Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory condition of the piloseba-ceous unit affecting up to 87% of adolescents. The condition can persist into adulthood in half of those affected. At age 40 years, acne lesions persist in 5% of women and 1% of men. Acne vulgaris presents with a spectrum of lesions including open and closed comedones (blackheads and whiteheads, respectively), erythematous papules and pustules, and cystic nodules. Lesions occur in areas with the greatest density of pilosebaceous units—the face, neck, chest, and back. Severe acne can be disfiguring and may result in permanent scarring, resulting in significant psychosocial disability.
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