However, during puberty these cells are shed more rapidly and tend to stick together. The clogged follicle becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. One type of bacteria specifically involved is Propionibacterium acnes, or P. acnes, for short. P. acnes ingests sebum and is a normal resident on skin even in people who don't have acne. However, when the sebaceous gland gets clogged, and sebum builds up inside the follicle, P. acnes multiplies rapidly.
Chemicals produced by the bacteria can cause inflammation in the the follicle and surrounding skin.
A very severe type of acne in which nodules are connected beneath the skin surface to other nodules or acne lesions. Androgens Hormones that stimulate sebaceous glands in addition to other effects on the body. Present in both males and females, androgens are responsible for physical maturation in males and therefore occur in much higher levels in males. Males tend to have more severe acne than females. An open, noninflammatory comedo.