Acne can be hereditary and while most acne disappear as the person reaches his 20s, some acne are stubborn and does not leave even in adulthood. It typically shows up on the face, neck, shoulders, back, chest and buttocks and depending on the severity can cause immense embarrassment to the teenager. The different types of acne which a teenager can get are:

• Whiteheads – these are on the surface of the skin and not usually inflamed. 
• Blackheads -  from clogged pores which are not infected.
• Pimples – these are clogged and infected and occur deeper in the skin
• Nodules or Cysts (the most severe) – these are infected and occurs very deep in the skin. 

There are various causes of acne and the sufferer may have his or her own cause for an acne outbreak. But the typical myths that eating chocolate and junk foods cause acne are wrong. On the contrary, foods like these may aggravate the condition further. That diet sometimes has a role in acne. For instance, some food allergies could cause a breakout or even some medications also. Stress may not cause acne but may definitely worsen the situation, since stress causes excessive sebum to be produced.

One of the best ways which can prevent a teenager in preventing acne is to regularly wash the face with a mild soap and warm water. This can prevent in any build up of excessive oil in the face. Care must be taken not to scrub the affected area as this would only irritate the skin and the pores further. There are some people who believe that sunshine is good for preventing acne. While you might get a good tan but sunshine can not prevent acne since sunlight could cause excess oil to be produced leading to a detrimental situation. Teenagers should be particularly careful to use cosmetics which are free of any oil content and before going to bed all make up must be removed to keep the skin as clean as possible. The world of cosmetics is full of options these days but make sure to buy products which contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide which can help in the prevention of teen acne.

You could try different brands to check which one works best for you and use according to recommended method of use. It is important to remember that there is no instant cure for acne. If as a teenager you find that the acne simply does not go off, it is wise to consult a doctor or a dermatologist who would know your skin type and recommend adequate medication. The last but not the lease important point to remember in teen acne is never to pop the pimples as it would leave a permanent scar on your face. Squeezing or picking a pimple simply makes it worse.