Acne is a skin disease that clogs your pores with too much oil, causing them to burst and become inflamed--in the form of whiteheads, blackheads or pimples.
Also known as "zits," acne is especially common among teenagers because during puberty, both boys and girls produce more androgens (male sex hormones), which stimulate oil production. Acne is often hereditary, so if your parents had pimples, you're more likely to as well.
Acne can surface anywhere on the body, but it usually appears on the face, back or chest--areas where overactive, oil-producing glands tend to be concentrated.
Girls and women often break out more around the time of their menstrual cycles, because around that time of the month, the body produces more of the hormone progesterone, which stimulates oil production. Stress can also spur breakouts, because anxiety causes the adrenal glands to produce more androgens.
As tempting as it is, try not to squeeze, pick at or pop your zits--it can make them worse. Popping can cause permanent scars--or, by forcing the oil and bacteria into deeper skin layers, it can cause cysts.
If your acne persists, see a dermatologist. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics, Retin-A or Accutane, which can all have side effects but are effective in many cases.
Some people believe that eating chocolate or greasy foods makes your skin break out, although many doctors dispute this. The best strategy is to watch your own diet and see if certain foods correspond to breakouts.
Another good tip is to drink lots of water--it flushes out impurities and keeps the skin hydrated.
