Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
 | 

Do I have acne?

by Pink420, Jun 23, 2009 11:47PM
Okay, I'm a 14-year-old female. I have been getting my period since December 2008. I am never really under great stress, except about like medium-severe stress during difficult school topics or projects. I would say I get about an average of 1-3 pimples every other week. Sometimes, I can go about a week or two without any. Is that bad?

By the way, what is technically considered "acne"? I have never really been sure. Please help and thanks for your answers in advance :-)
Member Comments (1)

by deeneezy, Jun 24, 2009 07:28AM
To: Pink420
Hi there,

I wouldn't really consider what you have described as acne. Acne sufferers dream of going 2 weeks with clear skin, as they generally never have occasions where their skin is clear!

Acne is caused by androgens (male hormone in both sexes), when there is too much of it or that the person is sensitive, this causes the skin to cause too much sebum (oil), the skin then becomes very blocked and oily and bacteria feed from this oil causing spots - acne. Acne can also be very scarring to the skin.

Generally acne is not really that responsive to face washes and creams that they sell in shops, which are made for 'spots', and usually acne sufferers need to get treatment such as antibiotics from their GP or a dermatologist (skin specialist)

here is a picture of someone with mild acne: http://library.med.utah.edu/kw/derm/mml/24820022.jpg

And here is a picture of someone with more severe acne: http://www.medscape.com/content/1997/00/40/88/408876/art-wh3076.fig4.jpg

Acne sufferes generally have these 'spots' on their back and/or chest aswell.

It sounds to me like you may be getting this odd few pimples once a week or 2, due to hormone changes as you are maturing and getting older, this is common and perfectly healthy. I wouldn't really say that it is acne.

I think you are a lucky thing, i would love to get them only every other week or so! ;o)

In saying that, if you find that your skin does get worse and is difficult to clear iup, dont be afraid to ask for further advice from a GP. But for now i wouldnt worry =)

Best Wishes x
Related discussions
Post Comment
To
Comment
Post Comment
Recent Activity
Ovulation Tracker: Taking A Guess
43 mins ago by KalynS
XOXO_019 joined this community
Welcome them!
1 hr ago
Ramsrock989 added the Sleep Tracker
2 hrs ago
Ramsrock989 added the Mood Tracker
2 hrs ago
airannie commented on out of steam
4 hrs ago
mommy2jordan commented on Just more effort wast...
9 hrs ago
NorcoQueenoftheUniverse commented on photo
11 hrs ago
NorcoQueenoftheUniverse commented on photo
11 hrs ago
RSS Expert Activity
Prevention Gains Momentum: Your Gui... 
4 hrs ago by Lee Kirksey, MD
What You Don't Know About Breathing...
Nov 24 by Steven Y Park, MD
Thanksgiving
Nov 23 by Thomas Dock, Vet. Technician
Community Members