A Brief Review on Acne Vulgaris: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common dermatological disorders that afflict people in their adolescence. Acne vulgaris or simply known as acne is a human skin disease characterized by skin with scaly red skin (seborrhea), blackheads and whiteheads (comedones), pinheads (papules), large papules (nodules), pimples and scarring. Acne vulgaris is a disease of pilosebaceous unit characterized by the formation of open and closed comedones, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts. Acne affects skin having dense sebaceous follicles in areas including face, chest and back. Acne is not life threatening but severe acne can affect psychological status and social activities. The present review focuses on an epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and management of acne with the pharmaceutical dosage forms of oral and topical administrations. Various medicines for acne treatment includes benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, antiseborrheic medications, sulfur and sodium Sulphacetamide, anti-androgen medications, salicylic acid, hormonal treatments, alpha hydroxy acid, retinoids, azelaic acid, keratolytic soaps and nicotinamide. Currently laser and light devices and minor subcision surgery have been also performed for acne treatment. Keywords: Acne vulgaris, comedones, pilosebaceous unit, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, laser treatment