23andMe : New 23andMe+ Report on Severe Acne

Most of us have felt the embarrassment of having an unsightly pimple at the worst possible time, but the impact can be more than just temporary mortification for those with severe acne and instead leave both literal and psychological scars.

About 85 percent of Americans have had acne, and it is estimated that less than 20 percent have experienced moderate to severe acne. While new treatments can help manage the condition and prevent scarring, there remains a lot of misinformation about the causes and best ways to deal with this common skin condition.

A new 23andMe+ report Powered by 23andMe Research looks at a person's likelihood of developing severe acne and provides information about some of the causes, and some of the ways to reduce the frequency and severity of breakouts. The new report uses machine learning techniques to estimate a person's likelihood of having severe acne. To make that estimate, we use a statistical model that looks at more than 8,500 genetic variants as well as a person's ethnicity and sex.

Although it is most common during puberty, acne affects people of all ages. It occurs when hair follicles in the skin become clogged with oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells, which in turn can lead to many deep and painful types of pimples along with many whiteheads and blackheads. To help reduce the frequency and severity of breakouts, experts recommend using gentle skin cleansers, avoiding aggressive scrubbing, and avoiding touching and picking areas prone to acne. Severe acne can be persistent and lead to scarring, especially without proper treatment, which usually includes prescription medication.