The sebaceous (oil-producing) glands of people who get acne are particularly sensitive to normal blood levels of a hormone called testosterone, which is present in both men and women. This causes the glands to produce an excess of oil. At the same time, the dead skin cells lining the pores are not shed properly and clog up the follicles. These two effects result in a build-up of oil-producing blackheads (where a darkened plug of oil is visible) and whiteheads.

The acne bacterium (known as Propionibacterium acnes) lives on everyone’s skin, usually causing no problems, but, in those prone to acne, the build-up of oil creates an ideal environment in which these bacteria can multiply. This triggers inflammation and the formation of red or pus-filled spots.

The typical appearance of acne is a mixture of the following: an oily skin, blackheads and whiteheads, red spots and yellow pus-filled pimples, and scars. Occasionally, large, tender spots or cysts may develop which can either eventually burst and discharge their contents or may heal up without bursting.

• Whiteheads – remain under the skin and are very small
• Blackheads – clearly visible, they are black and appear on the surface of the skin. Remember that a blackhead is not caused by dirt. Scrubbing your face vigorously when you see blackheads will not help
• Papules – visible on the surface of the skin. They are small bumps, usually pink
• Pustules – clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are red at their base and have pus at the top
• Nobules – clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are large, solid pimples. They are painful and are embedded deep in the skin
• Cysts – clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are painful and are filled with pus. Cysts can easily cause scars.

Acne is often considered a predominantly teenage affliction, but it can also affect many people long into adulthood. People can suffer from adult acne into their twenties, thirties and even as late as their forties. In such cases the effect on self-esteem and self-confidence can be devastating.

Adult acne is caused by excess oil production which clogs the pores and causes a reaction in the skin. It can also be caused by an increase in testosterone. Acne normally appears during puberty and decreases over time, but this is not always the case. Sometimes it can carry on into adulthood, which can be a cause of great distress. Many adults are also left with acne scars even when the condition has improved, and this can be just as difficult to deal with as the acne itself, leading many people to seek out effective adult acne treatment such as IPL/Laser, Microdermabrasion and Chemical Skin Peels combined with LED Lights.