![Marla Ahlgrimm Marla Ahlgrimm](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7NvcskfmTNK2Qmm3VforDtv8cI93lpbU4EKjOT_Tj7c0XcLdWaTJm_qMLrSftuPnL65ZAo0jlbZ4eXqgQRYtlDDzG17jO3uAU-h4B3LewLy5EXU26zDT1PRXsX8fAIj_49-TuEE5Ta2x/s1600/unnamed+%252825%2529.png)
Women’s health expert and author Marla Ahlgrimm understands all too well how acne can affect a person’s self-esteem. However, teenage girls may be especially affected by acne, and it all has to do with hormones. Acne vulgaris -- the clinical term for blemishes -- sounds scary but, fortunately, the condition is common and normal.
Q: What is acne?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Acne is simply the result of the body overproducing a natural oil, sebum, which prevents the skin from drying out. When there is too much, it causes dead skin to clump together, which can turn into a clogged pore. Another name for these facial blemishes is acne lesion. There are different types of acne lesions including cysts, nodules, papules, and pustules.