Bacteria Secretes Sticky Glue, Causing Acne

Propionibacterium acnes (P.acnes) is the bacteria found in acne. A new study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology has shed some light on how it wreaks its damage.

P. acnes lives in a biofilm, an aggregation of bacterial organisms and sticky extracellular substance, that allows it to stick to the wall of the hair follicle. This sticky substance also causes the skin cells to stick together, limiting their ability to shed. These stuck-together skin cells (keratinocytes) then block the hair follicle, forming a keratin plug and trapping the natural oils (sebum) below the surface. When the pressure from this trapped oil builds up, a pimple is born. The acne bacteria then live happily encased in their protective biofilm, trapped in the follicle.

This is why combination therapy is most effective against acne; if you don’t break up the keratin plug on the skin’s surface, then antibacterial medications cannot penetrate and won’t work.

Proactiv® works by employing an mild acid to break up the plugged pores and an antibacterial to kill the P. acnes. Prescription acne therapy works similarly. I often prescribe a retinoid, like Retin-A, to break-up the keratin plugs and an antibiotic, like benzoyl peroxide or clindamycin, to kill the bacteria.

Unfortunately, even with the appropriate combination therapy, it still takes up to 12 weeks to clear up your acne. On the up side, if you follow this regimen daily, you really will see results.

Burkhart, CG and Burkart, CN. Expanding the microcomedone theory and acne therapeutics: Propionibacterium acnes biofilm produces biological glue that holds corneocytes together to form plug. J Am Acad Dermatol 2007;57:22-4

January 16, 2008 | Filed Under Acne, Dermatology News, Mini Med School: Derm 101 

Comments

3 Responses to “Bacteria Secretes Sticky Glue, Causing Acne”

  1. Emiline on January 16th, 2008 11:40 pm

    Dr. Benabio, I just found your blog. This is an interesting post, for me, because I’ve struggled with skin problems, since I was 16, and now I’m 22.
    Would you recommend taking echinacea for acne?

  2. Dr. Benabio on January 17th, 2008 5:29 am

    There are no studies showing that taking echinacea can help acne. If you have tried over the counter acne treatments and your acne persists, then make an appointment with your dermatologist. There are plenty of oral and topical treatments that do have good studies to support their efficacy.

    Hang in there, acne can be tough to beat, but we always win in the end.

  3. Pickel on May 24th, 2008 5:43 am

    Those are Great Tips! Thank You for this in depth information about acne and how to get rid of it.

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