How Acne Forms

How Does Acne Form ?

Beneath your skin’s surface there are many follicles (commonly called pores) with sebaceous glands attached to them. These glands produce and secrete a protective oil called sebum.

  • During puberty, testosterone levels rise in both sexes. This excess testosterone is taken into the sebaceous glands thereby increasing sebum production.
  • At the same time, the keratin in your skin becomes unusually sticky causing the sebum to plug your pores and prevent skin shedding.  
  • If the follicle opens, the keratinous material escapes through it and an open comedone or blackhead results. If the follicle does not open sufficiently, a closed comedone or whitehead results, within which inflammation can occur. Most acne sufferers have a combination of both.
  • Papules form under the skin’s surface when the follicle wall breaks mixing white blood cells with bacteria.  A few days later, this papule can form into a pustule (commonly known as a pimple) when the follicle becomes red and fills with pus.
  • These pustules can explode and inflame the surrounding skin to form nodules or cysts in severe cases.