Adolescent Dermatology

Teen Acne

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Each follicle contains a tiny hair and multiple sebaceous glands. Under normal circumstances, sebum, the oily substance made by the sebaceous glands, travels up the hair follicle and out to the skin’s surface. However, with acne, the sticky cells form a plug, sebum is trapped within the follicle and skin bacteria multiply within the clogged pores. Acne develops on those areas of the skin where sebaceous glands are most numerous: the face, scalp, neck, chest, back, and upper arms and shoulders. Acne typically begins in adolescence, although onset in the twenties or thirties is common.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a subset of acne that produces acne-like cysts of apocrine glands in the underarms and groin. This can be successfully treated by Hughes Dermatology.

See Treatment options for Teen Acne

Hughes Dermatology is a participant in the FDA iPledge program for isotretinoin (Accutane) prescribing. This is a mandated risk-management program for isotretinoin prescribing.