The world’s most common skin ailment is acne vulgaris. It shows up as clogged pores, pimples, and deeper lumps. These appear on the face, neck, chest, and other parts of the body.
Some people say it’s caused by eating chocolate or greasy foods. Others say it comes from not washing enough. Both those ideas are myths. Of course, a nutritious diet and good hygiene are still important for being and staying healthy.
Teenage acne is caused by rising hormone levels. Hormones are the body’s internal messengers. They carry information that controls the function of almost all of the body’s cells and tissues. Hormones greatly increase the production of oil by the sebaceous gland. Hair follicles can become clogged by dead skin cells. This leads to whiteheads, blackheads, and angry red lumps.
At its worst, acne has scarred faces and made people miserable. It is a harsh lesson about the role skin plays in our self-image.
