Acne vulgaris is the most common type of acne
Acne vulgaris is the most common form of acne, characterized by a mixture of inflammatory and non-inflammatory skin lesions (see all acne types). You may prefer to call acne "pimples," "spots," or "zits."
Who gets acne vulgaris?
Most of us have had acne at some point in our lives. It can affect people of any gender or race, although it's most common in teenagers. However, acne can occur at any age.
What are the main characteristics of acne vulgaris?
Acne usually affects the face, but it can spread to the neck, chest, and back, and sometimes more extensively over the body. Individual lesions are centered on the pilosebaceous unit, which is the hair follicle and its associated oil gland. Several types of acne spots can occur at the same time, including inflammatory papules, pustules, and nodules, or non-inflamed comedones and pseudocysts.Individual acne lesions usually last less than 2 weeks but the deeper papules and nodules may persist for months. Many acne patients also have oily skin (seborrhea).
How do clinical features differ in different types of skin?
All characteristic lesions of acne vulgaris can occur in skin of color, but it usually presents with less discernible redness and more post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (pigmented macules) which persists long after the acne lesion has gone. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is often the major reason for seeking medical attention, causing significant psychological effects. Pomade acne occurs more commonly in people with skin of color due to cultural practices with hair styling products in African American and Hispanic populations. The use of greasy hair products leads to follicular plugging and comedones along the hairline. Keloid scarring is more common in skin of color following acne lesions, particularly along the jawline, chest, and upper back.
Acne grading is the process of classifying the severity of a person's acne.
Acne may be classified as mild, moderate or severe. Comedones and inflammatory lesions are usually considered separately.
Classification of acne
Mild acne
Moderate acne
Severe acne
Some dermatologists assess the severity of a patient's acne by using a grading scale that compares the inflammatory lesions with a set of standard photographs. The grade may range from 1 (very mild) to 12 (exceptionally severe), for example. In clinical trials evaluating acne treatment, the numbers of non-inflamed and inflamed lesions are carefully counted at regular intervals. However, it can be quite challenging to count consistently.
What are the potential problems associated with acne vulgaris?
Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Scarring, including keloid scars
Psychological effects of acne
What are the treatments for acne vulgaris?
The Treatment for acne depends on various factors, such as the patient's age and sex, the extent and severity of the acne, how long it has been present, and response to previous treatments. For mild acne, treatment options include topical anti-acne preparations, lasers and lights. For moderate acne, antibiotics such as tetracyclines and/or antiandrogens such as birth control pill may be prescribed. In the case of severe acne, a course of oral isotretinoin may be necessary.
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