Acne Facts

What exactly is acne?

Acne is a disease involving the oil glands and hair follicles of the skin, which is manifested by blackheads, whiteheads, acne pimples and acne blemishes.

Can anyone get acne?

It is estimated that acne affects as many as 70 million people of all ages, at a treatment cost estimated at well over $300 million per year.
Teenagers are often more prone to acne due to an increased production of sex hormones called androgens, which regulate the activity and size of the sebaceous (oil-producing) glands inside the pores or hair follicles. Women may get acne with each menstrual period due to a change in hormones, and it may clear up or worsen during pregnancy. Anyone using anabolic steroids is likely to worsen their acne, and certain cosmetics may cause or aggravate acne by clogging pores.
Some people feel that diet plays a role in acne; however, extensive scientific studies have not found a connection between eating fried foods or chocolate and acne.

Acne’s devastating impact.

The psychological scars and the trauma of acne are often deeper and more disastrous than the blemishes, and doctors are just beginning to understand the significant impact acne scarring can have on a person’s outlook on life. Recent studies have shown that people with acne suffer from social withdrawal, decreased self-esteem, reduced self-confidence, poor body image, embarrassment, and feelings of depression, anger and frustration.