DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am in my 20s, and I still have to deal with acne. Why? I thought I would be through with it by this time. What can I do for it? -- J.T.

ANSWER: The teen years are the peak years for having acne, but some adults have to struggle with it too. During adolescence, 85 percent of youngsters have it to some degree. Most are rid of it by age 25. However, 12 percent of women and 3 percent of men have to contend with it until their 40s, and a few, even later. In fact, some adults get acne for the first time later in life.

Acne is caused by the plugging of skin follicles -- ''pores,'' as many call them. Oil sludge and shed skin cells form the plug. Every skin follicle comes equipped with an oil gland. Even when the follicle opening is plugged, the gland keeps secreting oil downstream of the plug.

New Rosacea treatment kit

Galderma Laboratories, L.P. has announced the availability of a new MetroGel 1% Kit for the topical treatment of the inflammatory lesions of rosacea.

The new kit contains a 60 gm tube of the leading topical prescription treatment for Rosacea, MetroGel (metronidazole) Topical Gel, 1%. Also included in the kit is a complimentary 4 fl. oz. bottle of Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, the number-one skin cleanser recommended by dermatologists, plus a patient education brochure with information about rosacea trigger factors, symptoms and treatment. The brochure contains a $2.00-off coupon for future purchases of Cetaphil brand cleansers and moisturizers.

MetroGel 1% Kit, with its additional contents, is the same cost as a regular 60gm tube of MetroGel 1%, and the MetroGel 1% Kit is currently available to rosacea patients in pharmacies nationwide.