Acne is caused by infected hair follicles on the face, back, and chest. During puberty, changes in hormone levels cause follicles to produce excess oil that can become trapped with dead skin cells, leading to blackheads or infected pimples. People with acne often feel self-conscious and depressed due to the skin condition. Many treatments aim to clear blackheads and allow oil to flow freely from follicles again in order to heal spots, including pills, creams, and procedures from dermatologists. However, acne can be difficult to treat and sometimes only improves over time.

1. The Causes ofThe Causes of
ACNE
!

2. That’s pimples, folksThat’s pimples, folks
Photo taken from Flickr

3. Acne is a common skin condition thatAcne is a common skin condition that
mainly appears during your teenagemainly appears during your teenage
years, when hormone levels are changingyears, when hormone levels are changing
Illustration from Techno Quest Vol.32 (1989)

4. Acne is caused by:Acne is caused by:
 family/genetic history
 oily cosmetics
 stress
 diet
 hot weather
 exposure to some chemicals
 Vitamin A and Vitamin E deficiency
 poor hygiene
 use of anabolic steroids
 puberty and menstrual cycles

5. Other Causes…Other Causes…

6. What is a follicle?What is a follicle?
 Our skin is covered with very small holes, called
follicles
 Each follicle has a fine hair growing out of it
 The follicle produces a special moisturiser for the
skin, called sebum, that flows out along the hair

7. Diagram of a hair follicle
Diagram from Wikipedia

8. What goes wrong?What goes wrong?
Sometimes the follicle gets filled with dried
out oil and dead skin
Sebum builds up
Blackheads form

9. This is what blackheads look likeThis is what blackheads look like
Photo taken from Wikipedia

10. So how do blackheads turnSo how do blackheads turn
into acne?into acne?

11. trapped sebum (blackhead)trapped sebum (blackhead)
infected with bacteriainfected with bacteria
red pus-filled spots of acne eruptred pus-filled spots of acne erupt

12. Photo taken from Wikipedia

13. Acne usuallyAcne usually
occurs on theoccurs on the
face,face,
arms,arms,
chest,chest,
neckneck
and backand back
Photos taken from Wikipedia

14. The Shameful ConditionThe Shameful Condition
Many people tease those with acne
Hey, there’s
Pizza-face!
That is SO
revolting: You
must be so
embarrassed
Look at Katie!
She’s never going
to get a boyfriend.

15. Photo from Clipart

16. Photo from Clipart

17. What would you say/do to someone with
acne?
Would you be their friend?
Why/why not?

18. People with acne can:People with acne can:
have very low self esteem
feel unattractive
be bullied by their peers
become depressed
consider suicide

19. How would YOU help make their worldHow would YOU help make their world
more colourful?more colourful?
Photo from Clipart

20. Sometimes acne can beSometimes acne can be
cleared by regularcleared by regular
washing and special acnewashing and special acne
treatments.treatments.
Images from Clipart

21. Most treatments aim to:Most treatments aim to:
Help clear dead skin
Help clear blackheads
This allows sebum to move freely again
The spots heal

22. Some treatments include:Some treatments include:
Pills
Creams
Dermatologists & GPs
Skin Centres
Images from Clipart

23. And here’s some more…And here’s some more…

24. Clearasil
Laser
treatment
Organic
creams
Celebrity Endorsements
Sulphur
Hormonal Treatments
Proactiv
FREE TRIAL!
Dermabrasion
Phototherapy
Surgical
Lancing
Detoxification
Heat
Zinc
Benzoyl Peroxide
Triclosan
Retinoids
Salicylic
Acid
Antibiotics
Tetracyclines
Erythromycin
Isotretinoin
Over-the-counter pills
Prescription
Medication
Creams
Lotions
Skin Centres

25. But sometimesBut sometimes
nonenone
of theseof these
work.work.

26. Image from Clipart

27. Sometimes it’s just a matter of time.Sometimes it’s just a matter of time.
Photo from Clipart

28. Google the word ‘acne’ andGoogle the word ‘acne’ and
see how many treatmentssee how many treatments
come upcome up
Why do you think there are so many?
Can you think of something else where
there are many alternative products?
Why might this be so?

29. SummarySummary
 There are many causes for acne, including family
history and diet
 Our skin has tiny holes in it, that are called
follicles
 The follicles produce sebum, to help moisturise
the skin
 Acne is caused by sebum in the hair follicle
becoming infected

30. Summary ContinuedSummary Continued
 Acne generally occurs in teenagers
 People with acne can have low self-esteem, depression
and even suicidal thoughts
 Consider how they must feel and how YOU would feel
 Most treatments work by helping shed dead skin and
clearing blackheads
 Sometimes time is the only cure

31. The EndThe End