It is the curse of most teenagers as they endure adolescence. The dreaded pimple, whitehead, blackhead, zit, papule, pustule, blemish or other variety of acne bursting out on the neck, chest and back or, worst of all, in the most obvious position to everyone – on the face. The unsightly eruptions can be most embarrassing – particularly for young people going through puberty, when they are already self-conscious about themselves, their self-image and their appearance.
You can control acne
You can have clear skin
Acne is an extremely common skin disorder in the United States, with 80% of people from 11 to 30 being afflicted. Contrary to popular opinion, acne is not directly caused by a poor diet, poor hygiene or wearing makeup. However for a person who already has acne, then a poor diet (eating of lots of junk food and sweets) and inadequate hygiene can certainly make things worse.
Acne is actually an inflammatory skin disorder resulting from the excess production of sebum (an oily substance) from the sebaceous glands associated with each hair follicle. This generally occurs when the body’s hormones are out of balance – which commonly occurs during puberty. If there is so much excess sebum that it blocks the pores, they can become plugged, inflamed and swollen leading to the development of swellings referred to as pimples or zits. The blocked pores can become infected with bacteria – particularly if the pimples are squeezed or the skin is touched with dirty hands.
The most severe forms of acne have the potential of leaving lifelong disfiguring scars, so the correct treatment is vital. Particularly severe cases of acne are often treated by dermatologists (doctors who specialize in skin problems). Acne is a medical condition and should be treated as such. When in doubt always seek the advice of your doctor.
