Acne: What You Need to Know
Acne is a very common skin condition that causes blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and sometimes deep, painful nodules or cysts. It isn’t contagious, and it can affect teenagers and adults alike. (American Academy of Dermatology)
What causes acne?
Acne develops when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, with inflammation and changes involving skin bacteria also contributing. Hormonal changes can make acne worse, which is one reason it often appears during puberty and can flare around menstrual periods. (American Academy of Dermatology)
Contrary to common myths, acne isn’t caused simply by having dirty skin. Scrubbing or repeatedly washing your face can actually irritate the skin and worsen breakouts. (American Academy of Dermatology)
What can help?
A simple routine is often a good starting point:
- Cleanse gently up to twice a day and after sweating.
- Use non-comedogenic/oil-free moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup.
- Avoid harsh scrubs, astringents, and excessive exfoliation.
- Don’t squeeze or pick pimples—this can increase inflammation and the risk of dark marks and scars. (American Academy of Dermatology)
- Give treatments time. Improvement commonly takes 6–8 weeks, and fuller clearing can take several months. (American Academy of Dermatology)
For mild acne, commonly used treatments include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, adapalene, and azelaic acid. Moderate or severe acne may require prescription treatments such as topical/oral antibiotics, hormonal treatment, or—in severe resistant cases—isotretinoin. (American Academy of Dermatology)
When should you see a dermatologist?
Consider professional care if you have deep or painful acne, significant scarring, widespread acne on your chest/back, persistent acne despite treatment, or acne that is substantially affecting your mood or quality of life. Early effective treatment can help reduce the risk of permanent scarring. (nhs.uk)
Important: If you’re pregnant or trying to become pregnant, check with a clinician before using acne medications—particularly topical or oral retinoids, because some acne treatments aren’t safe during pregnancy. (nhs.uk)
If you tell me your age, where the acne is (face/back/chest), and whether it’s mostly blackheads, small pimples, or painful deep bumps, I can outline a simple acne routine for you.
