No, acne isn’t a result of too much dirt on your skin or touching your face with dirty hands. In fact, too much scrubbing can actually cause more irritation and make acne worse. Acne actually comes from the interaction of bacteria that normally live on the skin and irritation of hair follicles that are filled with sebum (oil from oil glands).

I have stretch marks on my thighs. Why are they there, and how can I get rid of them? Help!

Stretch marks occur when the middle layer of the skin (dermis) is stretched by rapid growth, weight gain or extreme weight loss. Your skin is elastic but doesn’t completely go back to its original shape. Surgical methods such as dermabrasion, chemical peels or laser surgery can be used to address unwanted stretch marks. There are also a variety of over-the-counter lotions and creams that may be helpful to fade stretch marks. Ask your doctor to recommend one.

Diet and exercise also play an important role. Drink plenty of water. Adequate hydration keeps your skin soft and less likely to develop stretch marks. Be sure to eat foods that promote skin health such as those rich in zinc, vitamins A and C, and protein.

I have bad breath sometimes because of congestion due to milk allergies. I brush my teeth at least twice a day and use mouthwash, but nothing really works. What can I do?

Continue to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and remember to brush your tongue, too. There are special brushes available for your tongue. Once a day, use floss to clean between your teeth. See your dentist to make sure you don’t have any gum disease that may give you bad breath. Your dentist may recommend using a prescription mouthwash that kills bacteria that commonly cause bad breath.

You should also check with your doctor to see if you might have a sinus infection from your congestion that could be treated with antibiotics. There are also allergy medicines available that might reduce your congestion and help prevent bad breath.

I think I might have genital herpes, but I’ve never had any kind of sexual contact. It makes me so mad, because I have friends who mess around, and they don’t have anything. And now I have herpes. What should I do?

It would be very unusual for you to have genital herpes if you haven’t had any kind of sexual contact. The only way to know for sure is to see a doctor who can test and see if it’s herpes. Other viral rashes occur in the genital area and mimic herpes but are actually not sexually transmitted. A visit to your doctor will ease your mind.

I’m 18 and have sung classically for seven years under good precollege training. I was wondering what are vocal cord nodules? Are there symptoms I should watch out for?

Vocal cord nodules are noncancerous growths on the vocal cords that affect the voice. Their exact cause is unknown. Most doctors believe they come from overuse or "heavy" use of the voice. The earliest symptom is persistent hoarseness.

It’s important to see a throat specialist to diagnose nodules, because other medical problems can cause hoarseness. The recommended treatment is resting your voice, but if the condition persists, voice therapy can be very helpful.

This is weird to say, but I can't shave the hair off the back of my legs! It grows in like four different directions, and no matter what I do it won’t come off! What should I do?

Shaving is probably the most ineffective way to remove unwanted hair, especially when it grows in different directions. I recommend a hair-removing cream or gel. There are many brands available in the drugstore, but one that I have used with good results is Clean & Easy Cream hair remover. Remember to apply it first to a small area to make sure it isn’t irritating to your skin.

Another method that works for leg hair is waxing. The benefit of waxing is that is lasts for several weeks. Waxing can be done at a salon or at home.

I’m 16, and my hair is falling out. This doesn't seem normal. I’ve been told that stress can cause hair to fall out, and I’ve had a lot of stress in my life the past year. Why is my hair falling out?

Most people lose about 100 head hairs a day. This amount of hair loss is totally normal and no cause for worry. If you're losing more than that, though, something may be wrong. The most common causes for hair loss in teens are poor nutrition, hair treatments and excessive styling. Stress is a rare cause of hair loss.

Here are some tips for you: Eating a balanced, healthy diet is important for a lot of reasons, and it really benefits your hair. Don't forget to treat your hair well. Don't rub your hair too vigorously with a towel. Many hair experts suggest air-drying your hair. If you can't live without your blow-dryer, try using it on a low heat setting. Style your hair when it's dry or damp. Styling your hair while it's wet can cause it to stretch and break. And try to avoid teasing your hair, which can also cause damage.

Finally, be careful when using chemicals such as straighteners, perms or coloring on your hair. If you’re losing enough hair to have bald spots, you should see a doctor, who can recommend specific treatments for these conditions.