ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my special thanks to our principal Mr. Anand Nair and
Birla Public School for giving me the golden opportunity to do this wonderful
Biology project.
I would also like to thank my Biology teacher Dr. Premraj Loganathan for his
continuous guidance and support throughout this project.
Last but not the least I would also like to express my gratitude towards the lab
technicians and lab assistants without whom this project wouldn’t have been
complete
INDEX
Sr no. Topic Pg no
1. Introduction to acne, discovery & causes 5
2. Formation of acne 6
3. Role of cutibacterium acnes 7
4. Symptoms and types of acne 9
5. Victims of acne 11
6. Difference between acne and pimples 11
7. Prevention 11
8. Bibliography 12
What is acne?
• Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles (small sac or gland like
structures also called sebaceous glands which secretes a fluid known as sebum)
become plugged with oil and dead skin cells.
• Acne usually appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders.
• Acne commonly starts during puberty between the ages of 10 and 13 and tends to
be worse in people with oily skin. Teenage acne usually lasts for five to 10 years,
normally going away during the early 20s
Discovery of Acne
Acne is probably one of the most common diseases in dermatology. In 1931, Bruno
Bloch was the first to point out, after examining some 4000 girls and boys in Zurich,
Switzerland, that acne, particularly in the form of comedones, was so frequent in young
persons that it could be regarded as a physiological manifestation of puberty. Acne has
plagued mankind since antiquity. King Tut (1355–1337 a.d.) had unmistakable acne
scars, and his tomb contained a variety of medications for treating this disorder
Cause of Acne
1. Hormonal Changes: These changes tend to happen during puberty,
menstruation, or pregnancy and can result in an overproduction of oil in the skin.
2. Overproduction of Oil: Sebum is the oil that keeps the skin moist, created by the
sebaceous glands within the skin. If these glands make too much oil, pores
become clogged.
3. Bacteria: Many types of bacteria live on the skin, one being Propionibacterium
acnes. This type of bacteria thrives within clogged pores and promotes
inflammation.
4. Dead Skin Cells: When skin cells fail to exfoliate properly, they can accumulate
and block the follicles of the hair.
5. Diet: Some evidence suggests that, in certain individuals, high glycemic foods
and dairy products can act to worsen their acne, although this would vary from
individual to individual and would have to be researched.
6. Stress: Stressors have been known to increase the level of certain hormones in
the body responsible for flare-ups of acne.
7. Medications: medications such as corticosteroids will cause acne to worsen.
Biological processes behind formation of an Acne
Formation of acne: brief
Acne is caused when tiny holes in the skin, known as hair follicles, become blocked.
Sebaceous glands are tiny glands found near the surface of your skin. The glands are
attached to hair follicles, which are small holes in your skin that an individual hair grows
out of.
Sebaceous glands lubricate the hair and the skin to stop it drying out. They do this by
producing an oily substance called sebum.
In acne, the glands begin to produce too much sebum. The excess sebum mixes with
dead skin cells and both substances form a plug in the follicle.
Ifthe plugged follicle is close to the surface of the skin, it bulges outwards, creating a w
hitehead. Alternatively, the plugged follicle can be open
to the skin, creating a blackhead.
Normally harmless bacteria that live on the skin can then contaminate and infect the plu
gged follicles, causing papules, pustules ,nodules or cysts
1. Overproduction of Sebum
● Sebaceous Glands: These glands are located in the dermis and are responsible
for producing sebum, an oily substance that moisturizes and protects the skin.
● Hormonal Influence: During the onset of puberty or at any other such period
when the hormones are in a state of turmoil-for example, menstrual
cycles-androgens, otherwise known as male hormones, result in the enlargement
and stimulation of sebaceous glands, leading to an excessive amount of sebum
being produced in turn.
2. Clogging of Hair Follicles
● Dead Skin Cells: Skin cells normally die and flake off by a process known as
desquamation. If this process is hindered, then the skin cells can build up in the
follicle of the hair.
● Combination of Oil and Dead Cells: The excess sebum begins to combine with
the dead skin cells to form a plug in the follicle. This blockage of the follicle may
appear as a whitehead, if covered, or a blackhead, if exposed to air.
3. Bacterial Growth
● Propionibacterium acnes: This bacterium lives on the skin and in the rex area
of clogged follicles.
● Proliferation: The clogged follicle is an ideal place for P. acnes to multiply, thus
causing inflammation.
4. Inflammatory Response
● Immune Reaction: The bacterial overgrowth is recognized by the body's
defense mechanism and thus initiates an immune response. White blood cells
are sent to the area, resulting in inflammation.
● Papules and Pustules: Inflammation typically manifests the characteristic
redness, edema, and tenderness of the acne lesion. If the follicle ruptures, these
inflammatory mediators may spill into the surrounding tissue, causing more
severe lesions, such as cysts.
5. Scarring
● Tissue Damage: The severity and chronicity of the acne lesions contribute to
structural damage of the skin, which results in scarring.In the healing process, it
may form some fibrous tissue, which when the skin sets, will give rise to raised or
depressed scars.
Which microorganism causes acne?
Propionibacterium acnes (P acnes) now called Cutibacterium and Staphylococcus
epidermidis are normal skin inhabitants that are frequently isolated from lesions caused
by acne, and these microorganisms are considered to contribute to the inflammation of
acne
Role of Cutibacterium acnes
Cutibacterium acnes is a commensal bacterium; that is, it normally resides on the
skin without causing harm. It plays an important role in maintaining good skin health
by competing with pathogenic bacteria.
Anaerobic Environment:
Acne is a follicular disorder that is prone to obstruction of the sebaceous follicles by
accumulated sebum and dead skin cells. This creates an anaerobic, low-oxygen
environment, which is optimal for the growth of C. acnes.
Bacterial Overgrowth:
In the hair follicles, the bacteria C. acnes can overgrow without control. The
overgrowth of the bacteria is one of the major pathogenic factors that worsen acne.
Inflammatory Response:
Its presence is known to induce an immune response. Such bacteria are capable of
elaborating a number of products from a biological standpoint, which may elicit
inflammation-including lipases and other inflammatory mediators.
The typical signs, such as redness, oedema and pain, characterizing acne lesions
represent the final result of this immune response.
Biofilm Formation:
C. acnes can form biofilms-consolidations of bacteria enclosed in a protective
matrix. This makes it more difficult for the immune system to clear the bacteria and
can contribute to chronic inflammation.
Other Bacteria:
Whereas C. acnes is the main bacterium implicated in acne, other bacteria may
also be involved in the disease process, particularly in severe cases or with regard
to secondary infections:
Staphylococcus epidermidis: further skin bacterium present in large numbers over
the skin, giving rise to acne.
Staphylococcus aureus: this skin-infecting bacterium may aggravate acne through
colonization of inflamed lesions.
Is Acne Infectious or Non-infectious?
• There are some skin problems that are contagious, but acne isn't one of them.
Common acne can't be passed from person to person like a cold or flu.
• The bacteria that live on the skin and contribute to acne may
also cause infections after surgery, including infections in the brain, researchers
say. The microbes may even spur some cells to become cancerous.
Symptoms and types Of Acne
Acne signs vary depending
on the severity of your
condition: There are
varieties of acne
symptoms:
This can range from
non-inflamed bumps and
blackheads to
inflamed,red pimples and
pustules. The most
severe symptoms are seen
in cystic acne, which can
lead to scarring.
Symptoms of acne
are divided into
2 categories:
● Inflamed Symptoms
● Non inflamed symptoms
1. Non inflamed symptoms
Non inflamed symptoms – (Comedonal Acne); doesn't cause redness or pain.
Although they sometimes feel like sandpaper when touching the surface.
• Whiteheads (closed clogged pores)- It forms when dead skin cells, oil, and
bacteria become trapped within one of your pores. Whiteheads, also known as
closed comedones, are follicles that are filled with the same material as blackheads
but have only a microscopic opening to the skin surface. Since the air cannot reach
the follicle, the material is not oxidized and remains white.
• Blackheads (open clogged pores)- Blackheads, also known as open comedones,
are follicles that have a wider than normal opening. (Undergoing a chemical reaction
resulting in melanin oxidation. Basically, the sebum forms a white like substance
which when comes in contact with air and other gases oxidizes the substance and it
slowly turns black). Found in the nose but also found in other parts of the body.
2. Inflamed Symptoms
Symptoms which result in red, swollen pimples. Symptoms vary according to the
type of acne; It can be mild or can be severe (Swollen, leave the skin scarred, etc)
Examples: Papules, Pustules, While nodules and cysts—which are larger and
develop in deeper layers of the skin; lesions, Cysts, Nodules can be seen in more
severe cases.
• Small red, tender bumps (papules)- these are also known as early pimples. When
excess oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells push deeper into the skin and cause
inflammation (redness and swelling), you'll see small, red bumps. They feel hard. If
you have a lot of papules, the area may feel like sandpaper. Sometimes a papule will
turn into pustules.
• Pimples (pustules), which are papules with pus at their tips (red, inflamed, with a
white head)
• Large, solid, painful lumps under the skin (nodules): Unlike regular pimples that
often heal within a few days, acne nodules may last for weeks or months. They tend
not to develop a white head and may remain as hard knots under the skin. However,
most acne go away within a week or two at max, nodules will only be cured when
treated.
• Painful, pus-filled lumps under the skin (cystic lesions): Cystic acne is the most
serious type of acne. It develops when cysts form deep underneath your skin.
Although anyone can develop acne, cystic acne tends to occur in people with oily
skin.
Victims of Acne
• Acne is most common among teenagers, though it affects people of all ages.
• Studies also show that people who have stress can also develop acne.
• Scientifically acne related symptoms show up due to the activeness of sweat and
oil glands.
• Acne occurring in people with diseases also have many factors;
For Example, people with Diabetes have less resistance to skin and tissue infections
• Effective acne treatments are available, but acne can be persistent.
Difference between acne and pimple
The difference between acne and pimples is that acne is a disease and pimples are
one of its symptoms. Acne is a condition affecting the skin's hair follicles and oil
glands. Pimples are nothing but a less severe form of inflammatory acne.
Prevention
1) Keep your face clean : it's important to wash your face twice daily to remove
impurities, dead skin cells, and extra oil from your skin's surface. Using a harsh soap
(like deodorant body soap) can hurt already inflamed
2) Keep your hands off your face : Avoid touching your face or propping your cheek or
chin on your hands. Never pick or pop pimples with your fingers, as it can lead
to infection and scarring.
3) Maintain a healthy diet : Most experts agree that certain foods, like chocolate, don't
cause pimples. Still, it makes sense to avoid greasy food and junk food and add more
fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains to your diet. Dairy products and foods high in
processed sugar may trigger acne. Avoid these.
4) Exercise : Regular exercise is good for your whole body, including your skin. When
you exercise, avoid wearing clothing or using exercise equipment that rubs your skin
and may cause irritation. Shower or bathe right after exercise
5) Reduce stress: stress doesn’t cause pimples, but it may make them worse.
Research has shown that when you’re stressed, your body produces
more oil-stimulating hormones.
Medications applied topically
1)Salicylic acid : is available over-the-counter for acne, as a cleanser or lotion. It helps
remove the top layer of damaged skin. Salicylic acid dissolves dead skin cells to prevent
your hair follicles from clogging.
2)Azelaic acid : a natural acid found in various grains such as barley, wheat and rye. It
kills microorganisms on the skin and reduces swelling.
3) Dapzone : is a topical gel, which also has antibacterial properties, can be used for
inflamed acne. It’s applied to the skin twice a day.
4) Antibiotics : (topical types include clindamycin and erythromycin) control surface
bacteria that aggravate and often encourage the swelling of acne. Antibiotics are more
effective when combined with benzoyl peroxide.
5) Steroids : Rarely, steroids can be used to treat severe acne or injected into
large nodules to reduce inflammation
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/ss/slide
show-acne-dictionary
2. NHS- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/
3. National Institute of Health-
https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/acne
4. Acne basics | 3D animation -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbEqpYTkuXg
