Zits Are the Pits: Truth About Acne

(MS) - For many teenagers, there is a four-letter word that may be dreaded more than exams, curfews and embarrassing parents: acne.

Most teens feel acne is the bane of their existence. Despite high rates of occurrence - 8 in 10 teens and many adults have acne - at the time of an acne outbreak it can seem like you're the only one suffering. Acne is not a reflection of hygiene or diet. It's simply a part of growing up.

Acne is so common that it's often considered a normal part of puberty. Teens get these unsightly bumps during puberty because of the fluctuation in hormones at this time in their life. During puberty, hormones trigger the sebaceous glands in the hair follicles (pores) of the skin to produce more sebum, an oil that lubricates the skin and hair, than is necessary. This overproduction combined with skin cells being shed, can cause pores to become blocked with a sticky plug. It takes about two weeks for a blemish to form once the pore is blocked. Common places for acne to appear are on the face, neck, chest, and back.

The term "acne" broadly covers a number of skin breakouts, including:

whitehead: a clogged pore that closes up and bulges from the skin

blackhead: a clogged pore that remains open at the end, allowing dirt to enter and darken

pimple: the walls of pores open allowing sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells to make their way under the skin; shows up as a red bump

nodules: clogged pores that open up very deep in the skin, sometimes known as cysts

Facts and Fiction About Acne

Now that you know what acne is, it's important to clear up misconceptions about what causes acne and what can help keep it under control. Test your knowledge by reviewing these statements.

1. Acne is caused by eating greasy foods. Fiction - Eating fries, pizza or chocolate will not cause acne breakouts. However, some people do find that foods can aggravate current acne flareups.

2. A tan doesn't make acne better. Fact - Tanned skin may camouflage acne, but it won't cause it to clear up. In fact, sunburns or tanning may cause more oil production, worsening acne.

3. Scrubbing your face with a harsh soap will rid you of acne. Fiction - Washing your face twice daily with a mild soap can be effective in controlling oil on the skin. Scrubbing the face can exacerbate acne inflammation and may even cause scarring.

4. Wearing noncomedogenic makeup is best. Fact - If you wear makeup, choose products labeled noncomedogenic, oil-free or nonacnegenic.

5. Popping pimples can clear up outbreaks faster. Fiction - As difficult as it may be, do not pop pimples. This can cause scarring and spread oil to other pores. It's best to let nature take its course. You can try over-the-counter acne products to dry out breakouts, but follow instructions carefully. Painful, deep-skin nodules or other breakouts may be relieved with warm compresses.

6. Acne may flare up before menstruation. Fact - Acne is often common before a woman's menstrual period each month. Even women who have acne under control may experience breakouts before their periods. The hormone regulation of birth control pills does help some women with acne.

7. Doctors can't help acne. Fiction - Dermatologists may have an arsenal of stronger treatments at their disposal, such as laser therapy and medication if acne becomes a debilitating problem.

CAPTION: Set the record straight on acne causes and treatment.

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