The genetic connection

While virtually everyone gets acne to some degree, some people are born with a predisposition to certain types of acne. There seem to be similarities in acne among family members regarding patterns of acne lesions, duration of acne, severity and so on. Acne occurs in all races, but there are ethnic variations that suggest genetic influences; Caucasian Americans, for instance, tend to be more affected than African Americans or people of Asian heritage. From a scientific standpoint, not much is known yet about the specific genetics involved in acne, but there seems to be a connection.

If a teenager's parents or older siblings have had severe acne, that teenager is likely to have severe acne, too. It is all the more critical for such teenagers to consider seeing a dermatologist before the acne becomes severe.

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