Acne is the medical word used to describe a state in which the pores of your skin are clogged up and irritated. It effects people of all genders, ages and races. The majority of people who struggle with this condition are teenagers entering puberty. Acne can be found anywhere on the body but mostly effects the face, back, chest, upper arms and neck areas.

Although acne is not life threatening, it can have devastating consequences on a person's self-confidence and social behavior. It can also lead to scarring even in the more milder cases. The good news is that there are many different treatments available to the acne sufferer. The treatment will usually depend on the skin type and severity.

The best place to start for people with mild acne and for those with black or whiteheads is with a cleansing program. It is recommended that you cleanse the areas effected with a mild soap that doesn't leave your skin too dry after wards. After cleansing, you may want to try applying a little over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide product. This chemical has been shown much promise in treating mild acne and is usually quite cheap.

Products such as Clearasil and Benzac that contain benzoyl peroxide work by killing all of the bacteria that is known to cause acne. The only downside is that it can take several months to see decent results but will however, not create a resistance from the bacteria. Other common products contain salicylic acid and they help by breaking down blackheads and whiteheads.

Breakouts that are much more serious will most likely require a visit the your physician or dermatologist. More severe acne that creates nodules and cysts can leave behind horrible scarring and getting the proper medication can help to prevent future scarring by quickly reducing your acne.

Even if you choose to use strong medications, you should still remember to use a daily cleanser. Often with prescriptions from a doctor, you will be give very strong oral antibiotics to use. No matter how bad your acne is or how itchy it might get, you should never pop or pick at them unless done by a skin professional. Large zits might need to be cleaned or drained to prevent scarring or to clear up an infection.

Treating or curing your acne will take time and each person's treatment will vary. What might work for your friends or even your parents may not work for you or your skin type. You need to give your skin plenty of time to heal and in some cases it might "get worse before it gets better". One thing you might want to consider is taking a low-dosage birth control pill that will help to reduce flare-ups that are associated with a woman's menstruation.

When you find something that works for your skin you should stick with it for several months. You should put into place a good daily routine of cleansing and treating. This will definitely reduce any future outbreaks of acne. If you already have acne scars, don't worry, because there are also treatments now that can help to remove them. You will need to discuss these options with a dermatologist.