WHY ME? Acne is a devastating, complicated, genetic skin disease that causes psychic trauma to the sufferer. General insecurity and feelings of inferiority as well as unsightly lesions and scarring may permanently change a person’s life and their way the worldview. But once acne is under control, acne sufferers have an improved quality of life.

WHAT IS ACNE? Acne starts below the surface of the skin in the sebaceous follicle. During puberty these follicles enlarge and sebum production is increased. Genetic predisposition leads to follicular keratinization or the retention of the cells in the follicle.  Corynebacterium acnes (C.acnes) also called Propionibacterium acnes (P.acnes), a normal flora present in the skin, start to proliferate in the follicle. Fifty percent of the sebum is made up of triglyceride, and the C.acnes produce an enzyme that splits the triglyceride into fatty acids and glycerol.  The severity of the acne is not directly related to the number of C. acnes or the amount of the triglyceride breakdown.

The deciding factor here is how genetically the individual’s skin reacts to the irritating fatty acids produced by the enzymatic breakdown of the sebum by the C. acnes. In non-diseased skin the cells of the follicle or keratinous material is normally shed and pushed to the surface, whereas in the diseased follicle these cells are retained in the follicle.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? As the cells pack together and sludge up in the follicular canal they create closed comedones or “whiteheads.” The closed comedones may have no apparent opening to the surface of the skin, and may never appear to have an opening.  On the other hand those that do open appear as unsightly “blackheads.” Both types of acne may never become inflamed or the follicular wall may rupture causing papules, pustules and cysts.  Neutrophils adamosis utilize the C.acnes as food that releases hydrolytic enzymes, thus further irritating the follicle wall. This enzymatic action then releases cellular trash into the dermis. The white blood cells rush in to counteract this action and dissolve part of the follicular wall, which may cause a permanent scar.  This drama, which takes place unseen below the surface of the skin, produces an unattractive and traumatic disease.

1. A battle against acne.
2. What Else Does and Doesn't Affect Acne?
3. What Are the Goals Of An Effective Acne Treatment Program?
4. Which Vivant products should I use?

	Clear Complexion System I For dry, combination skin Clear Complexion System II For oily skin