What is Acne Vulgaris? What are its Epidemiology, Frequency and Risk Factors?

Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological disease characterized by inflammatory or non-inflammatory acne formations on the skin, especially seen during adolescence. This condition, which affects millions of people all over the world, is one of the most common skin problems with prevalence rates reaching up to 90% in adolescents. This prevalence shows that acne vulgaris is not only a cosmetic problem, but also has importance in terms of physical and psychological aspects.

Frequency and Distribution of Acne Vulgaris

Although clear information on the incidence of acne vulgaris is limited, numerous studies conducted in various age groups have revealed the prevalence of this disease. Some of the studies conducted in Türkiye are as follows:

In the study conducted by Tamer et al. among patients who applied to the pediatric outpatient clinic between 2004-2006, acne vulgaris (12.4%) was the most common dermatological disease.
In the study conducted by Tuncel and Erbağcı, acne was recorded as the second most common skin disease in the adolescent and post-adolescent periods with 28.6%.
In the study conducted by Yalçın et al. in the geriatric patient group, the rate of acneiform diseases was found to be 1.8%.
When evaluated in terms of gender and age group, while the prevalence of acne was found to be higher in male adolescents, acne occurs at an earlier age in girls due to the earlier onset of puberty. For example, a study conducted at the University of Glasgow revealed that there were higher prevalence rates in boys aged 16-19. In girls, it is most frequently seen between the ages of 14-17, and the prevalence rate in this age group reaches 40%.

Prevalence Rates by Age

The prevalence rates of acne vulgaris reported in different studies vary:

Tunalı et al. determined the prevalence in the 12-18 age group as 21.3% in 1980.
In a survey conducted by Büyükgebiz et al. in the Ankara-Gülveren region, acne vulgaris was detected in 4.9% of male students and 4.4% of female students in the 12-18 age group. This low rate is attributed to the fact that data was collected using a survey method.
In a study conducted by Güldü et al. with students between the ages of 7-14, the overall prevalence was reported as 16.7%, 20.2% in female students, and 13.4% in male students.
According to a survey conducted by Uslu et al. in Aydın, 83.4% of the participants stated that they had acne; 40.4% of them stated that they had mild acne, 36.5% moderate acne, and 6.5% severe acne.

These studies show that the frequency of acne varies according to the geographical region, age group, and data collection methods used. In addition, it is thought that the level of awareness about acne in society also has an effect on these rates.

Acne Prevalence Increases in Adults

Although acne vulgaris generally decreases over time, complaints continue in approximately 20% of patients after the age of 20. It is observed that there is a significant increase in the frequency of acne, especially in adult women. In a study conducted in the 40-49 age group, the prevalence of acne was 3% in men, while this rate was found to be 5% in women.

Distribution of Acne According to Severity

Acne severity is also an important epidemiological parameter. For example, in a study conducted in Australia with school-aged children, 40% of the cases had mild acne, 43% had moderate acne, and 17% had severe acne. This distribution shows that acne can progress at different severities in each individual and that treatment planning should be considered individually.

Risk Factors: What Causes Acne?

The development of acne vulgaris is affected by many factors. These include:

Genetic predisposition
Hormones (especially androgens)
Early puberty
Climatic conditions
Skin cleaning habits
Socioeconomic status
Smoking
Diet (e.g. dairy products and high glycemic index foods). However, the exact roles of these factors in the pathogenesis of acne have not yet been clearly established and further research is needed.

Conclusion: Acne is Not Just a Puberty Problem

Acne vulgaris is not just a temporary problem of puberty; It is a common and multifactorial dermatological disease that can continue into adulthood and affects the individual's quality of life. Epidemiological data show that acne is affected by gender, age, environmental factors and sociocultural factors. Therefore, it should be evaluated with a holistic and conscious approach that takes into account individual differences.

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How are Acne Scars Treated? Effective Methods for Acne Scars

Acne (acne) can negatively affect a person's quality of life not only in the active period but also with the scars it leaves after healing. Acne scars, especially those left in the facial area, can become an important problem both aesthetically and psychologically. The treatment of acne scars often requires a complex, multi-stage and personalized approach.