Can anyone get acne?
Sara P.
A dermatologist based in Canada.
Overview
Most people experience recurrent acne for several years before symptoms begin to improve as they get older. For most people, acne disappears by the age of thirty, but for some people in their forties and fifties, this skin problem persists.
Acne is more common in teens but affects people of all ages. Acne can be physically distressing and cause many people to withdraw from their social lives.
Acne (also known as pimples) often causes a lot of anxiety and worry, but it can often be resolved or at least greatly improved with the right treatment.
What is acne?
Acne is the result of clogged skin pores with oil, dead skin cells, and other materials that cause pimples, bumps, whiteheads, blackheads, and other problems. Acne often appears during adolescence, for some people, acne can be a persistent problem even into their twentie.
Is acne contagious?
There are some skin problems that are contagious, but acne isn't one of them. You can touch, hug, and kiss someone with acne without fear of catching the skin disorder. You can even share the same towel or soap with someone who has acne without fear. You won't develop pimples because you can't catch acne.
What causes acne?
Acne is a very common skin condition because it is caused by hormonal changes that lead to increased sebum production, and it usually begins around puberty.
Acne occurs when pores on the surface of the skin become clogged with a mixture of oil (sebum) produced by the glands in the hair follicles with dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria.
Bacteria in the skin multiply, causing pain and swelling (inflammation) under the blocks. Acne can become inflamed when bacteria (P. acnes) on the surface of the skin enters the pores.
Bacteria play a role, but active male hormones (androgens) in both men and women can cause excess sebum production by the sebaceous glands, which, combined with dead skin cells, clogs pores and causes acne. Anything that blocks the sebaceous glands in the skin can cause acne in the blocked area.
A condition called rosacea, which affects about 1 in 10 people can also cause small cysts and bumpy patches that look like pimples. Some people develop only mild pimples, while others may develop large, deep painful growths under the skin called cysts, a severe form of acne.
What are the symptoms of acne?
Acne can appear as pimples without abscesses or pus-filled cysts that rupture and result in larger abscesses. It can happen anywhere on the body. Acne occurs most often on the face, neck, shoulders, upper back, and chest, which are the areas of your body that produce the most sebum.
How is acne treated?
There are many effective acne treatments that reduce both the number of pimples and the chance of scarring.
Keeping the skin clean will help manage pimples, but avoid rubbing the skin as this can cause irritation and inflammation. Sometimes just taking better care of your skin by regularly cleansing or exfoliating it can be enough to prevent breakouts.
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Takeaway
While teens are more prone to acne, people of any age can develop acne for a variety of reasons.
Most forms of acne are treatable and your dermatologist can work with you to advise you on a range of interventions to help your skin. Your healthcare provider can evaluate your acne, determine if you're developing scars, and prescribe specific treatments for your type of acne. Acne treatments can reduce the severity of acne and help brighten skin faster.
DISCLAIMER Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice.