Health and Fitness Tips

It can happen to anyone.

The first thing to do is understand what acne really is - it’s not just a curse of adolescence because it affects all ages.

Acne is the clinical name given to the process that occurs when the oil glands in your skin get clogged up. Your skin contains oil glands known as sebaceous glands that produce a special oil, which helps keep your skin smooth and healthy as well as protects you from dirt, bacteria and dryness.

Unfortunately, the oil glands sometimes start working overtime. When this happens, they produce more oil than the oil ducts can handle. The excess oil begins collecting under the skin surface and there you have the beginnings of your pimple.

Most girls start noticing pimples around age 11 while most boys start seeing pimples by age 13. Many people also inherit from their parents the tendency to develop acne.

For most people, the acne is more of an inconvenience and embarrassment than a serious medical problem. Other possible factors of pimple outbreaks could be:

• exposure to industrial oils and chemicals
• stress and anxiety
• oily makeup and shampoo
• certain drugs

Many people try to avoid foods like chocolate, sodas and fried foods because they say it causes acne but scientists have not been able to prove this theory. However, if you notice that outbreaks increase after you eat certain foods, try to avoid eating them and look for acne treatments and natural home remedies.