The medical term is acne.
Acne often occurs between the ages of 14 and 19, but can continue into adulthood.
95% of people aged 11 to 30 experience some amount of acne.
Acne starts during puberty due to hormonal changes, particularly the release of testosterone, which causes changes in the body.
Acne can be emotionally damaging for teenagers, affecting their self-image, confidence, and interactions with peers.
Dr. Critchlow used over-the-counter medicines to manage her acne as a teenager.
The idiom 'the bane of my life' refers to a source of persistent unhappiness or misfortune.
Mild to moderate acne can have a significant psychological impact, affecting friendships, peer groups, and self-esteem, especially in emotionally vulnerable teenagers.
Dr. Critchlow relates to her patients by sharing her own experiences with acne, having tried many treatments herself, which helps her empathize and provide effective advice.
Hormones, particularly testosterone during puberty, cause the build-up of oil and bacteria in the pores of the skin, leading to acne.
Acne affects people of all ages, but especially teenagers. Neil and Beth listen to a skin doctor talking about the condition and teach you some useful vocabulary.
TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript and worksheet for this episode to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2024/ep-241107
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters
FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus
LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English for Work ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Stories
They're all available by searching in your podcast app.