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Patient information: A guide to acne

Contents of this article

ACNE OVERVIEW

Acne is a skin condition in which the pores become blocked, causing pimples to develop. Acne is very common, especially in adolescents.

Unlike some skin conditions, acne is hard to hide because it usually affects the face. However, effective acne treatments are available. These treatments can help to get rid of pimples and prevent new ones. Treatment may include gels or creams that you apply to the skin. Medicines that are taken as a pill may also be recommended.

Many people wonder if they can treat acne at home or if a prescription treatment is needed. If you have mild acne, you can try to treat yourself with non-prescription products initially. If you do not improve after three months of using non-prescription products, or if you have moderate or severe acne, consult a healthcare provider for advice on the most effective treatments.

UPTODATE ACNE RESOURCES

Patient information — UpToDate has an article for family members and patients with acne. These articles are available on the internet at www.uptodate.com/patients.

  (see "Patient information: Acne")

Premium subscription information — More detailed information is also available by subscription.

  (see "Pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of acne vulgaris")

  (see "Treatment of acne vulgaris")

  (see "Hormonal therapy for acne vulgaris")

  (see "Light-based, adjunctive, and other therapies for acne vulgaris")

  (see "Oral isotretinoin therapy for acne vulgaris")

Last literature review version 18.2: May 2010
This topic last updated: August 28, 2009
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UpToDate performs a continuous review of over 440 journals and other resources. Updates are added as important new information is published. The literature review for version 18.2 is current through May 2010; this topic was last changed on August 28, 2009. The next version of UpToDate (18.3) will be released in November 2010.

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