Teenage years are filled with new experiences and new choices. Unfortunately, something that also comes with this age is the dreaded pimple.
During the teen years, hormones are going haywire. During this time, "hormones are definitely not stable," Tauscheck said.
Stress also has a huge effect on breakouts. During testing and exams pimples are more likely because the stress changes the body's hormones.
Although the 13- to 20-year-old crowd makes up the majority of patients Dr. Tauscheck treats for acne, studies suggest that 15 percent of people over the age of 25 also have acne.
Genetics also plays a huge role in developing acne.
"Acne is much affected by genetics," Tauscheck said. "Eighty-five percent of teenagers have some form or another (of acne)."
Pimples can have a horrible effect on a teen's self-confidence during a time where they are figuring out who they are. Kids often tease each other about it, which lowers confidence.
"They do pick on kids. You can't hide it," Tauscheck said.
Some teens don't let it get to them, though.
Nicole Bartel, 13, said, "I feel fine (when I have a pimple) because I have confidence in myself so it doesn't bother me."
Others take the approach that it's just a part of growing up.
"Everybody gets them," said Sam Van Wyk, 14.
There is a multitude of ways to treat acne, but the best way by far is by preventing it.
"Every night I wash my face," Bartel said.
A common misconception is that dirt causes acne. It is recommended that people only wash their face once a day because washing too frequently can cause irritation and actually make acne worse.
Behavior modification, like keeping yourself from resting your face on your hand, helps keep acne at bay.
If pimples do appear, products with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid may help certain types of acne because they are anti-inflammatory.
To treat blackheads, which are oil-plugged pores, certain types of prescriptions should help.
Pimples that lead to inflammation and infection and also need to be addressed with a topical solution, cream, gel or antibiotic pills. Some antibiotic pills increase chances of depression though.
Another type of acne is "yellow puss jewels," which may have bacteria in them and need to be taken care of because they can lead to cystic or nodular acne — which can get as big as grapes. They are deep and painful pimples which can lead to scarring if untreated.
Tanning does improve your acne because it dries the oils up, but it is not recommended because of dangerous skin cancers.
Wearing sports equipment, like football helmets, a tennis headband or wrestling gear, may irritate acne, so it is important to try to keep that to a minimum and keep oil from building up, because that's partly what causes the acne.
It is extremely important not to pop pimples. That can lead to more infection and long-term scarring.
"It's important to treat acne early and don't pick at it," Tauscheck said.
There are many myths that come with acne, like how a bad diet can make it worse. Studies have shown this is untrue, although some people may find that individual foods may cause flare ups in their acne at times. Eating or drinking milk products has also been said to cause acne, but is untrue.
"If that were true, my kids would have a face full of acne because they have drunk so much milk," Tauscheck said.
Bad hygiene doesn't cause acne either, although it is recommended to keep yourself clean because it will remove the oils.
Sleep deprivation also tends to cause acne, possibly because it leads to more stress. It has also been shown that drinking a lot of water to flush yourself of impurities doesn't make your complexion better, although it can improve the look of your skin.
It is important to control acne not only for the emotional side of it, but the long-term physical effects it can have.
Acne scarring can occur in as short as six months and can't be treated well until the person has grown out of the acne stage, which is usually beyond their teenage years. Facial peels, chemical peels and laser treatments can be used, but they are never 100 percent effective.
Acne scarring can be covered up with a camouflage product, but it can make acne worse. The best way to prevent acne scarring is to prevent acne.
People with untreated acne also have a higher risk of depression than people with treated acne.
Acne doesn't just occur on the face like many people think. It is quite common to develop it on the chest and upper back as well, and still is important to get that treated correctly as well.
Acne, in all its related forms, is very serious and needs to be taken care of right away with either over-the-counter treatments or a by a visit to a dermatologist if necessary. Letting it progress until it goes away will only make things worse physically and emotionally.
There is no "simple pimple."
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