How common is acne?
Acne is very common and affects about 85% of adolescents as well as 5% of adults.

Is there any sexual difference?
Acne affects both sexes but is more severe in males. Women, however, tend to have more persistent, though milder acne which may sometimes be caused by wrong usage of cosmetics.

Is acne inherited?
Acne seems to run in families only because it is so common. It is not generally regarded as an inherited condition. However, family history may have an influence on the severity of acne.

What causes acne?
The exact cause of acne is not known. The initiating event seems to be an increase in androgens (male sex hormones) during puberty which in acne-prone individuals, seem to set off other events that result in blockage of the oil glands and inflammation and sometimes, scarring. The factors that are believed to play a role in the cause of acne include:

• Increased sebum (skin oil) production by the sebaceous glands (skin's oil-glands) under the influence of androgens.
• Blockage of the hair follicles (skin pores), resulting in comedones (whiteheads and blackheads).
• Proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes (the acne bacteria) which converts sebum into irritating fatty acids.
• Inflammation caused by the seepage or release of irritating fatty acids into the dermis, resulting in red papules (red pimples) or pustules ("pusheads") and in some patients, nodules (deep and sometimes painful swellings that can look like boils).

       What makes acne worse?
       Acne may be more severe or flare up under a variety of situations:

• Family history of severe acne.
• Stress.
• Hot, humid environment.
• Occupational due to exposure to acne causing chemicals such as mineral oil and halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, including dioxin.
• Pre-menstruation.
• Comedogenic or acnegenic (acne-causing) ingredients in some cosmetics such isopropyl myristate, lanolin, sodium lauryl sulfate, laureth-4, butyl stearate, lauryl alcohol, oleic acid, petroleum oils).
• Friction from headbands and chin straps.
• Medication such as lithium (used to treat manic-depressive states), phenytoin (used to treat epilepsy or fits), iodides, anti-tuberculous drugs (ethionamide, rifampicin, isoniazid), B vitamins and cyclosporin (used to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs), systemic steroids, testosteroneand anabolic steroids (sometimes abused by athletes and body-builders).
• Polycystic ovaries which produce androgens (male sex hormones).
• Excessive production of corticosteroids (Cushing's syndrome).

Does the birth control pill aggravate acne?
Most contraceptive pills have no effect on acne. In fact many of them help acne and it is more common for women to experience outbreaks when the pill is stopped. The only exceptions are those containing androgenic progestogens such as norethisterone, norgestrol, norgestrienone, lynestrenol and medroxy progesterone acetate. Check with your doctor if the pill seems to be making acne worse. Birth control pills are sometimes used to treat women with acne who also want an effective contraceptive.

Does pregnancy aggravate acne?
Pregnancy has variable effects on acne. Most times, the acne gets better although occasionally, it may get worse.

Can I pop pimples?
You should not because it increases the risk of infection and scarring.

Can acne be cured?
Acne cures by itself and 95% of individuals are more or less cured by the age of 21 or 22 years. Treatment does not actually bring about cure which occurs naturally. The aim of treatment is to control acne and reduce the risk of permanent scars.

Should acne be treated since it will eventually burn itself out?
Definitely because although acne will eventually clear, it can leave behind severe scars which are permanent and not easy to treat.

Is acne caused by unfulfilled sexual desires?
Acne occurs around puberty when the person is experiencing rapid increases in sexual desires. They are both related to the increase in the influence of sex hormones. However, acne is not caused by unfulfilled sexual desires and having sex does not improve acne either.

Is acne is caused by excessive masturbation?
Masturbation does not improve or make acne worse.

Is acne caused by uncleanliness?
No it is not and you should not overwash your face

Is acne caused by dirty blood or poisons in the body?
Bleeding may occur into acne cysts and the blood may look dark, leading some people to think it is "dirty blood". However, there is nothing wrong with the blood and there are also no poisons that need to be gotten rid off.

Is acne contagious?
A bacteria known as the P. acnes bacteria is believed to play a role causing acne. However, this bacteria is a normal inhabitant of hair follicles and everyone has it. Acne is not an infection in the true sense and you cannot spread acne.

Is acne caused by eating chocolates or peanuts?
These food items generally have no effect on acne although there are the occasional exception. Doctors have studied the effect of chocolate and have not found any difference between those taking a chocolate and chocolate free diet. If you are convinced that some food item aggravates acne, just stop it temporarily to see if there is any change.

Is acne caused by oily foods?
The skin of people with acne is often oily, leading people to think that it is due to the oil they take in the food. However, the oil comes from the sebaceous glands in the skin and not from the diet.

Can I use makeup or moistursers when I have acne?
It is better not to use makeup. However, if you, like many other women find acne unsightly and feel you need to camouflage it with cosmetics, use a non-greasy cosmetics and for the minimum of time. Moisturisers are also best avoided unless the acne products make the skin very dry. In such cases, chose one that is labeled non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic.

Go to acne vulgaris in Skin A to Z