What Is It? Acne is a common skin condition. It is caused by
inflammation of the hair follicles and oil-producing (sebaceous)
glands of the skin. Hair follicles are the tiny structures that
grow hair in the scalp. Sebaceous glands produce sebum. Sebum
moisturizes hair and skin. Each hair pushes up through the skin
surface along with sebum. Acne often begins during puberty. It
occurs when sebaceous glands in the skin are over-stimulated to
produce sebum and skin cells are not shed normally. These sticky
cells block the skin's hair follicles, trapping the sebum. The
blocked, oil-filled follicle then causes the bacteria normally
in the hair follicles to multiply. This leads to inflammation,
redness and pimples (pustules). In adolescents, acne flare-ups
probably are related to a natural increase in androgen hormones
during the teen years. These androgens stimulate the sebaceous
glands to produce excess sebum. Hereditary factors also
contribute to the problem. Other factors that can lead to acne
include: Acne is n