Acne Vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is one of the skin disorders most frequently encountered by dermatologists as well as primary care providers. It is especially common in adolescents but also occurs in children and adults, and its psychological impact can be profound. Acne is an inflammatory disorder involving the pilosebaceous unit and results from the complex interplay of genetics, hormonal influences, innate and acquired immunity, and other environmental factors. Clinical presentations range from a few comedones to a fulminant systemic condition. There are also multiple acne variants in addition to related acneiform eruptions. Treatments target as many of the pathogenic factors as possible in order to achieve disease control.