Some acne is inflammatory, sometimes non-inflammatory, and one often hears the spots associated with acne described as ‘pimples’ or ‘zits’, sometimes ‘cysts’ to describe very serious conditions.

Acne is most prevalent during adolescence when, in one form or another, also degree, acne is thought to affect more than 85 per cent of youngsters and will often follow them into adult life. In youngsters the condition is generally due to an increase in male sex hormones which people of either gender develop during adolescence.

Acne can be uncomfortable, also itchy, sometimes painful, but by far the greatest effects are psychological and debilitating to self-esteem.

Acne is known to have many causes, some plausible, some steeped in superstition. Those considered to have roots in reality, include:

* Hereditary. There is a tendency for ance to run in families.

* Hormonal activity, as during menstruation and puberty.

* Stress, with some doctors say a direct correlation exists between level of stress and degree of acne, with flare ups often being more common and more serious as stress levels grow.

* Accumulation of dead skins cells that clog pores and lead to outbreaks.

* Bacteria and oil trapped in the pores, hence the reason physicians make a big point of keeping the skin clean and free of make up and heavy creams.