Inflammatory Acne Vulgaris: Current Concepts in Pathogenesis and Management

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory cutaneous disease and is the most common skin disease in the United States, affecting 80% of the population at some point in their lifespan. Because the pathogenesis of acne is not fully understood, it is imperative that the dermatology healthcare practitioner expand their medical knowledge on the current understanding of the development of this condition so that effective treatment strategies may be explored and initiated with confidence. There is need for dermatologists to expand their knowledge of the rationale for combination therapy for the treatment of inflammatory acne, and to understand the efficacy of fixed dose combinations in the reduction of inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions and acne severity and the reduction in skin irritation and dryness.