Fred was twelve years old when he developed acne. At first he noticed white bumps under his skin. Then, small pimples with black tops appeared. Larger red pimples, many of which were filled with pus, followed. He explains: From the time I was twelve to eighteen was pretty miserable skin-wise. I had pimples on my face, neck, back, and upper arms.

It was continuous; when one went away another one took its place. I'd go to school in the morning; in the afternoon I'd look in the mirror and I'd have a bunch of great big welts on my face that sprouted up while I was at school.

It was humiliating. I used all my money on creams and medicated pads. But they didn't help. My acne was too bad. I asked my parents to take...