Journal of the Korean Medical Association  2006;49(1):63-69

doi:10.5124/jkma.2006.49.1.63

Treatment of Acne.

Kyu Uang WHANG 1

Affiliations

+expand

Keywords

Acne; Pilosebaceous Unit; Comedone; Retinoid

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a self-limited disease, seen primarily in adolescents. Most cases of acne are pleomorphic, presenting various lesions consisting of comedones, pustules, and nodules. Although it has been traditionally classified as a disease of the sebaceous gland, it actually involves the pilosebaceous unit. There are four major principles in the treatment of acne: (1) correct the altered pattern of follicular keratinization; (2) decrease the sebaceous gland activity; (3) decrease the follicular bacterial population; and (4) produce anti-inflammatory effect. The natural course of acne varies greatly, and therefore, the determination of the therapeutic efficacy of medications for the treatment of acne is far from being simple.