Acne 101

Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. Most people experience acne at some point during his/her life. Although frequently seen in teenagers, acne occurs in adults as well. Sometimes, people who had no acne during high school develop acne in their 20s and 30s and approximately 10% of 40-year-old women have acne. Even newborns can develop acne.

Unfortunately, accurate information about acne treatment can be scarce. Dr. Craig Singer is an acne expert, and has treated thousands of patients with mild, moderate and severe acne. Dr. Singer, himself, suffered from acne when he was in college and also treated his oldest child who had severe teenage acne. Dr. Singer understands the emotional impact that acne can have on a person’s self-esteem, and he enjoys helping others suffering from this common condition.

This schematic diagram shows how acne develops: (1) oil and skin cells clog the pores (i.e. blackheads and whiteheads), (2) bacteria overgrow within the oil glands, and (3) the immune system attacks the bacteria causing inflammation and swelling (pustules and cysts). The most current thinking however is that inflammation occurs at the start of an acne lesion.