Question: Why do we get spots?

Thomas Barrett answered on 18 Mar 2015:

Almost 8 in 10 teens have acne (spots).

Acne is a condition of the skin that shows up as different types of spots. These bumps can be blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, or cysts. Teens get acne because of the hormonal changes that come with puberty. If your parents had acne as teens, it’s more likely that you will, too. The good news is that, for most people, acne goes away almost completely by the time they are out of their teens.

The pores in your skin make an oil that lubricates the hair and skin. As a teen’s body begins to mature and develop, though, hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands to make more oil (called sebum), and the glands may become overactive. Pores become clogged if there is too much sebum and too many dead skin cells.

If a pore gets clogged up and closes but bulges out from the skin, you’re left with a whitehead. If a pore gets clogged up but stays open, the top surface can darken and you’re left with a blackhead.

To help prevent the oil buildup that can contribute to acne, wash your face once or twice a day with a mild soap and warm water. Don’t scrub your face hard with a washcloth — acne can’t be scrubbed away, and scrubbing may actually make it worse by irritating the skin and pores.