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An estimated 85 percent of teenagers get acne, according to the University of California. See more pictures of getting beautiful skin.
Pimple, zit, blackhead, blemish. Acne can be embarrassing, painful and just plain gross -- no matter what you call it. If you have acne, you're not alone. Eighty-five percent of people between the ages of 12 and 24 have facial acne, and so do 25 percent of adults between the ages of 25 and 44. [source: Science Daily].
You can treat and prevent acne, but it's important to understand what you're treating. Acne traces its roots to the oil glands in the skin, which produce oil that keeps skin moisturized. Sometimes the natural balance of the glands is thrown off when hormone levels alter oil production, such as during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Hormones, testosterone in particular, can enlarge oil glands and produce excess oil. This oil then seeps into hair follicles, along with dead skin cells, and clogs them. The result is acne [source: AAD].
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Acne comes in several forms. Among these are blackheads, which appear black and remain open to the air, and whiteheads, which close over and appear as white bumps. Other types of acne appear as red, raised bumps or nodules. The most severe form of acne is cysts, which run deep into the skin and contain white blood cells. Though not as common, cysts can be the most difficult acne to treat [source: AAD].
If left untreated, acne can cause scarring and future breakouts. It's important to treat existing acne as soon as possible and create a daily skin care regimen to prevent acne from returning. If you tend to your skin daily, you should be able to prevent severe acne breakouts.
To learn how to develop an acne care regimen that works for you, keep reading.
