Acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms. Acne affects most teenagers to some extent. However, the disease is not restricted to any age group; adults in their 20s - even into their 40s - can get acne. While not a life threatening condition, acne can be upsetting and disfiguring. When severe, acne can lead to serious and permanent scarring. Even less severe cases can lead to scarring.

The age of approximately 2 to 6 years is an 'acne free zone,' during which acne vulgaris rarely occurs. Newborn infants may have an acne eruption on the nose or cheeks, probably caused by hormonal changes as the fetus develops. Acne in newborns usually clears in a matter of weeks, without treatment.

The eruption called infantile acne may appear in the weeks to months after birth and remain for several months. It may clear without treatment, but persisting or severe infantile acne may have an underlying metabolic cause that should be investigated by a pediatrician and dermatologist.

The association between acne and increased rate of sebum production later in life is supported by the evidence that average rates of sebum secretion are higher in persons with acne than in persons without acne. Sebum production begins to increase as the child matures toward adolescence and hormone patterns change with growth and development.

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