Waking up to whiteheads, blackheads, and zits

In most cases, acne starts between the ages of 10 and 13 and usually lasts for 5 to 10 years. The appearance of teenage acne (acne vulgaris is the technical term that I throw around here and there in the book) is largely the result of your body’s increased production of hormones.


The good news is that those embarrassing blemishes usually go away and are often gone for good by the time you reach your early 20s. However, the not-so-good news is that for some unlucky folks, acne vulgaris can persist into their late 20s or 30s or even beyond.

But back to the good news: There are many steps you can take to zap the zits and improve the appearance of your skin, as I explain in the “Creating Your Acne-Treating Program” section.