Chinese Journal of Dermatology ›› 2024, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (4): 289-294.doi: 10.35541/cjd.20240074

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Acne vulgaris revisited: from pathogenesis to treatment strategies

Ju Qiang, Li Jiaqi   

  1. Department of Dermatology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China
  • Received:2024-02-02 Revised:2024-02-20 Online:2024-04-15 Published:2024-04-07
  • Contact: Ju Qiang E-mail:qiangju@aliyun.com
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(82373506)

Abstract: 【Abstract】 Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit. Androgen-induced sebum secretion, hyperkeratosis of the pilosebaceous duct, microbial overgrowth in hair follicles, and inflammatory and immune reactions are closely associated with the pathogenesis of acne. However, the pathogenesis and pathophysiological processes of acne remain unclear. With the progression of scientific research, the conventional understanding of acne has been constantly updated in recent years, while clinical treatment principles underwent several transformations as well. This article aims to review some latest theories on the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris and their implications in prevention and treatment from the perspectives of sex hormone levels, hair follicular microorganisms, hair follicle stem cells and pathogenesis of severe acne, so as to provide new directions and ideas for the prevention and treatment of acne vulgaris.

Key words: Acne vulgaris, Insulin‐like growth factor 1, Hair follicular microbiome, Pilosebaceous unit, Pathogenesis, Treatment strategies