Acne and Acne Scarring

This innocuous bacterium lives on the skin, and the problems and inflammation occurs when all these things are mixed together. The trapped oil, skin cells and bacteria fester in the follicles to produce the blemishes that are associated with this skin condition. Most commonly seen in teenagers, hormone fluctuations can be a dominant cause with menstrual cycles, pollution and stress at the origins of excess oil production. When certain hormone levels increase it can trigger the overproduction of sebum and thicken the hairs, which leads to a blockage in the follicle. Significant cases can often be followed by the development of mild scarring to the skin, which appears as indentations to the skin’s surface that may also develop some discolouration.

When the body’s inflammatory defences are unable to deal with a combination of excess amounts of oil and bacteria on and near the skin’s surface, an outbreak can occur. This results in a wide range of symptoms such as, whiteheads, blackheads, redness, spots, painful pustules, painful to touch nodules and even cysts. The skin can also become hot to the touch and very sensitive. The condition is commonly seen affecting the face, chest and upper back and can be made worse if the spots are picked at or squeezed.