Acne is an extremely common skin condition which mainly affects the adolescent population (currently estimated at over 90%).

Despite very intensive research over many decades, a detailed explanation of what triggers and maintains the condition is still lacking.

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit resulting from androgen-induced increased sebum production, altered keratinisation, inflammation, and bacterial colonisation of hair follicles on the face, neck, chest, and back by Propionibacterium acnes. Although early colonisation with P acnes and family history might have important roles in the disease, exactly what triggers acne and how treatment affects the course of the disease remain unclear.

Source :Seminar, The Lancet , Vol 379.

There are many factors which are known to increase the risk of developing acne - including :

• hormonal changes
• high humidity
• dust exposure
• high ambient temperature
• skin mites
• bacteria
• microbiome changes
• diet
• genetic factors
• stress
• sunlight exposure
• pollutants

It's still not known, however, why many individuals are badly affected, and others have no symptoms.