Defining Acne and Targeted Therapy

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a complex disorder of the pilosebaceous unit. The cause is multifactorial, and thus, combination treatments are necessary to combat this condition. To effectively treat this condition and relay educational materials to the patient, one must understand the "language of acne." In this article, we aim to simplify the terminology of acne by presenting a synopsis of the pathophysiology, while detailing the nomenclature of the diverse topical treatment options.