CAUSE & RISK FACTOR

• About 80 percent of all teenagers develop acne, but this disease can also begin as late as the ages 25 or 30, particularly for women. No one is certain as to what exactly causes acne or why it usually begins in adolescence, but hormones, primarily testosterone, certainly play a large role. A number of other factors, most importantly heredity, are also important. If one of your parents had acne, there's a good chance you will, too.
• Acne tends to run in families and can be triggered by:
• Hormonal changes related to menstrual periods, pregnancy, birth control pills, or stress
• Greasy or oily cosmetic and hair products
• Certain drugs (such as steroids, testosterone, estrogen, and phenytoin)
• High levels of humidity and sweating
• Despite the popular belief that chocolate, nuts, and other foods cause acne, research does not confirm this idea