Acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms.  Acne affects most teenagers to some extent.  However, the disease is not restricted to any age group; adults in their 20s - even into their 40s - can get acne.  While acne usually clears up after several years even if untreated, you need not wait to outgrow it, untreated acne can leave lifelong scars.

How Acne Forms

Rising hormone levels during adolescence (puberty) cause the oil (sebaceous) glands of the skin to get bigger.  These glands are found in areas where acne is common (the face, upper back, and chest).  They are stimulated by male hormones found in both males and females.

The glands are connected to a hair-containing canal called a follicle.  The sebaceous glands make an oily substance called sebum which reaches the surface by emptying through the opening of the follicle on to the skin surface.  The oil (sebum) seems to stimulate the lining of the follicle.  The cells from the lining shed more rapidly and stick together, forming a plug at the skin surface.  The mixture of oil and cells also helps bacteria in the follicles grow.  These bacteria make chemicals that can cause the wall of the follicle to break.  Then sebum, bacteria and shed skin cells spill into the skin causing redness, swelling and pus - a pimple.

Cleansing

Acne is not caused by dirt.  The black in a blackhead is dried oil and shed skin cells in the openings of the hair follicles, not dirt.  For the normal care of your skin, wash your face with soap and warm water twice a day.  Washing too often may actually make your acne worse.  Regular shampooing is also recommended.  If your hair is oily, you may want to wash it more often.  Your Dermatologist can recommend the best face and hair washing routine.

Men with acne who shave should try both an electric and a safety razor to see which is more comfortable.  If you use a safety raser, soften your beard thoroughly with soap and warm water before applying shaving cream.  To avoid nicking pimples, shave as lightly as possible.  Shave only when necessary and always use a sharp blade.1