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Who’s afraid of a breakout? Not you! Get to know your skin’s worst enemy and show those pimples who’s boss.

What’s going on?

Spots or pimples can form when your skin has too much oil, allowing bacteria to breed. The bacteria can clog your pores, causing swelling and redness.

Are spots contagious?

Don’t worry, they’re not.

What’s the difference between a pimple and acne?

Some people get one or two spots once in a while, while others get frequent breakouts with lots of pus-filled pimples. If the second sounds more like you, you may have acne – a chronic or long-term condition that affects many teens and adults. But don’t panic, there are many effective treatments that help keep acne under control.

What about bacne, also known as body or back acne?

If you have this, you’re not alone – it can affect many people! Like face acne, bacne can form when your pores get clogged by excess oil and dead skin cells, allowing bacteria to grow. Sometimes, wearing tight clothes and using heavy backpacks can trap even more dirt and bacteria, making your bacne worse. You can treat it the same way you would treat acne on your face.

Do greasy food and chocolate make me break out?

No. But some refined carbs like white bread, pasta, chips and cornflakes might actually make spots worse if you already have them.

Will tanning or putting toothpaste on my spots make them go away?

No. This just dries out your skin, and can lead to even more spots.

Will squeezing my spots make them go away?

Not exactly. Aside from giving you scars, squeezing or popping pimples spreads bacteria, which can make your spots worse.

Then how do I get rid of these ugly spots?

Cleansers, creams and gels with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide should do the trick.