What is acne? Acne is one of the most common of all skin problems. It affects most teenagers to some degree and even many adults. Acne shows up as whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and, in some people, deep painful bumps that look and feel like boils. Acne most commonly occurs on the face but can also appear on the back, chest, shoulders and neck (Fig. 1). It is estimated that as many as 70 million people suffer from acne. In most people, acne clears up after a few years. But at its worst, acne can cause permanent scarring of the skin (Fig.2). And even when there are few physical marks left, the emotional ones can be devastating. Learn what kids say about acne and about feeling free once the acne is gone. What causes acne? If you had acne when you were younger, chances are your child will, too. Studies have shown that a majority of acne can be linked to genetic factors. Acne usually begins around puberty, when members of both sexes experience an increase in the production of hormones. These hormones regulate the activity and size of the oil-producing, or sebaceous, glands that reside in the pores, or hair follicles of the skin. The increased production of these hormones causes the oil glands to get bigger in the areas where acne occurs. The sebaceous glands make an oily substance called sebum. Sebum travels through the hair follicles to the surface of the skin. The lining of the wall of the hair follicle sheds skin cells, which then stick together with the sebum. The follicle gets clogged, plugging up the opening in the surface of the skin. Whiteheads and blackheads are the result of this clogging of the pores. The sebum and cell debris together contribute to the growth of bacteria that live in your pores. Your own body will naturally attempt to clear the clogged pores by sending in certain specialized cells that invade the follicle to help clean it up. However, in the process, the wall of the follicle may weaken and rupture, emptying the contents of the follicle into the surrounding tissue. When this occurs, swelling or redness can develop around the affected follicle, resulting in the larger bumps or pimples characteristic of acne. These are known as papules and pustules and can sometimes cause scarring. From the beginning until its disappearance, the life cycle of a pimple can take eight weeks to run its course. And it can take even longer for the darkened spots left by some acne pimples to fade completely. Watch an animation of how acne develops. The aim of acne therapy is to get rid of the blemishes present on the face and, more importantly, to target the root cause of acne by unclogging the plugged pores and keeping them clear. Learn more about getting to the root of the problem.
		2008