Acne is a broad term for a group of lesions that include blackheads, whiteheads and pimples. Obstruction of the oil gland underlies all of these lesions. What causes the blockage and what factors make someone more prone to acne blemishes?

The three principal factors that cause acne.

1. Increased oil production - this is related to changing hormone levels that typically occur around teenage years.
2. Obstruction of the oil gland with dead skin cells. Once the gland is obstructed oil builds up and produces the characteristic lesions of blackheads and white heads.
3. Infection of the blocked pore with bacteria. These bacteria are normally found on the skin, but because they love the oil rich environment of the blocked pore they concentrate in the glands and cause pimples.

Q. Why does acne occurs mainly on the face, neck, chest, shoulders and upper back?
A. These areas have the highest number of oil glands.

Who is more likely to get acne?

It seems that people who develop acne are more prone to blockage of the oil gland, so treating obstruction of the glands is one of the simplest ways of clearing mild and moderate acne.

Having a family history increases your chances of developing acne.

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