Hello and welcome to HealthiNation. I'm Dr. Bobby Buka. We may not always think of acne as a serious problem. And, most of the time, it isn't. For most people acne breakouts are temporary -- and it can be treated effectively. But, in more severe and persistent instances acne can lead to anxiety, stress and even depression. We also know these psychological effects begin to resolve when acne is treated. So, it's a condition that should be addressed. In this video, I'll explain what acne is, how you can prevent it and what you can do to treat breakouts. Acne is a condition causing skin lesions, more commonly known as pimples, papules, pustules and cysts. Typically, these lesions occur when the skin produces too much oil. When combined with dead skin cells, the oil clogs up tiny hair follicles. The plugged follicles can become inflamed, especially if you have too much of a normal bacteria found on the skin known as Propionibacterium acnes. Acne is commonly associated with teenagers and young adults, but it can occur at any age, causing pimples to form on the face, back, neck, or chest, where most oil glands are found. 85% of people are touched by acne at some point in their lives... and people of all ethnicities are affected as well. There are several types of acne lesions. Comedones are clogged hair follicles. They come in two varietiesโ€”whiteheads and blackheads. Whiteheads sit below the skin surface. They appear as slightly raised, skin-colored bumps. Blackheads, on the other hand, are open at the skin surface, which causes the oils and dead skin cells to oxidize and darken from exposure to the air. Papules are small pink to reddish-brown bumps that may be tender to the touch. Pustules are pus-filled lesions. When clogged pores are located very deep in the skin, they can cause another type of lesion called nodules, which are infected lumps or cysts. The exact cause of acne is still unknown. However, hormones probably play a roleโ€”they stimulate the sebaceous glands, which then make more oil, leading to clogging of the pores. This may be why teenagers, who experience hormonal changes as a normal part of growing up, so often develop acne. Adult women often experience breakouts during pregnancy. Certain medications, such as lithium or isoniazid, can also cause acne. Direct exposure to oily substances and some types of cosmetics may also contribute. Currently, further research is being done to look at other causes, for instance, one recent study shows a diet that increases blood sugar levels may play a role in causing acne. There are a number of myths about acne, as well. For one thing, dirt doesn't cause it. Chocolate or greasy foods probably don't cause acne -- but it's still a good idea to limit them anyway. And finally, squeezing, or popping a pimple doesn't speed up healing. Instead, it forces bacteria, dead skin cells, and oil deeper into the skin. Acne can be frustrating, especially during breakouts. But we doctors are learning more about it everyday, and that's leading to new and more effective treatments. And, the sooner you treat your acne, the less likely you'll experience long lasting physical or emotional effects.