Any teenager will tell you that an outbreak of acne is one of the worst things that can happen to their social standing as well as their own self esteem. So with the high priority most teens put on staying acne-free, is there any hope in our future for an acne cure? Unfortunately, scientists and doctors will tell you a cure for acne is unlikely. However, there are some practices you can develop to help prevent breakouts. These include things such as washing your face twice daily, avoiding touching your face, using prescription or over-the-counter creams, taking oral antibiotics and exfoliating the skin.

In order to understand how these preventative measures help acne, you must first understand how acne develops. The skin of the face is covered with small openings - or pores - that allow nutrients to pass back and forth through the skin. Acne forms when dead skin cells, dirt or cosmetics block these pores. This blockage causes oils, which are usually excreted onto the skin to help make it smooth and supple, to back up in the pores causing an inflamed bump. Hormones excreted by the body during the teen years can make acne even worse by causing the oil glands to work overtime. To make things worse, bacteria can grow inside these bumps which can infect other pores if the acne is scratched or picked at. Acne can be triggered by stress, hormones, or an unhealthy diet. Scientists are uncertain why one teen will suffer from acne and another will not, but they believe it may be tied to genetics or heredity. Since it is unsure what exactly causes acne, it is more important to concentrate on preventing breakouts rather than an acne cure.

You may need to use over-the-counter or prescription medications to help clear your existing acne and keep new acne from forming. While choosing an acne medication, be wary of products that promise an acne cure. Remember, there is no cure for acne. Your acne will not go away overnight. Even with the strongest creams and cleansers, it will take at least two weeks to start to see improvement in your acne.

Prevention can be as simple as cleaning your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser to keep oils and dirt from building up. Some experts also suggest exfoliating the skin to encourage dead skin cells to flake off. This way the cells don't stay on your face and block your pores. Along with keeping your skin clean, it is also a good idea to eat a healthy diet. Although eating a healthy diet does not guarantee you will have an acne free face, it is always best for your body and your skin to eat a balanced diet. With no acne cure in sight, prevention can save you the embarrassment of unsightly pimples.

Remember, there is currently no miracle cure for acne; in fact, there is no acne cure at all. Concentrate on clearing the acne you have, and keeping new spots from appearing. Sometimes acne prevention is indeed the best acne cure.