What is acne?
Acne, pimples, spots or zits - whatever you call it - is an annoying skin condition that always appears when you least expect it! You'll be happy to know that you're not alone, as acne affects men and women of all races and ethnicities.
Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting up to 50 million Americans each year. About 85 percent of people between the ages of 12 and 24 suffer from at least mild acne (AAD, 2004).
Symptoms and Types of Acne
You may be wondering whether or not you are dealing with acne. Watch for some of the most common symptoms so you can treat them accordingly.
The signs of acne vary depending on the severity of your condition:
Acne usually appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders.
The spots and bumps heal slowly, and when one pimple starts to disappear, others seem to appear. Depending on the severity, acne can cause emotional distress and scarring of the skin. The sooner you start treatment, the lower your risk of such problems.
Dermatologists classify acne according to severity:
- Grade 1 (mild): mostly blackheads and whiteheads, occasional papules and pustules.
- Grade 2 (moderate or pustular acne) : numerous papules and pustules, mostly on the face.
- Grade 3 (moderate or nodulocystic acne) : numerous papules and pustules, occasionally also inflamed nodules. The back and chest may also be affected.
- Grade 4 (severe nodulocystic acne): numerous large, painful and inflamed pustules and nodules (Cleveland Clinic, 2020).
What causes acne?
Acne occurs when tiny holes in the skin, called hair follicles, become clogged with oil, dead skin or bacteria (healthline, 2017).
Testosterone: Acne in adolescents is thought to be triggered by increased levels of the hormone testosterone, which occurs during puberty. The sebaceous glands are particularly sensitive to hormones. Increased testosterone levels are thought to cause the glands to produce much more sebum than the skin needs (nhs, 2019).
Your genes: If both parents had severe acne, either in adolescence or adulthood, your risk for acne breakouts may be higher (healthline, 2020).
Acne in women: Women are more likely to develop acne in adulthood than men. It is thought that many cases of adult acne are due to the changes in hormone levels that many women experience at certain times. These times include: periods, pregnancy, polycystic ovary syndrome (nhs, 2019).
acne triggers
These factors can trigger or worsen acne: 
treating your acne
Grahams Natural acne treatment consists of two steps:
- Acne Wash Gel and
- Acne Gel.
Graham's Natural Acne Cleanser is a gentle cleanser made with soothing ingredients. Unlike other cleansers that dry out the skin, our Acne Cleanser focuses on cleansing the pores and nourishing the skin at the same time.
Graham's Natural Acne Gel is designed to soothe skin, reduce inflammation and treat problem areas. Use morning and night to reduce redness and the size of visible spots and pustules.
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Links to these sites are provided throughout the article for the convenience of the user and do not constitute medical advice or a recommendation for treatment.
