Acne is a skin ailment in which the sebaceous glands become inflamed. Acne generally begins to manifest during adolescence and is caused by overactivity of the sebaceous glands. The sebum produced by these glands is unable to escape because the hair follicles become blocked by keratin and this trapped sebum harbours a bacteria named Propionibacterium acnes which multiplies rapidly within the sebaceous glands. The bacteria produces large quantities of an enzyme named lipase that converts sebum to other fatty acids. These fatty acids cause inflammation and also cause the eventual rupture of the sebaceous glands producing what becomes visible as pimples.
85% of the population aged between 12 and 25 are affected by acne at some stage. The most commonly affected group is pubescent boys, followed by women aged 20 to 40.
Consumption of chocolate and milk are often blamed for acne. Recent studies have cleared these foods of causing causing acne.
Certain other ailments increase the risk of acne, including:
