Okay, I have a really weird question, and I hope no one will make fun of me for asking it! I don't get that many pimples, but if I do then it's very often that way that they're arranged symmetrically. By this I mean that when there's one at some spot on one side of the face then there's often one at exactly the same spot on the other half of the face. Sometimes one comes a little earlier though. This can happen on all parts of the face. A few days ago I got a couple of pimples on the back of my neck, something that has never happened before, at least not in this number. They're symmetric too: the same number which is on the right side can also be found on the left side. Can this all just be coincidental, or is there some logic medical explanation for this phenomenon? I know it sounds really crazy, but I've been observing this for years. And while I'm at it: at what age does one normally never get any pimples anymore? And is it true that pimples can be caused by eating chocolate?

There could be many explanations for this occurence. One could be that your oily zones are located at the same place on both sides of your face. Or you could be touching the same spots and transferring the oils from your fingers. I would not be too concerned about that. As for the symmetry on the back of the neck it is possible that is not acne. It could be contact dermatitis (an allergic reaction to a substance such as nickle in jewelry) or even possibly Lichen planus (thought to be caused by exposure to an allergen) which does have a symmetric appearance. If you experience pain or intense itching, and it does not clear up, then you should see a dermatologist.

And for your last question...rest easy. It's an old "wife's tale" that eating chocolate gives you pimples. Pimples are caused when there is an increased oil production and the pores become clogged by pollutants and dead skin so the oil has no way to get out of the oil ducts and the pores become inflamed. Some people have this happen all their life. Some never experience acne. There is no answer as to when it will go away - it may never. But use a good cleaning program and you should have less problems.

Yup, I have the same phenomenon and I have always been very curious as to why this occurs and I really don't have any answers. I just wanted you to know you are not alone in this freakish event. BTY, I started using ProActive solution and it has worked wonders, even with my cystic type acne.

When I was in my teen years, my pimples were so creative, they made shapes. Triangles, circles, squares....one friend even pointed out a pimple star on my face. I didn't stop having constant acne until I was 22.

Kati~
I have no idea what causes this, but as a teenager, I used to experience the exact same thing. My mom and I always laughed and called them oppozits. I know this wasn't really an answer to your question, but I notice you've already got some good ones. I just thought I'd share with you the name of your situation.

When my son was 12 he gave me chicken pox! (Yes, I know... )

It seemed to me that the positions of our pox were a mirror image of each other's!
(Gotta find SOME humor in it!)

Yip, I'm 35 and have had this problem for years. I thought I was the only one ... If I get a spot on one side of my face, rest assured within two days I'll have one on the exact same place on the other side.