Millions of people suffer from or have at one time suffered from acne. We are all aware of those nasty little red pimples and zits that ruin your weekend or a big date. Dermatologists have spent countless hours, energy and money researching causes and treatments of acne. The demographic most affected are teenagers, although acne can be a problem for people all the way up into their forties.

Hormonal changes and genetics are the main causes of acne. At puberty there is an increase in hormones that can cause pores to clog, especially on the face, chest and upper back. Pregnancy, menstrual cycles and starting and stopping birth control pills can also cause acne to appear due to the hormone changes associated with these events. If your parents had acne, you are more likely to develop acne as well. Many people will swear that chocolate or certain foods cause acne but there is no research to support these theories. Diet has been shown to have no relevance to acne. Stress is often blamed for acne and although it is not known to cause it, it can make it worse for those who already suffer from it. Oils from skin products or environmental irritants can make it worse. Many people will try to wash away the acne and end up irritating the skin further and cause the acne to worsen. You only need to wash your face twice a day, mildly with no severe scrubbing. Dermatologists recommend using a mild cleanser and your bare hands to wash your face. To dry just pat your face instead of rubbing it as this can lead to more breakouts.

There are many over the counter as well as prescription medications to treat acne. A popular treatment is benzoyl peroxide which is found in Oxy Clean and Clearasil. A lot of the treatments for acne can be very drying to the skin so it is important to keep it moisturized. A popular prescription drug used for severe acne is Accutane. It is usually taken for a period of 4-6 months and is known to have very good results. However, Accutane is also known to have some very serious side effects. It can cause birth defects, mental health problems, brain problems, vision problems, bone and muscle problems as well as hearing problems. It is very important to discuss the pros and cons of any medication with your doctor. There are many different treatment options for acne. Your dermatologist will be able to help you determine which course of action is right for you.