The Question of Adolescent and Postadolescent Acne: The Nigerian Experience

Abstract

Introduction: Differences between adolescent and postadolescent acne are increasingly being recognized. This study aimed to document the clinical profile of facial acne vulgaris and, additionally, to compare adolescent to postadolescent acne and any gender-based differences. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study of 261 facial acne vulgaris patients was conducted from February 2021 to March 2022 at three dermatology clinics. Patients had their anthropometric measurements, type of acne lesions, and severity and scarring assessed. Results: A total of 261 patients (75.5% females) with a mean age of 24.5 (±7.4) years were diagnosed to have facial acne vulgaris. The severity of acne was mild in 44.8%, moderate in 48.3%, and severe in 6.9%. Acne was noninflammatory in 69.7%, inflammatory in 13.0%, and mixed in 17.2%. Adolescent and postadolescent acne significantly differed in the type of acne, BMI, type of acne lesions, and acne scarring. Gender-based differences included BMI, lesions of acne, and severity. Conclusion: There is an increasing prevalence of postadolescent acne with persistent being the most common category. There are significant differences between adolescent and postadolescent acne: type of acne, BMI, type of acne lesions, and acne scarring. Gender-based differences exist in both adolescent and postadolescent acne.