Acne is an inherited disorder in which pores shed dead skin cells much faster than normal. Typical pores shed about one layer of dead skin cells per day, and the body has no issue keeping up with this. Those who are acne-prone shed up to five layers of dead skin cells per day, and the body cannot keep up with this accelerated desquamation. The excess of skin cellular shedding coupled with sebum within the pore creates a microcomedone, the beginning of all acne lesions. This process is called retention hyperkeratosis, and it occurs when there is an accelerated production of skin cells and increased retention of dead skin cells within the pore. 

Microcomedones take around 30 to 90 days to surface on skin. When they do become visible, they appear as open and closed comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). If bacteria are introduced, they can become inflamed lesions – papules, pustules, and cysts. While acne is typically hereditary, there are many factors that can exacerbate this skin condition, like pore clogging skin care, hormonal imbalances, and certain lifestyle choices. There is no cure for acne, but it can be controlled with a combination of lifestyle choices and the right topical formulations. 

Alex Hernandez, a licensed aesthetician since 2016, serves as the clinic manager and lead educator at the Face Reality Acne Clinic in San Leandro, California. Hernandez has trained alongside Laura Cooksey, owner and co-founder of Face Reality Skincare. Among those professionals, Hernandez became a Face Reality Certified Acne Expert in 2018, through diligent practical training and the completion of the online course. Since then, Hernandez has worked with hundreds of acne clients in her aesthetics career.