Acne vulgaris is the most common form of acne. In fact, the word “vulgaris” means “common,” not “vulgar” in the modern sense of the word. It most commonly affects teenagers, but some people experience problems with acne vulgaris throughout their lives. There are several treatments for this skin condition, including over-the-counter ointments and prescription medications.

How Does Acne Vulgaris Develop?

Acne vulgaris occurs when hair follicles become clogged with skin secretions called sebum. These start off as small, irritated pores known as microcomedo. If the irritation persists, then the pore can turn into a blackhead, known to dermatologists as a comedone, or a milia, which is a closed comedone. The large, red, puffy pores easily identified as pimples are caused by inflammation.

What Causes Acne Vulgaris?

Most people experience some level of acne vulgaris in their lifetimes. Some people, however, have bigger problems with the skin condition than others. There are several reasons that some people experience significant outbreaks due to acne vulgaris while others only have infrequent pimples.

Change in hormones is the most common cause of acne vulgaris. Many teenagers see an increased activity of acne as the enter puberty. This happens because the body begins to produce more androgens, which are male sex hormones. These hormones stimulate body and facial hair growth, which makes it more likely for the teen to experience acne vulgaris. For similar reasons, many women see an increase in acne during their menstrual cycles.

Some causes of acne vulgaris are behavioral. The connection between acne and stress, for instance, is well known. It is not, however, well understood. Using anabolic steroids can also increase the presence of acne vulgaris.

Is Acne Vulgaris Caused by Dirt?

One of the leading misconceptions is that certain people get acne vulgaris because they are unhygienic. The truth is that acne vulgaris has nothing to do with how clean someone is. Blackheads might look like they contain dirt, but they are actually caused by skin secretions. Keeping skin clean by washing regularly can reduce the number of pimples that some people experience, but others will have excessive acne vulgaris no matter how much they scrub. In fact, excessive cleaning can irritate the skin, which leads to more pimples.

Does Diet Affect Acne Vulgaris?

Many people believe that they can control acne vulgaris by altering their diets. Research indicates that there may be some truth to this, but the evidence does not always support the dietary guidelines that many people follow to avoid acne. Chocolate, for instance, has not been shown to increase the occurrence of acne vulgaris. On the other hand, some studies have shown that consuming a large amount of carbohydrates and dairy products can cause acne.

What are Common Treatments for Acne Vulgaris?

A large market has developed to help teenagers and adults to keep their skin clear. Not all of the options, however, will work for every person. Some of the most common treatments include:

• Using topical bactericidals, which are often available over the counter, to stimulate the presence of oxygen and kill bacteria in skin pores.
• Topical and oral antibiotics are also used to kill bacteria.
• Dermabrasion treats acne vulgaris by removing the uppermost layer of skin. It can be quite painful and is usually conducted under a general anesthetic.
• Phototherapy, or light therapy, has also become more popular in recent years.