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Acne is a skin disease characterized by the eruption of red pimples , blackheads and cysts. It most often affects the face and chest, but also the back, chest or scalp. Acne is a reflection of reactions that take place in the sebaceous glands. Housed in the skin, these glands produce sebum , a lubricating substance. If lack of sebum , the skin is dry and cracked easily . If there is too much, the skin will become oily and acne . Indeed, excess sebum blocks the sebaceous gland duct. This facilitates the proliferation of bacteria normally present in the skin: Propionibacterium acnes bacteria responsible for inflammation ( see diagram). When the clogged follicle expands too much, it causes retentive lesions ( blackheads and microcysts ) . The symptoms of acne can be treated quite well in adolescents . They are sometimes more difficult to heal in adults. Who is affected ? In Western countries , acne is very common among teenagers : an estimated 80 % to 90 % of them are affected at one time or another . Boys are more affected than girls . 10% to 20 % of them see a doctor for this reason. In most cases, acne disappears around age 20 or 30 years , but sometimes it persists, this is called late acne . causes Acne is multifactorial . Here are some things that can contribute to its onset. Hormonal surge at puberty. At puberty , regardless of gender , sex hormones increase , especially androgen hormones (which cause the appearance of male sexual characteristics ) . Under the effect of this surge , the sebaceous glands produce more sebum . This increased production of sebum creates a fertile ground for the proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria that feed on ; Hormonal changes in women. Some women see acne pimples appear 2 to 7 days before menstruation . Contraception can also have a positive or negative role : women who start taking birth control pills containing some potentially including acnegenic progestins gestodene type desogestrel , norgestrel , levonorgestrel , norgestrienone , norethisterone , lynestrenol ... can see their acne worsen or, conversely , stopping contraception ( to get pregnant for example) can also be purveyor of acne. Pregnancy and menopause can also be responsible ; A disturbance of the functioning of the ovaries or adrenal glands. Sometimes acne in women can be attributed to dysfunction of the ovaries or adrenal glands, but this is exceptional . Other factors that can cause acne or worsen symptoms . To know them, consult the Risk Factors section .
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