Acne: From Acne Causes to Acne Treatments
Though acne is a common skin disease—60–70% of people are affected by acne at some point in their lives—those with persistent acne can feel very alone: feelings of isolation, depression and social inhibition frequently occur with acne. Yet there’s no need to suffer alone anymore. Use the Acne Web Guide to research acne treatment in the privacy of your home, find the latest news and research on acne, and connect with a community of other acne sufferers through online support groups.
Expand All Guide SectionsAcne Causes
Understanding the cause of acne is the first step toward treating it. Unfortunately, there’s ... read more »
Acne Treatment
Whether you’re a teenager with acne who’s been told, “You’ll outgrow it,” or an adult with acne who often hears, “It’s not so bad,” only you know how deeply acne affects you. Use the sites recommended here to research acne treatment options so that you can decide with your physician what treatment is best for you.
Insights for Acne Treatment
- If you’re unsure whether your acne is “bad” enough to warrant seeing a dermatologist, take a look at this article on AcneNet. Though aimed at teenagers, the checklist covers some of the common emotions and stages associated with acne. Be aware that educating yourself about acne with this Web guide is only the beginning; seeing a dermatologist is the best way to treat acne and prevent future scarring.
- As noted in the “Acne Causes” section, many of the Web sites on acne are trying to sell a product and therefore aren’t likely to provide unbiased information. If you visit a Web site that’s not recommended in this guide, try to find an "About Us" section to see who is paying for the information and consider whether there may be any bias. If you can't find a reliable source for the information (for example, a medical institution), don’t assume that it’s trustworthy.
- Adult men with acne will find the information in the “For an overview” subsection, below, very helpful for treating their acne. Adult women, however, often don’t respond to conventional treatment options, as their acne is frequently the result of fluctuating hormones. Don’t miss the “For women” subsection, below, for information on treating hormonal acne.
Top Sites for Acne Treatment
For an overview of acne treatment …
Mayo Clinic
provides an overview of the different types of acne and acne scar treatments available. Take a look at the prevention and self-care recommendations for simple ways to treat acne at home.
AcneNet
takes a more in-depth look at acne treatments. Use the links in the “More Information” box on the right to explore treatments by acne severity (mild acne, moderate acne or severe acne) or by therapy type.
WebMD
compares the newest acne treatments with the old standbys in this article, “Acne Treatments: Old vs. New.” Find out how the latest laser and pulsed light treatments stack up to the usual antibiotic and topical therapies.
Acne treatment for teens …
American Academy of Family Physicians
presents “Acne in Teens: Ways to Control It.” Use the links on the left to skip to treatment topics such as over-the-counter products, prescription options and recommendations for treating severe acne.
Acne treatment for women …
DocDerm
is the Web site of Dr. Robert Rosen, a dermatologist with a private practice in New Jersey. The site won’t win any design awards, but it’s certainly worth a look for its coverage of hormonal acne in adult women. Read about the different options available in the hormonal treatment approach.
Acne treatment for people of color …
AcneNet
covers five factors that are of specific concern when treating acne in those with skin of color. Learn what “dark spots” are and how to treat them, and find out what to avoid when treating your acne.
To locate a dermatologist …
WebMD
has a quick guide to choosing a dermatologist. Read the list of suggested questions to ask your prospective dermatologist in order to help ensure a good fit.
American Academy of Dermatology
provides some background on the practice of dermatology and has a “Find a Dermatologist” search tool. Search by city, state or zip code to find a dermatologist near you.
For clinical trials ...
ClinicalTrials.gov
is a clearinghouse operated by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and offers a list of research clinical trials currently underway to test experimental treatments for acne. To learn more about clinical trials, speak to your doctor and read the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's guide.
To treat acne scars …
AcneNet
provides a thorough examination of acne scars. Learn what causes scarring, how to prevent scarring and how to identify the different types of scars. Photos accompany the straightforward, well-written text.
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
presents some of the common methods used to minimize the scarring that can result from acne. Use the “Find a Dermatologic Surgeon” search tool to find a surgeon near you.
Who knew?
Acne.org
is the Web site of one longtime acne sufferer, Dan, who wants to help others with acne. Dan shares his “Regimen” for clear skin: a simple three-step process using only a gentle cleanser, 2.5% benzoyl peroxide and a moisturizer. Though he offers his own products for sale on the site, he stresses that using the inexpensive, over-the-counter versions are just as effective.
Acne Help
Gone are the days when you had to suffer alone with your acne. The Web makes it easy to find ... read more »
Acne Research and News
Read the latest acne research and news headlines on the Web. read more »
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
