Acne is an inflammatory disease of the skin, caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland).

Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples or zits.

The condition is most common in puberty, especially among Western societies most likely due to a higher genetic predisposition.

Excessive secretion of oils from the sebaceous glands combines with naturally occurring dead skin cells to block the hair follicles.

There also appears to be in some instances a faulty keritinization process in the skin leading to abnormal shedding of skin lining the pores.

Oil secretions build up beneath the blocked pore, providing a perfect environment for the skin bacteria Propionibacterium acnes to multiply uncontrollably.

In response, the skin inflames, producing the visible lesion..

For more information about the topic Acne, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles:

Blackhead — A blackhead (technically known as a open comedo) is a yellowish or blackish bump or plug on the skin. An open comedo or blackhead is a type of acne ...  > read more

Rash — A rash is a change in the skin which affects its appearance or texture. A rash may be localised to one part of the body, or affect all the skin. ...  > read more

Rosacea — Rosacea begins as flushing and redness on the central face and across the cheeks, nose, or forehead but can also less commonly affect the neck, ...  > read more

Scar — A scar results from the biologic process of wound repair in the skin and other tissues of the body. Thus, scarring is a natural part of the healing ...  > read more

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