This document is a report on acne vulgaris written by Pradeep Paudel for his third semester of study in the B Pharm program at Pokhara University School of Health and Allied Sciences. It discusses the causes, types, effects and treatments of acne vulgaris. The causes include hormonal changes, inflammation, genetics, and lifestyle factors. Treatments discussed include topical and oral medications as well as laser therapy and surgery. The report emphasizes that acne can have both physical and psychological effects and treatment may take several weeks or months to be effective.

1. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Acne vulgaris
Pradeep Paudel
Third Semester, B Pharm
Roll no:18
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Pokhara University, Dhungepatan, Lekhnath, Kaski , Nepal

2. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Topics Under Discussion
• Introduction
• Causes
• Types
• Effects
• Treatments
• Precautions
• Conclusion
• References
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3. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Introduction
• Acne vulgaris is a common human skin disease,
characterized by pimples, comedones (blackheads
and whiteheads), papules, nodules, cysts as a result
of obstruction of pilosebaceous gland.
• Hence, acne is a disorder of the pilosebaceous unit
caused primarily by increased sebum secretion and
follicular plugging.
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4. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Contd…
• Overproduction of a
normal oil on the skin
called sebum increases
under the influence of
hormones and plugs
hair follicle.
• The plugged follicle
become inflammed and
have increased growth
of normal skin and
results in acne.
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5. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
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6. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Contd…
• Acne can affect people of all age groups but is most
prevalent in adolescence and may persist or become
more severe in adulthood.
• Acne most often affects face, but it may also spread
to neck, chest, back and sometimes even more
extensively all over the body.
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7. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
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8. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Causes
Hormonal change
Inflammation and infection
Genetics
Unhealthy life style
Use of low quality and expired cosmetic products
Stressful condition
Abnormal sebum production
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9. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Types of Acne
1. Non-inflammatory lesions
 Whiteheads or closed comedones
 Blackheads or open comedones
2. Inflammatory lesions
 Papules
 Nodules
 Cysts
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10. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Comedones :
• A comedones is a hair follicle that has become
clogged with oil and dead skin cells.
• Comedones can develop into bumps called
whiteheads and blackheads.
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11. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Whiteheads :
• Comedones that stay closed at the surface of the
skin are called whiteheads.
• They are also termed as closed comedones.
• This happen when oil and skin cells prevent a clogged
hair follicle from opening.
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12. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Blackheads :
• Blackheads are comedones that are open at the
surface of the skin.
• They are also called as open comedones.
• They are filled with excess oil and dead cells.
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13. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Papules :
• Papules are comedones that become inflammed,
forming small red or pink bumps on the skin.
• This type of pimple may be sensitive to the touch.
• Picking or squeezing can make the inflammation
worse and may lead to scarring.
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14. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Effects of Acne vulgaris
Physical effects:
Acne Fulminans i.e acne break and causing scarring
Distortion of face
Inflammation
Pigmentation
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15. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Contd…
Psychological effects :
Damage one’s self esteem and confidence
Anxity and depression
Social inhibition
Suicidal disposition in extreme cases
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16. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Treatments
 Treatment for acne depends on the patient’s age and
sex, the extent and the severity of the acne, how
long it has been present and response to previous
treatments.
 Topical (or external) treatments for acne include one
or more creams, washes, or gels that include:
• Antibacterial agents and antibiotics such as benzoyl
peroxide, clindamycin, erythromycin, sulfur, sodium
sulfacetamide, and azelaic acid.
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17. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Contd…
 Oral treatments may include:
• Antibiotics such as tetracycline, minocycline,
doxycycline, erythromycin, ampicillin, clindamycin,
azithromycin or cephalosporins.
• Oral contraceptives and spironolactone have been
found to help regulate hormones.
• Isotretinoin, a strong drug with many side effects, for
severe acne unresponsive to the above treatments.
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18. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Contd…
• Treatment for
moderate acne include
acne antibiotics such as
benzoyl peroxide
tetracyclines or anti-
androgens.
• Treatment for severe
acne may require a
course of oral
isotretinoin.
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19. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Other treatment methods:
Topical antibiotics:
• Inflammatory papules are often treated with topical
antibiotics.
• Erythromycin and clindamycin are the most
conventional topical antibiotics prescribed.
• Clindamycin is prescribed more often than
erythromycin, as it has maintained better efficacy.
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20. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Contd…
Hormonal treatment:
• Hormonal treatment of acne is appropriate for
females only. It is geared toward decreasing
androgen levels, the hormone implicated in
stimulation of the sebaceous follicle.
• Combination pills with estrogen and progesteron
that have low androgenic activity should be choosen.
• Response to hormonal treatment can take 3 to 6
months.
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21. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Contd…
Acne surgery:
• The term "acne surgery" refers to extracting
comedones and draining pustules and cysts.
• Comedones can be easily extracted with the use of a
comedone extractor tool or applying pressure
around the follicular opening with two cotton-tipped
applicators.
• Care must be taken not to cause tissue damage
when performing these procedures.
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22. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Contd…
Laser treatment and phototherapy:
• The use of lasers and light therapy for the treatment
of acne is still in the early stages of development.
• The long-term safety and efficacy of light-based
treatments is still need to be clarified.
• However, these treatments are potentially helpful
for individuals who cannot tolerate other acne
regimens or those who have failed conventional
therapeutic treatments.
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23. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Precautions
 Do not try to break your pimples as it can make them
more worse.
 Do not use strong soaps and chemicals on your face.
 Do not overexpose your skin to the sun.
 Avoid eating too much of junk food and spicy food.
 Include food containing vitamins A and E in your diet.
 Better avoid choclates, fatty food, fried food,
carbonated and caffeinated beverages or foods.
 Drink plenty of water and fruit juice.
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24. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Conclusion
• Acne vulargis is a significant psychological and
financial burden for those affected.
• Although mild acne may improve with over-the-
counter treatments, more severe forms should be
treated by a dermatologist.
• Oral therapies are often necessary in moderate-to-
severe acne cases.
• Patients need to be aware that response to
treatment can take several weeks to months.
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25. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
References
 Walker BR and Ralston SH (2010)Davidson’s
Principles and Practice of Medicine (21st
Ed.), Elsevier,
Edinburg, pp1267-1268
 Medscape. Acne Vulgaris
(
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1069804-overvie
) (Accessed on June27, 2015)
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26. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
“DON’T HIDE YOUR FACE, REVEAL YOUR
BEAUTY WITH CONFIDENCE !”
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School of Health and Allied Sciences
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School of Health and Allied Sciences
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