Hyperkeratinisation

Hyperkeratinisation is a disorder of the cells lining the inside of a hair follicle.

Normally, cells detach from the skin lining at normal intervals every 21 days. The dead cells are forced out of the follicle primarily by the growing hair. However, in hyperkeratinisation, the dead skin cells do not leave the follicle because of an excess of keratin, a natural protein found in the skin. This excess of keratin results in an increased adherence of dead skin cells. This cohesion of cells will block the hair follicle or clog the sebaceous/oil duct leading to acne.