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Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil (Sebum—oil that helps keep skin from drying out) and dead skin cells. Whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, cysts, and nodules are all types of acne. It commonly occurs during puberty, when the sebaceous glands activate, but it can occur at any age. It is not dangerous, but it can leave skin scars.
Human skin has pores that connect to oil glands under the skin. Follicles connect the glands to the pores. Follicles are small sacs that produce and secrete liquid. The glands produce an oily liquidTrusted Source called sebum. Sebum carries dead skin cells through the follicles to the surface of the skin. A small hair grows through the follicle out of the skin. Pimples grow when these follicles get blocked, and oil builds up under the skin. Skin cells, sebum, and hair can clump together into a plug. This plug gets infected with bacteria, and swelling results. A pimple starts to develop when the plug begins to break down. Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is the name of the bacteria that live on the skin and contributes to the infection of pimples. Research suggestsTrusted Source that the severity and frequency of acne depend on the strain of bacteria. Not all acne bacteria trigger pimples. One strain helps to keep the skin pimple-free.
A range of factors triggers acne, but the main cause is thought to be a rise in androgen levels. Androgen is a type of hormone, the levels of which rise when adolescence begins. In women, it gets converted into estrogen. Rising androgen levels cause the oil glands under the skin to grow. The enlarged gland produces more sebum. Excessive sebum can break down cellular walls in the pores, causing bacteria to grow.
Some studies suggestTrusted Source that genetic factors may increase the risk. Other causes include: 1. Some medications that contain androgen and lithium 2. Greasy cosmetics 3. Hormonal changes 4. Emotional stress 5. Menstruation
Researchers believe that you may be more likely to get acne if your parents had acne.
Acne often starts when the skin produces too much oil (sebum). This excess oil mixes with dead skin cells and clogs pores. Clogged pores create the perfect environment for acne to develop, especially on the face, chest, and back.
Dead skin cells can build up and block hair follicles, leading to whiteheads or blackheads. This is one of the earliest steps in acne formation.
Bacteria naturally present on the skin can multiply inside clogged pores. This leads to redness, swelling, and pus formation.
The body’s response to clogged pores and bacteria causes inflammation. This results in redness, swelling, and sometimes painful acne.
Some medicines, like steroids or hormonal drugs, can trigger acne in certain individuals.
Using oily or pore-clogging skincare and cosmetics can block pores and lead to breakouts.
These are small bumps that may become inflamed (warm to the touch and painful).
These are open pores on your skin that contain excess oil and dead skin. It looks like there’s a speck of dirt or a dark spot in the bump. But irregular light reflection off the clogged follicle causes the dark spots.
These are bumps that remain closed by oil and dead skin. They’re white or yellowish in appearance.
These are rounded or unusually shaped masses. They may be deep in your skin, and they’re often painful
These are pus-filled pimples that look like whiteheads surrounded by discolored rings. Picking or scratching your pustules can cause scarring
These are pimples filled with a thick, yellow or white fluid composed of dead white blood cells, small pieces of tissue and bacteria (pus). Cysts can cause scars.
For acne scars, treatments like microneedling, laser therapy, or fillers may be recommended. These focus on improving skin appearance after acne heals.
This is available as an over-the-counter product (such as Clearasil®, Stridex® and PanOxyl®). Lower concentrations and wash formulations are less irritating to your skin. Irritation (dryness) is a common side effect.
Retinoids, such as Retin-A®, Tazorac® and Differin® help prevent clogged pores. You may notice a change in skin color or peeling. Using retinoids every other day or using them at the same time as a moisturizer can reduce these side effects.
This is available over-the-counter for pimples as a cleanser or lotion. It helps dissolve dead skin cells to prevent your hair follicles from clogging.
Helps break down blackheads and whiteheads
Talk to your healthcare provider before trying these below three — they may be irritating and make acne worse.
Chemical peels use a mild chemical solution to remove layers of skin and reduce pimples.
Laser skin resurfacing directs short, concentrated pulsating beams of light at your pimples. The light beams reduce the amount of oil that your sebaceous glands produce.
A dermatologist or plastic surgeon uses a specialized instrument to “sand” your skin. Removing the top layers of your skin frees the clogs that cause pimples.
Medicines like benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, or salicylic acid are commonly used to treat acne. They help unclog pores, reduce bacteria, and control oil production. These are usually the first line of treatment and need consistent use for visible results.
For moderate to severe acne, doctors may prescribe oral medicines like antibiotics or hormonal treatments. These help reduce inflammation and control internal triggers. They are usually given for a limited period and require proper medical guidance.
In some cases, especially in women, acne is linked to hormonal imbalance. Treatment may include medicines that help regulate hormones.
Any type of acne spot can lead to scarring, but it's more common when the most serious types of spots (nodules and cysts) burst and damage nearby skin. Scarring can also occur if you pick or squeeze your spots, so it's important not to do this. There are 3 main types of acne scars:
Small, deep holes in the surface of your skin that look like the skin has been punctured with a sharp object
Caused by bands of scar tissue that form under the skin, giving the surface of the skin a rolling and uneven appearance
Round or oval depressions, or craters, in the skin
After acne heals, it may leave dark spots or pigmentation on the skin. These marks can last for weeks or even months.
Acne can cause uneven skin tone, especially in people with sensitive or darker skin types. This may persist even after breakouts are gone.
Persistent acne can affect self-confidence and lead to stress or low self-esteem. This is common, especially in teenagers and young adults.
Popping or picking pimples can introduce bacteria into deeper layers of the skin. This can worsen inflammation and delay healing.
Without proper care, acne may continue for a long time or keep recurring. This can make it harder to manage over time.
Acne is usually diagnosed by examining the skin and understanding your symptoms. Doctors look at the type of lesions like blackheads, whiteheads, or inflamed pimples.
Acne is classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on the number and type of breakouts. This helps guide treatment decisions.
Doctors may ask about when acne started, triggers, skincare routine, and past treatments. This helps identify patterns like hormonal or lifestyle-related acne.
If acne is persistent or linked to irregular cycles, doctors may evaluate hormonal factors. This is more common in adult or resistant acne.
Understanding whether your skin is oily, dry, or sensitive helps in choosing the right treatment and skincare approach.
