But many young people with acne feel ugly, self-conscious, unpopular and unhappy. Their parents may have suffered with acne, but acne now can be effectively treated. At least 90 percent of adolescents have acne, which is the most common disease of the skin. Material called sebum fills the oil glands, in response to the hormones of puberty. Open comedones are black, not because of dirt, but because of pigmented material at the opening of the pore.
Some teens have only a few comedones.
And in some young people, deep painful infected cysts can develop. Attempting to rid themselves of these unattractive bumps, adolescents often resort to scrubbing, squeezing and popping, all of which result in more skin irritation and, eventually, to tiny pits and scars on the face. In some young people, facial oil glands become over stimulated by these puberty androgens, and acne results. Boys have higher amounts of androgen, of course, and boys also tend to have worse acne than girls. Many girls notice a breakout of acne right before or during their menstrual periods.