Acne
Common among teenagers, acne can strike adults into their 30s and
40s, appearing on the arms, legs, chest, back and buttocks as well
as the face and shoulders. Causes include the hormone changes of
pregnancy, stress and menopause; prescription drugs... More
Common among teenagers, acne can strike adults into their 30s and 40s, appearing on the arms, legs, chest, back and buttocks as well as the face and shoulders. Causes include the hormone changes of pregnancy, stress and menopause; prescription drugs such as steroids, estrogen and testosterone; certain cosmetics; high humidity; and sweating. Washing your skin with a gentle cleanser twice daily, especially after exercising; avoiding touching your face; and using water-based cosmetics or creams can reduce blemishes. Over-the-counter medications with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur or resorcinol also can help by killing bacteria and exfoliating the skin. A dermatologist can prescribe stronger medication if needed. Less
Recently Answered
- Q How is adult acne different from teen acne?
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Teen acne is most often focused on the face and neck, and is commonly related to the hormonal changes that naturally occur through puberty. Adult acne can happen on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders, and can be brought on by... MoreEven though acne is typically thought of as a teen problem, adults-especially women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s-can experience acne, even if they didn't have acne when they were teenagers. Adult acne may look different than teen acne: Adults often have... More
Adult acne differs from teen acne in many ways. Adult acne patients usually get acne on the chin and sides of the face whereas teenage acne is located in the central face or T-zone. Teenagers are far more oily than adults with acne which is why many... More
- Q How are dead skin cells related to pimples?
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Dead skin cells contribute to pimples when they mix with skin oil emerging from a hair follicle onto the surface of the skin and form a gluey plug. Watch the animation to see how this happens. More
A pimple starts when the pore around a hair follicle becomes blocked. When your hormones surge in teen years or with pregnancy or menstruation, the elevated hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands, which are attached to hair follicles. Dead skin... More
- Q Do germs cause pimples?
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Germs alone do not cause pimples. Instead, germs contribute to formation of pimples when they become trapped beneath the skin’s surface, within stagnant oil inside a blocked hair follicle. Watch the animation to see how this happens. More
Germs do not cause pimples or acne. Pimples are formed when excess skin oil, called sebum, mixes with dead skin cells and clog pores. Once a pore is clogged, bacteria (called P. acnes) that normally live on your skin thrive in the trapped oil and... More
- Q What kinds of bacteria cause pimples?
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Staphylococcus bacteria, or “Staph” for short, are a common type of germ that lives on the surface of the skin and can contribute to pimples, under the right conditions. Watch the animation to learn more. More
The bacteria that cause pimples are called Propionibacterium acnes, or P. acnes for short. These bacteria live on your skin all the time. They become a problem only when a pore becomes blocked. This happens when excess oil or sebum mixes with... More
- Q What is the definition of acne?
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Acne -- in its most common form -- is a skin condition that causes outbreaks of whiteheads, blackheads, or pimples. It occurs when pores get clogged up by sebum, an oily substance made by glands inside the pore of every hair shaft. Sebum's main job is to... More
- Q Is acne a serious health threat to my health?
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Acne isn't a serious health threat unless there are unusual complications. If your acne causes you severe emotional distress, for example, you may be at risk for depression and anxiety that could undermine your psychological well-being. If fever, joint... More
