GLOSSARY

Acne vulgaris : Medical term for common acne, which involves the presence of blackheads, whiteheads, papules and/or pustules. Common acne arising from an increased keratinization and blockage of sebaceous glands. The accumulated sebum can’t escape so bacteria invade it and cause infection.

Acne pimples : Blockage of the duct of the sebaceous gland by a keratin-sebum plug. Sebum continues to be secreted. The gland swells, becoming thick, hard and distended. A papule forms.

Androgens : Hormones that stimulate sebaceous glands in addition to other effects on the body. Present in both men and women, androgens are responsible for physical maturation for men at puberty and therefore occur in higher levels in males.

Antibiotics : Plant or synthetic active substances that can inhibit or kill bacteria. Antibiotics can be applied topically as ointments or creams to the skin or administered orally as tablets.

Benzoyl peroxide : A peeling agent for topical acne therapy. Benzoyl peroxide loosens the keratin plug and also has an antimicrobial effect.

Blackhead : A non-inflammatory acne lesion that is filled with excess oil and dead skin cells. Blackheads are also called open comedomes because the surface of the skin remains open.

Comedones: Acne lesions. Plugged sebaceous gland. There are two types, open comedones (blackheads) and closed comedones (whiteheads).

Cysts : A closed sac or pouch containing fluid or semifluid material.

Dermabrasion : Abrasion of the skin either with glass paper or sandpaper or with high-speed grinders to treat acne scars.

Erythromycin: Antibiotic for treatment of inflammatory forms of acne. Besides being antibacterial, it has a marked antiinflammatory effect.

Follicle : The tiny shaft in the skin through which a hair grows, and sebum is excreted from sebaceous glands to the surface of the skin.

Glycolic acid : A natural occurring compound and member of the chemical family referred to as: ALPHA HYDROXY ACIDS.

Glycolic Acid is the most activeof the Alpha-Hydroxy-Acids (AHA) in skin care and is made from sugar cane. Effective in preventing the clogging of pores.

Hormones : Chemical substances produced by the body that, depending on the hormone, govern many body processes. Certain hormones cause physical maturation during puberty. These are the ones implicated in acne.

Irritation: Reaction to a substance that produces a more or less local inflammatory reaction.

Isotretinoin: A substance related to vitamin A acid for oral treatment of severe forms of acne. It should not be used in women of child-bearing age because it may cause severe fetal abnormalities.

Inflammatory : A word that means "causing inflammation." In acne, "inflammatory" is usually used to describe lesions that are inflamed by chemical reactions or bacteria in clogged follicles.

Keloid : Large raised scar that spreads beyond the size of the original wound.

Lipids : Oily substances that include things like fats, oils and waxes. Sebum is made up of lipids. A particular kind of lipid, free fatty acids, are irritating to the skin.

Melanin : Dark pigment that gives hair and skin its color.

Microcomedo : The first stage of comedo formation; a comedo so small that it can be seen only with a microscope.

Minocycline: A form of oral tetracycline antibiotic with an antiinflammatory as well as an antibacterial effect.

Nodule : A large, painful acne bump that can last for an extended period of time.

Noncomedogenic : Not likely to cause comedones.

Papule : An inflammatory comedo that resembles a small, red bump on the skin.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation : Excessive skin darkening at places where the skin was inflamed.

Propionibacterium acnes : (P. acnes) Medical name for the bacteria causing acne that are present on the skin and in the sebaceous glands. When there are too many in a clogged pore a pimple forms.

Protective acid mantle: The natural acidic (pH 4-7) film formed on the skin from secretions of the skin glands that protects against pathogens.

Puberty : The time of life when a person begins the physical maturation process toward adulthood. Onset is usually in the early teens and is accompanied by a large increase in hormone production.

Pustule : An inflammatory comedo that resembles a whitehead but with a ring of red inflammation around it.

Sebaceous glands : Glands in the skin that produce an oily substance called sebum--these glands are the sites of acne lesions. Sebaceous glands are attached to hair follicles and are found mostly on the face, neck, back and chest.

Sebum : The oily substance produced by sebaceous glands.

Surfactants: Various types of man-made cleansers, some particularly well suited to cleansing acne prone skin.

Systemic therapy : Treatment that consists of taking medication internally, such as in pill form or by injection or infusion.

Testosterone: Male sex hormone that is present in men and women in a fixed ratio. Too much testosterone increases sebum production and hence the risk of acne.

Tetracyclines: Antibiotics with a broad action spectrum for oral treatment of severe forms of acne.

Tretinoin: Another name for vitamin A acid or retinoic acid.

White blood cells : Components of the blood that help fight off infections. They are found in large number in whiteheads.

Whitehead : An acne lesion that happens when oil and skin cells block the opening of a hair follicle.

The commentary on this web site is researched and based upon the writngs and opinions of medical doctors, nutricionists, herbalists and other health and wellness experts as well as upon the experiences of others who have suffered from acne. Nevertheless, it is not meant to replace in any way the advice you can get from your medical practitioner. Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. You and your doctor can then determine together if any of the advice found here constitutes a suitable therapy or adjunctive therapy in your particular circumstances