Adult female acne: Clinical and therapeutic particularities (Review)

Branisteanu,Daciana Elena; Toader,Mihaela Paula; Porumb,Elena Andrese; Serban,Ionela Lacramioara; Pinzariu,Alin Constantin; Branisteanu,Catalina Ioana; Vicovan,Anastasia; Dimitriu,Andreea; Fartusnic,Isabela-Alexandra; Boda,Daniel; Branisteanu,Daniel Constantin; Brihan,Ilarie; Nicolescu,Alin Codrut

doi:10.3892/etm.2021.11074

Adult female acne: Clinical and therapeutic particularities (Review)

Authors:
- Daciana Elena Branisteanu
- Mihaela Paula Toader
- Elena Andrese Porumb
- Ionela Lacramioara Serban
- Alin Constantin Pinzariu
- Catalina Ioana Branisteanu
- Anastasia Vicovan
- Andreea Dimitriu
- Isabela-Alexandra Fartusnic
- Daniel Boda
- Daniel Constantin Branisteanu
- Ilarie Brihan
- Alin Codrut Nicolescu
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Affiliations: Department of Dermatology, ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania, Department of Oral Dermatology, ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania, Department of Physiology, ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania, Department of Faculty of Medicine, ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania, Department of Dermatology, Railway Clinical Hospital, 700506 Iasi, Romania, Department of Dermatology, ‘Arcadia’ Hospitals and Medical Centers, 700620 Iasi, Romania, Department of Dermatology, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania, Department of Ophthalmology, ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania, Department of Dermatology, Dermatology Clinic, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania, Department of Dermatology, ‘Roma’ Medical Center for Diagnosis and Treatment, 011773 Bucharest, Romania
Published online on: December 16, 2021 https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.11074
Article Number: 151
Copyright: © Branisteanu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Acne is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the pilosebaceous unit that was traditionally viewed as a disease of the adolescence. However, over the past several years, an increasing number of adult women have been reported to suffer from this condition. The prevalence of adult female acne ranges between 12 and 54%. Two clinical types can be distinguished in this population, a ‘retentional’ and an ‘inflammatory’ type, which usually tend to overlap. In terms of evolution, three main subtypes can be identified: Persistent acne, which is the most frequent subtype, late‑onset acne and recurrent acne. This type of acne is mainly mild‑to‑moderate in severity and may be refractory to conventional treatment. The etiopathogenesis is complex and has yet to be fully elucidated. It appears to involve an interaction among genetic predisposition, hormonal factors, and chronic activation of the innate immune system overlapping with external factors, such as daily stress, Western‑type diet, use of tobacco and cosmetics. The treatment may be challenging and a holistic approach is required, with special attention to the individual needs and particularities of adult women. Both topical and systemic treatments are available, with hormonal therapies being of special value in this population. The aim of the present article was to provide up‑to‑date, evidence‑based information on the clinical presentation, etiopathogenesis and treatment of adult female acne.

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