and dead skin cells.
- P. acnes
- P. acnes is a type of skin bacteria that can grow in clogged follicles and help trigger inflammation.
- Inflammation
- Inflammation is the body's immune response that can cause redness, swelling, warmth, and pain.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Scrubbing the skin hard, because irritation can damage the skin barrier and make redness and inflammation worse.
- Popping pimples, because squeezing can push material deeper into the skin and increase the chance of scarring or infection.
- Stopping treatment after one week, because acne treatments often need several skin cycles and usually take 6 to 8 weeks to show improvement.
- Using too many harsh products at once, because dryness and irritation can trigger more inflammation and make it harder to follow a treatment plan.
Practice Questions
- 1 A teen starts an acne treatment that usually takes 8 weeks to show clear improvement. If they begin on March 3, about what date should they expect to judge whether it is working?
- 2 In a class survey, 18 out of 30 students say their acne gets worse during stressful exam weeks. What percentage of the students reported this pattern?
- 3 Explain why a whitehead can become inflamed even though the pore opening is covered, and include the roles of sebum, dead skin cells, bacteria, and the immune system.