The question on everyone's mind is, what is acne and can you get rid of acne forever? Many of us have grown up with whatever answers our parents or friends gave us, and while they might have had good intentions, that doesn't always mean that we learned what was right. In order to be able to face acne, you need to know what you're up against.

Acne bar none is a real problem that affects millions of people both physically and emotionally. I personally suffered through acne and it was a real pain. I would've and did do anything to get rid of acne by trying any acne product I could get my hands on, did testing, went to doctors, and virtually tried whatever solution was out there.

Let's dive into some basics on what is acne and in future episodes you'll get more tips and techniques on how to get rid of acne.

There are several different types of acne that can occur: whiteheads, blackheads, papules, modules, pustules, and cysts. There are also a number of more severe kinds of acne that need medical intervention in order to clear up.

In a basic sense, acne is caused when the pores of the skin become clogged with dirt or oil. Some of that oil can be produced by the body naturally, so those people that produce more oil might be more susceptible to acne problems. When the pore becomes clogged, it becomes inflamed and turns into a rounded head that we know as acne.

While many types of acne are generally associated with teenagers, acne can be found at any age. When teenagers are developing, their emerging hormones can cause the skin to produce more oils, which can lead to a higher chance of getting other kinds of acne. But adults can also get acne after their teen years. However, the skin of adults is much more sensitive and might need different kinds of acne treatments.

And then there are also those people that are genetically disposed to acne, while others are not. Their skin might not be as sensitive to oils and dirt, which allows them to keep their skin clear and free of problems.

However, everyone at one point or another will have some problem with acne. The problem with acne is that these inflammations can lead to scarring if they are picked at and in some cases, the acne itself can cause scarring no matter what the patient does. Finding out what causes acne to occur will help to shed light on various ways to cure acne problems and result in behavior changes that can help to reduce the overall chances of acne in all people.

It's also important to understand there are many acne myths that should be dispelled. A couple include hygiene, diet, cleansing frequently, stress, age, and others. Most aren't exactly sure what factors cause acne or not. What is critical is understanding your skin and body and perhaps the things that could potentially make your breakouts worse or better.

All in all acne stinks. There are products out there that work. There are natural and prescription treatments that work. Everyone's situation is quite different and there are many factors when it comes to managing your skin. Therefore there is no one method that will work for all.