by: Charlene J. Nuble

Acne brings huge problems to teenagers. Teenagers who have acne feel
isolated, ugly, and insecure. Who wouldn't when everywhere you look,
only clear skinned people are put on the pedestal.
You tried every acne product out in the market but nothing seems to
work. At this point, you feel that your social life is doomed but
fret not because acne won't stay forever if you take the proper
actions early.


First step to take is to understand what acne really is and from
there you can take the necessary actions in curing or at least
reducing your acne problem.

Acne is the term for plugged pores (whiteheads and blackheads),
pimples, and deeper lumps (nodules) that happens in the face, neck,
chest, back and upper arms. Acne is caused by build up of excess oil
and dead skin in a pore. The causes of this are natural hormones,
clogged skin and bacteria.

The onset of acne happens between the ages of twelve to seventeen.
Almost all teenagers had acne. Many of them used non-prescription
treatments to alleviate acne but more than 40% of teenagers in their
mid-teens have severe acne cases. Normally, it goes away in the
early twenties. Then again, there are many cases wherein acne starts
or continues into adulthood.

It is interesting to note though that young men who are more likely
to have severe acne, don't consult dermatologists as much as young
women do. But then again, young women are more likely to have
irregular acne due to hormonal changes during menstrual cycle or due
to the cosmetic products they use. This kind of acne may afflict
women even into adulthood.

The ultimate question now is how do you reduce acne?
Knowing the facts that debunk the myths and misconceptions about
acne may help you alleviate your acne problem.
Myth 1: Acne is caused by poor hygiene.

This may be true if you don't wash your face at all. But if you
resort to frequent and vigorous washing, it will definitely cause
scarring which will worsen acne. The best approach is to gently wash
face twice a day with mild soap and use appropriate acne treatment
after.

Myth 2: Acne is caused by diet.
Scientific studies debunked this having found that there is no
connection between food and acne.


Myth 3: Acne is caused by stress.
Stressors are not important factors in acne. Only severe stress that
needs medication can cause acne as side effects.
Myth 4: Acne is just a cosmetic disease.

Acne does affect how people look but there's no serious threat to
physical health. However, acne can result to serious scarring which
can affect how these people live their lives.

Myth 5: You just have to let acne run its course.
The truth is, acne can be cleared up using acne products available
in the market today. If they don't work for you, then try seeing a
dermatologist.

According to Thiboutot (2000), cure of acne lies in knowing three
things:

* That resolution to cure acne takes time;
* That what works for one may not work for another;
* and that a dermatologist's help may be needed if all actions you
take to cure your acne fail.

Remember that acne responds well to early treatment. So to prevent
scarring have your acne treated as soon as acne starts showing up on
your face.


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©Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about
acne, please go to: http://acne.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated
links and information on all health related topics, go to:
http://www.besthealthlink.net/