|
|
Article: The scoop on acne: Zits have you down? Do you think the pimples on your body will never go away? This Q & A about acne will help you understand what's going on with your body -- and clear up your face. (Choices Challenge).(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- Scholastic Choices
- Article date:
- February 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Scholastic, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Q: Why are pimples breaking out on my face?
A: Just when you're most self-conscious, your body decides to rebel by producing acne. Why now? The answer is biological. As you reach adolescence, the pituitary gland in your brain sends out a signal that tells your body to produce an oil called sebum under your skin. When excessive sebum mixes or combines with dead skin cells and bacteria, your skin gets inflamed and bumps can form.
There are different kinds of acne: whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. Whiteheads are flesh-colored or white bumps that are created when a pore gets clogged just below the skin's surface. A blackhead forms when the sebum comes in ...