Acne: Transient Arrest in the Homeostatic Host–Microbiota Dialogue?

The document proposed that acne vulgaris was a transient inflammatory condition caused by the interaction between adolescent skin and its changing microbial and chemical environment, particularly involving Cutibacterium acnes and sebum. This interaction disrupted the homeostatic state of childhood skin, leading to acne's age and region-specific manifestation. Increased sebum production during puberty altered the skin microbiota, triggering an inflammatory response involving immune cells and cytokines, resulting in acne symptoms. The hypothesis was that acne represented a temporary disruption in the skin's homeostatic balance, often resolving spontaneously post-adolescence. The study emphasized the need for specific treatments to prevent permanent scarring and pigmentation, despite acne being a physiological inflammatory process.