| pens on the day that you are about to get your high | | | | is attracted to it and it begins to grow. This causes a |
| school picture taken. It occurs on wedding days, prom | | | | response from our immune system and results in |
| dates, and those times when we would rather it hide | | | | inflamed and red skin. In it's most severe response, |
| its ugly head. It is called acne, and its effects can be | | | | cysts will grow under the skin surface. When this |
| devastating to people who take pride in the | | | | ruptures, the infection will spread. |
| appearance of their skin. So where does acne come | | | | There are many myths about what causes acne. |
| from, and how can you stop it from invading your life? | | | | Some people believe items we consume, such as, |
| Acne usually occurs between the ages of twelve and | | | | fatty foods and chocolate will bring on acne. As you |
| twenty five years of age. It is a skin condition related | | | | can see, this is not true. It is also not caused by dirt and |
| to sebaceous glands. These glands are found most | | | | not related in any way to cleanliness. However, there |
| everywhere on the body, but mostly on the face, | | | | are some situations, which can make acne worse. |
| upper neck and back. They produce an oily substance | | | | Since acne is directly related to hormonal production, a |
| called sebum. During adolescence, sebaceous glands | | | | girl is more likely to see her acne worsen during her |
| enlarge and sebum production is increased. This is | | | | menstrual cycle, when she experiences hormone |
| greatly attributed to hormonal production. This | | | | differences. Stress is also known to make acne |
| production usually slows down again after the age of | | | | worse. Sometimes medicines are even to blame. |
| twenty. | | | | Some medicines will not only make acne worse, but |
| Sebum makes its way to the skin's surface through | | | | can also cause it. Although some people think pinching |
| skin pores. This substance helps keep skin and hair | | | | or popping a pimple will help it go away, it will actually |
| smooth. During the increased sebum production, dead | | | | worsen the situation. This should be avoided at all |
| skin cells that line the opening of hair follicles do not | | | | costs. You should also avoid rubbing the skin hard and |
| shed properly and clog the follicles. This will result in a | | | | refrain from applying any pressure to it. |
| build up of oil in the hair follicle. For some people nothing | | | | Acne is a skin condition directly related to hormonal |
| else happens after this point. For those who aren't as | | | | changes in our bodies. It occurs when oil ducts in our |
| lucky, it is a precursor to an acne outbreak. | | | | skin clog up. There are many treatments available for |
| Humans have Propionibacterium acnes or P. acnes | | | | this annoying visitor. You can use topical applications |
| present on their skin. Normally, it is a harmless | | | | found in your local drugstore. If it becomes persistent |
| bacterium. However, it feeds on sebum. When there is | | | | and troublesome, you may need to obtain some help |
| a build up of sebum in the clogged hair follicle, P. acne | | | | from a doctor and prescription drug treatments. |