Acne results when tiny glands beneath the skin surface, the sebaceous glands, become clogged with sebum, an oily substance whose normal collection and excretion keeps the skin healthy. If clogged, bacteria can grow in the glands, which in turn causes swelling and pimpling on the skin’s surface. This can occur anywhere on the epidermis where there are hair follicles below the surface (the sebaceous glands are attached to these follicles), including the face, back, and neck. Acne afflicts adults as well as teens, but is typically more common during times of high hormonal activity like adolescence.

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Acne Treatment: There are a number of approaches to treating acne and the scarring it often leaves behind. The drug Accutane is a popular and effective treatment, as are a number of other prescription meds and antibiotics. These are not always risk or side effect free and must be carefully monitored. Laser therapy is a safe and increasingly effective acne treatment, with various lasers designated to treating the condition when it is active or the scarring after it subsides. Diet is also a consideration in the controlling of acne and patients may benefit from Nutrition Counseling with specific advice about how to manage the condition. Of course, the first step in a treatment plan for acne is a thorough consultation with a dermatologist, whose specialty is controlling such conditions of the skin. The doctor will examine your skin, recommend the best type of therapy, which may include a combination of therapies, and work out a long-term plan for containing the condition.