Keywords
Dysbiosis
Anxiety
Stress
How to Cite
Abstract
Acne, scientifically known as acne vulgaris, is a chronic inflammatory condition of the pilosebaceous unit, extremely common, with an estimated global prevalence affecting approximately 80% of the population at some point in life. Although it is generally a simple condition, it directly interferes with the quality of life and self-esteem of affected patients. Its pathophysiology is still underexplored in clinical practice, limiting its treatment to traditional approaches that are often insufficient for lesion resolution. Considering this, the present study aims to elucidate the role of the brain-gut-skin axis in acne formation, understanding how these skin lesions are either a cause or consequence of imbalances in the gastrointestinal system—such as dysbiosis—and in the nervous system, especially regarding mental health conditions and symptoms such as stress, anxiety, and depression. To achieve this, a systematic literature review was conducted, utilizing the LILACS, SciELO, and PUBMED databases. The review included studies in English, Spanish, and Portuguese from 2019 to 2024, with 33 articles selected for precise analysis.
The study observed a close relationship between the axis connecting the nervous, gastrointestinal, and skin systems in the development of acne lesions. Stress was strongly linked to acne onset through activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis, while skin lesions, affecting self-esteem and social stigma, also triggered stress and anxiety. The gut microbiota, in turn, was shown to be closely related to acne both through dysbiosis and dietary influences on human metabolism. Thus, it was concluded that the brain-gut-skin axis is not only related to acne pathophysiology but can also contribute significantly to making its treatment more effective by incorporating complementary therapies aimed at improving lesion appearance, intestinal function, and patients' mental health.
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Copyright (c) 2024 Maria Eduarda da Silva Cursino Ribeiro, Gabrielle dos Santos Moreira , Victória Silveira Abril, Letícia Maria Cardoso Lima Rodrigues , Ingridy Evangelista Viana Lucena