If you're a teen, chances are pretty good that you have some acne. Almost
eight in 10 teens have acne, along with many adults.
Acne is so common that it's considered a normal part of puberty. But
knowing that doesn't always make it easier when you're looking at a big pimple
on your face in the mirror. Luckily, learning about acne and taking some simple
steps can help you feel better about your face.
What Is Acne and What Causes It?
Acne is a condition of the skin that shows up as different types of bumps. These
bumps can be blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and cysts. The type of acne that a
lot of teens get is called acne vulgaris. It usually shows up on the
face, neck, shoulders, upper back, and chest.
The hair follicles, or pores, in your skin contain sebaceous glands
(also called oil glands). These glands make sebum, which is an oil that
lubricates your hair and skin.
Teens get acne because of all the hormones that come with puberty. Most of
the time, the sebaceous glands make the right amount of sebum. As a teen's
body begins to mature and develop, hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands
to make more sebum, and the glands may become overactive. Pores become clogged
if there is too much sebum and too many dead skin cells. Bacteria can then get
trapped inside the pores and multiply, causing swelling and redness - the start
of acne.
 If a pore gets clogged up and closes but bulges
out from the skin, you're left with a whitehead. If a pore gets clogged
up but stays open, the top surface can darken and you're left with a
blackhead. Sometimes the wall of the pore opens, allowing sebum,
bacteria, and dead skin cells to make their way under the skin - and you're left
with a small, red infection called a pimple. Clogged up pores that open
up very deep in the skin can cause nodules, which are infected
lumps or cysts that are bigger than pimples and can be painful.
For most people, acne goes away almost completely by the time they are out of
their teens. If your parents had acne as teens, it's more likely that you will,
too.
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