Almost no one makes it to adulthood without getting pimples or acne. You can hold out hope that you'll be the first, but you're better off knowing how to deal with pimples and doing your best to prevent them.

The increase in hormones running through your body causes your skin to produce more oil than when you were a kid. You need some oil to lubricate your skin and hair. But when the oil glands in your skin become more active, it's easier for your pores to get blocked with the extra oil. A blocked pore causes blackheads and whiteheads. When a blocked pore becomes infected with bacteria, you may get a pimple.

As you may already know, pimples can come in various sizes and appear on many parts of your body. They can be small, relatively painless bumps that only take a day or two to go away or larger, painful cyst-like infections under the skin surface. Pimples most often appear on the face, but they're also common on the back, neck, chest, shoulders, and other areas of the body. No matter where they appear or how big they are, basically all pimples are infections.

The first thing you can do in order to prevent or reduce pimples is to cut down on the amount of oil that accumulates on your skin. The best way to do this is to cleanse your face twice a day with a mild soap and water. Don't scrub too hard, as this may cause irritation and contribute to more oil being released from your skin.

Washing twice a day is enough for most teens, but you may also want to cleanse your face:

* When removing makeup at the end of the day.

* Avoid going to sleep with your makeup on.

* After exercising

* After being in a greasy or dirty environment, such as working in a fast food restaurant or cleaning a dusty room.

Even with the best of skin care, you're going to get some pimples during your teen years. There are many over the counter medications that may help them clear up more quickly. Don't pick at or pop your pimples. This can make them worse and may cause scars or tiny pockmarks.

If your acne is really bad, your pediatrician or dermatologist (skin doctor) can prescribe a special cleanser or medication. Try to remember that acne usually clears up and pimples become more manageable in your late teens. Meanwhile, make sure you keep your face clean and keep some over the counter pimple medication handy.

Things to know about acne and preventing pimples:

* Eating greasy food, chocolate, or any other specific foods does not cause pimples. There are other reasons not to overeat those foods, but the oil on your skin is produced by glands in your skin and not affected by the foods you eat.

* If you wear makeup, make sure it is water-based or oil-free.

* If your hair is long enough to touch your face, shampoo it regularly. Oil on your hair (and the products you use on it, like gel and hairspray) can contribute to clogged facial pores.

* Since your hands tend to accumulate dirt and bacteria, try to keep from touching your face and resting your chin on your hands.

* Your changing hormone levels may cause you to get more pimples just before your period.

* Getting a tan doesn't clear up acne. While a suntan may make pimples less visible temporarily, ultimately the sun damages your skin even more.