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Cited by 163Acne and Rosacea Treatments and EffectsDermatology and Skin DiseasesHidradenitis Suppurativa and Treatments

New understandings of the pathogenesis of acne

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Leyden, James J·1995·Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
DOI 10.1016/0190-9622(95)90416-6
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Abstract

of the pathogenesis of acne Pennsylvania Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disease, affecting nearly 80% of young adults aged 11 to 30.'Not only can it cause disfiguration and permanent scarring, but it can have an adverse effect on psychologic development, resulting in profound emotional scarring, which may lead to social phobias, withdrawal from society, and clinical depression2Research during the past three decades has confirmed the multifactorial origins of the disease.Even the most difficult cases may now be controlled by using rational therapies based on current concepts of pathogenesis.This article reviews the pathophysiologic factors that influence the development of acne,3 most notably ( 1) excessive sebum production, (2) abnormal desquamation of sebaceous follicle epithelium (comedogenesis), and (3) proliferation of Propionibacterium acne+ resulting in inflammation. SEBACEOUS GLANDS AND SEBUMThe pilosebaceous unit consists of sebaceous glands and hair follicles.Sebaceous glands and hair follicles are physically connected and usually vary inversely in size.These units are located in all skin areas except the palms and soles.There are approximately 900 glands per square centimeter on the face (particularly at midface), upper neck, and chest.The rest of the body averages fewer than 100 glands per square centimeter."Free" sebaceous glands (those not attached to a hair follicle) that open to the surface of the skin are present in the meibomian glands of the eyelid, the areolae of the nipples, and

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  • Peroxidated squalene along with unsaturated free fatty acids has been reported to be comedogenic and responsible for pathological skin conditions.

    “On the other hand, peroxidated squalene along with unsaturated free fatty acids (FFA), has been reported to be comedogenic and therefore responsible for pathological skin conditions.8,9”

    From Sebaceous-immunobiology is orchestrated by sebum lipids (2017) · cites this paper as [9]

    In “The follicular canal in acne” (page not provided), the paper reports that squalene and free fatty acids are comedogenic in a rabbit-ear model and discusses squalene peroxides as a possible contributor to comedogenesis. It does not specifically identify unsaturated free fatty acids as the comedogenic group, and its tentative account of acne does not establish that these lipids are responsible for pathological skin conditions generally. (LLM, conf=0.85)

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Research works printed but not linked: 65

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Authors
Leyden, J. J.
Affiliations
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (US)
Corresponding author
Leyden, James J
Venue
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1995-05
Volume
32
Issue
5
Pages
S15-S25
ISSN
0190-9622 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/0190-9622(95)90416-6
OpenAlex
W2057469247
Cited by
163
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 4
FWCI
0.83
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Acne and Rosacea Treatments and Effects
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatology and Skin Diseases
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Treatments
Keywords
acne, acne pathogenesis, sebum overproduction, sebaceous glands, pilosebaceous unit, comedones, Propionibacterium acnes, follicular inflammation, multifactorial etiology
MeSH terms
Acne Vulgaris, Humans, Sebaceous Glands, Sebum

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