Pathogenesis of Acne

Acne Vulgaris results due to four main factors:

1.Blockage of sebaceous follicles.

2. The epithelial cells in sebaceous follicles under go abnormal desquamation (shedding of the skin). Comedogenesis is the obstruction of sebaceous follicles due to greater cohesiveness of the follicular epithelial cells and sebum. As keratinous material gathers in the sebum filled follicle, the wall thins and swells.

3. The anaerobic, commensual bacterium Propionibacterium acnes proliferates in a lipid rich environment, such as when there is an overproduction of sebum. Excessive sebum production is caused by androgenic stimulation of sebaceous glands.

4. P acnes produces proinflammatory mediators that cause microcomedones to inflame and become papules, pustules, and nodulocystic lesions. A microcomedone is the precursor to acne, an accumulation inside a pore, causing the pore to be plugged by dead skin cells and sebum. Lipases, proteases, and hyaluronidases, produced by the bacteria, act as proinflammatory products.

The Role of Sebum

An increase in sebum is a direct result of increased production of adrenal and gonadal androgens (which occurs during the onset of puberty).