File:Acne_vulgaris_on_a_very_oily_skin.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

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acne

Also known as Acne, unspecified, Acne, unspecified (disorder), frontalis acne, Acne varioliformis, acne vulgaris

Acne, also known as acne vulgaris, is a long-term skin condition that occurs when dead skin cells and sebum clog hair follicles. Typical features of the condition include blackheads or whiteheads, pimples, oily skin, and possible scarring. It primarily affects skin with a relatively high number of oil glands, including the face, upper part of the chest, and back. The resulting appearance can lead to lack of confidence, anxiety, reduced self-esteem, and, in extreme cases, depression or thoughts of suicide.

AI overview

Acne is a common skin condition where dead skin cells and oil block hair follicles, causing blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and oily skin, typically on the face, chest, and back. It matters because beyond the physical symptoms, acne can significantly affect a person's emotional well-being, potentially leading to anxiety, low self-esteem, and in severe cases, depression.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Key facts

Medical condition.name: Acne
Medical condition.pronounce: ( )
Medical condition.synonyms: Acne vulgaris
Medical condition.image: Acne vulgaris on a very oily skin.jpg
Medical condition.caption: Acne vulgaris in an 18-year-old male during puberty
Medical condition.alt: Photograph of an 18-year-old male with moderate severity acne vulgaris demonstrating classic features of whiteheads and oily skin distributed over the forehead
Medical condition.field: Dermatology
Medical condition.symptoms: Blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, oily skin, scarring
Medical condition.complications: Anxiety, reduced self-esteem, depression, thoughts of suicide
Medical condition.onset: Puberty
Medical condition.types: blackhead, whitehead, papule, pustule, nodule, cyst
Medical condition.risks: Genetics
Medical condition.differential: Folliculitis, rosacea, hidradenitis suppurativa, miliaria, perioral dermatitis
Medical condition.treatment: Lifestyle changes, medications, medical procedures
Medical condition.medication: Azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, antibiotics, birth control pills, co-cyprindiol, retinoids, isotretinoin
Medical condition.frequency: 633 million affected (2015)

via Wikipedia infobox

Research

25,837 papers

Acne vulgaris: new evidence in pathogenesis and future modalities of treatment.ReviewThe Journal of dermatological treatment · 2021Hazarika NDOI: 10.1080/09546634.2019.1654075
Treatment Modalities for Acne.ReviewMolecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2016Fox L, Csongradi C, Aucamp M et al.DOI: 10.3390/molecules21081063
Acne vulgaris: pathogenesis, treatment, and needs assessment.ReviewDermatologic clinics · 2012Knutsen-Larson S, Dawson AL, Dunnick CA et al.DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2011.09.001
Acne vulgaris.ReviewLancet (London, England) · 2012Williams HC, Dellavalle RP, Garner SDOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60321-8
Adult acne versus adolescent acne: a narrative review with a focus on epidemiology to treatment.ReviewAnais brasileiros de dermatologia · 2023Kutlu Ö, Karadağ AS, Wollina UDOI: 10.1016/j.abd.2022.01.006
Acne Vulgaris: Clinical Aspects and Treatments.Advances in skin & wound care · 2024Geng R, Sibbald RGDOI: 10.1097/ASW.0000000000000089
[Acne].ReviewUgeskrift for laeger · 2025Østergaard CES, Bertelsen T, Lomholt H et al.DOI: 10.61409/V09240660
Prevalence and risk factors of acne scars in patients with acne vulgaris.Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) · 2023Liu L, Xue Y, Chen Y et al.DOI: 10.1111/srt.13386

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Wikidata facts

Image: Akne-jugend.jpg

Show 9 more facts

social media followers: 814036
Commons category: Acne
exact match: purl.obolibrary.org/obo/HP_0001061
name in kana: じんじょうせいざそう
ICPC 2 ID: S96
ICD-9-CM: 706.0
NCI Thesaurus ID: C27195
WordLift URL: data.medicalrecords.com/medicalrecords/healthwise/acne
described at URL: neal.fun/earth-reviews/acne

Sources (14)

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~67 min read

Article

41 sections

Contents

Classification
Signs and symptoms
Scars
Pigmentation
Causes
Genes
Hormones
Infections
Diet
Stress
Other
Pathophysiology
Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
Management
Skin care
Diet
Medications
Benzoyl peroxide
Retinoids
Antibiotics
Hormonal agents
Azelaic acid
Salicylic acid
Other medications
Combination therapy
Pregnancy
Procedures
Postacne scar treatment
Alternative medicine
Self-care
Prognosis
Mental health impact
Epidemiology
History
Society and culture
Research
Other animals
References
Further reading
External links

Susceptibility to acne is primarily genetic in 80% of cases. The roles of diet and cigarette smoking in the condition are unclear, and neither cleanliness nor exposure to sunlight are associated with acne. In both sexes, hormones called androgens appear to be part of the underlying mechanism, by causing increased production of sebum. Another common factor is the excessive growth of the bacterium Cutibacterium acnes, which is present on the skin.