Why Do Only Humans Get Acne?

The reason why only humans develop acne is closely related to multiple physiological factors. During puberty, the levels of androgens, especially testosterone, rise rapidly in the human body, which promotes the development of sebaceous glands and leads to excessive secretion of sebum. When excessive sebum is secreted, it easily blocks the follicular sebaceous duct, forming microcomedones. Abnormal keratinization of the follicular sebaceous duct can further exacerbate the blockage, making it even more difficult for sebum to be excreted. In addition, the proliferation and infection of microorganisms residing within the hair follicles, such as Propionibacterium acnes, are also important factors in the development of acne. These microorganisms can trigger inflammatory responses in the skin, leading to the formation of acne. These factors collectively contribute to acne being a unique skin problem specific to human puberty.