Fortunately, most acne is mild and self-limiting without scarring and there is now treatment available to keep acne under control until this tendency is outgrown, usually by age 20 to 25. Attached to the wall of the hair root under the skin is an oil gland. During adolescence, hormones stimulate the oil glands to secrete more oil. For some unknown reason, the pores for the hair and oil glands tend to become plugged. This plugging results in swollen, plugged oil glands which you see as blackheads, and white heads.
Bacteria live on everyone's skin and normally cause no problems.
However, one type of bacteria converts bland normal oil to an irritating oil, and when these bacteria are trapped under the plugged pore, it worsens the imflammation in the skin. Diet does not affect acne. Studies done with chocolate, cola, nuts, or fried foods have failed to show that these or other foods worsen acne. Masturbation or sexual activity do not affect acne. Birth control pills sometimes improve acne but other times may make it worse.