It's Not Your Fault

Acne is not caused by eating chocolate, greasy foods or bad hygiene. It is caused by simply growing up — puberty and pimples seem to go hand in hand.

People of every ethnic background, nationality, size and shape will probably experience acne during their teen years. During puberty, your body starts producing hormones called androgens that contribute to acne. This is a natural part of human development and, consequently, there's nothing to be done about it. Unfortunately, boys are probably going to have more severe breakouts than girls. This reverses when girls are in their 20s, 30s and 40s, when female acne is more common than that of males.

Where it All Begins

An acne breakout starts in the skin's tiny holes, commonly called pores. It takes about two to three weeks before a blemish shows up on the skin's surface.

Deep within each pore is a sebaceous gland that works to produce sebum, an oil that keeps skin soft and moist. As the skin renews itself, old skin cells die and are shed off. Under the best circumstances this happens evenly and gradually, making way for fresh new skin. But some people shed skin unevenly and as a result, dead cells mix with sebum and clump together to form a sticky plug. This plug traps oil and bacteria inside the pore — the beginning of a blemish. During puberty, hormones accelerate oil-producing sebaceous glands into hyperdrive, putting teen skin at particular risk for acne.

What to Do

First and foremost, don't hesitate to see a dermatologist about your acne. In the meantime, here are some basic skincare tips and advice that can help prevent or ease problems with breakouts:

• Don't overwash or use harsh scrubs. Acne is not caused by dirt. Two gentle washings a day is sufficient. Anything more can leave healthy skin dry and irritated, triggering the glands to produce even more oil. The result being even more pimples.
• Don't use alcohol-based products. Alcohol strips the top layer of the skin and many astringents contain alcohol which can cause dryness and irritation. Again, this can prompt excess oil production and more blemishes.
• Beware of sweat. Working out heats up the body, and perspiration makes the skin an even more attractive environment for acne bacteria to grow. Take a shower as soon as possible after vigorous physical activity.
• Don't squeeze or pick. It's important to adopt a strict "hands off" policy when it comes to acne. Trying to pop pimples on your own can drive acne bacteria deeper into the skin. Picking can lead to more inflammation and permanent scarring.
• Don't let acne define you. Remember that who you are goes beyond the condition of your skin. Smart teens acknowledge the problem, take whatever action they can to deal with it, and then get on with what really matters.