What is acne?

Acne is a skin problem that tends to surface during adolescence. It affects more than three-quarters of all teenagers regardless of race, ethnicity or culture at some point during their transition to adulthood, and can continue into adulthood in some cases. Most people find that it clears up naturally and, for the majority, it is unusual for it to persist beyond the age of thirty. Nevertheless a small number of people continue to suffer skin problems up to fifty.

It is not a real threat to your physical health and, with little effort to keep your skin clean, it can pass without any remaining problems. But children and some adults can be unkind and make fun of those who have more obvious problems. This can cause serious emotional distress and loss of self-esteem. There are many recorded cases of depression and some suicides have been attributed to the bullying some have to endure. So, both because of these more serious psychological effects and the fact that one more violent version of the condition can leave permanent scaring, physicians offer treatment.