Acne: From Acne Causes to Acne Treatments
Though acne is a common skin disease—85–100% 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 Internet to research acne causes and treatments in the privacy of your home, find the latest news and research on acne, and be connected 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 no single cause and no simple answer. Acne can affect teenagers, adults, even newborn babies, and a variety of factors contribute to acne in each case. Read on in this section to explore the causes of acne and take a look at the issues involved for each group.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Many of the Web sites on acne are trying to sell a product and therefore aren’t likely to provide unbiased, medically sound information. AcneNet, a Web site of the American Academy of Dermatology, is an excellent educational resource that provides credible information tailored for a general audience. For that reason, the AcneNet Web site appears several times throughout this guide.
- The sites included here can help you dispel myths about acne, such as the idea that eating greasy foods or chocolate causes acne (studies show that no specific foods cause acne) or that only teenagers get acne (plenty of adult men and women get acne, too, and adult women are more prone to acne than men).
- Be sure not to confuse rosacea (sometimes called acne rosacea) with acne. Rosacea is a skin disease involving the blood vessels in the face and occurs most commonly in adults ages 30 to 50. For more information on rosacea, visit MedicineNet.com.
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For an overview …
MedicineNet.com
provides a lengthy introduction to acne. Use the links at the top of the article to jump to topics of interest, like “What is acne?” and “What causes acne?” Don’t miss the “What other skin conditions can mimic acne?” segment to rule out other conditions that may look like acne.
AcneNet
quickly defines acne and elaborates more on the different types of acne. Take a look at the photos of each type to help identify them, and don’t miss “Myths About Acne.”
For infants …
Mayo Clinic
defines milia and baby acne and has photos of both to make identification easy. Read the causes of each condition and find treatment suggestions.
For teens …
TeensHealth
explains what acne is and what causes it in language teens can relate to. Use the “More Articles Like This” tab on the side to find other helpful articles, such as “Can I Prevent Acne?” and “Myths About Acne.”
For adult women …
The National Women’s Health Information Center
is a service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Office on Women’s Health. The site’s coverage of acne in women begins by pointing out that acne affects men and women in different ways. Read the common causes of acne in women to learn the role that hormone changes play.
Health24
is a health and lifestyle Web site based in South Africa. Read the site’s article “Women with acne” to focus on the role of the male hormone androgen in the formation of acne in adult women.
For adult men …
Men’s Health
, a popular men’s magazine, has a section of its Web site devoted to acne. The article explains some of the causes of acne and touches on contributing factors that might be of specific interest to men, such as the fact that “body-building” steroids can bring on acne.
Treating Acne and Acne Scars
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 and acne scar treatment options so that you can decide with your physician what treatment is best for you.
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- 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.
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For an overview …
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.
For teens …
The 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.
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.
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.
The 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.
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
presents some of the common methods used to minimize the scarring that can result from acne. Use the “Procedures” link on the left to find more information on techniques such as dermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser resurfacing. Visit the “Find a dermasurgeon” page for information on choosing a doctor, or use the dermasurgeon search page 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.
Support for Acne
Gone are the days when you had to suffer alone with your acne. The Web makes it easy to ask questions, get advice, and a gain sense of community with other acne sufferers—all anonymously, if you like. Use this section of the guide to find some great forums, support groups, and blogs to keep you informed and connected.
Dulcinea's Insight
- If there’s any doubt in your mind that acne can cause all kinds of emotional trauma, read “The Social Impact of Acne” to find a list of the negative effects acne can have and some actual quotes from patients with acne describing how they feel.
- Perhaps due to the social withdrawal and embarrassment associated with acne, our search for face-to-face acne support groups turned up very few results. The Acne Support Group, based in the UK, offers little information on their Web site and must be contacted via phone or mail for meeting times. Likewise, the Washington, D.C. Acne Scar Support Group Web site is minimal and out of date. Asking your dermatologist if she is aware of a local acne support group may be your best bet.
- Though face-to-face support groups are rare, online support groups for acne sufferers are flourishing. Some of the forums we didn’t include are very out of date or full of posts recommending “miraculous” cures for acne. Keep in mind that some Web sites are merely trying to sell a product, and they sometimes have their own employees pose as anonymous users who rave about how great the product is. Not everyone tells the truth on forums, so be wary of posts about particular products and be careful about how much personal information you share online.
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For online support groups and forums …
ClearSkin.net
features a very active forum with thousands of posts. Also look for ratings of acne products and acne advice from other users.
HealthBoards.com
hosts an acne message board. Look for frequent posts on topics like cystic acne, popular medications, and tips and advice from other users.
DailyStrength
has an online support group for acne. Create a free profile to exchange messages and virtual hugs, and to share your experiences. Also find news headlines relating to acne, information on treatments, product recommendations, and advice.
The Acne Support Group in Cyberspace
has a strong online presence, and it is constantly referenced on other sites. Unfortunately, it’s gathered a bit of dust lately, and many of the forum topics haven’t been touched in a year or two. If you’re not looking for a quick response to your post but just want to browse advice and information, this might be worth a visit.
For blogs …
Distressed Derma
, written by a woman with hormonal acne, is overloaded with ads and product recommendations that make it a bit of a visual nightmare. However, with a no-nonsense yet empathetic tone, the author takes you by the hand and guides you through the labyrinth of acne products, treatments, attitudes, and emotions.
Savvy Skin
is a colorfully cluttered blog written by a woman who has battled early wrinkles and adult acne. She shares her personal experiences and knowledge gained from working at a skincare spa in Las Vegas. Browse the most recent posts or skip directly to the Acne category.
Who knew?
Skinema.com
recognizes that laughter is the best medicine. Created by a “dermatologist and film buff,” the site takes a close-up, tongue-in-cheek look at celebrities with skin problems and the various rashes, scars, and lesions that turn up in the movies.
Acne News and Research
Read the latest headlines and studies related to acne.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Many of the resources listed in previous sections of this Web guide, particularly the official sites for medical institutions, also provide news and research information on acne. Explore the recommended Web sites to see what you can find.
- If you pursue acne research beyond this Web guide, make sure to “search smart.” Established medical institutions and dermatological organizations are good sources of legitimate information on acne. Visit the findingDulcinea Guide to Web Search to learn how to evaluate the quality and integrity of the sites you find.
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For acne news…
ScienceDaily
publishes news articles in science, technology, and medicine. Take a look at the site’s “Skin Care News” page for general dermatology headlines, or use the search field in the upper right corner to find headlines specific to acne.
AcneNet
, a Web site of the American Academy of Dermatology, has an archive of news releases of interest to the acne patient. Note that the links take you to the American Academy of Dermatology Web site, where you can browse the “Skin News Briefs” for more general skin-related news items.
For acne research and journals….
Dermatology Times
is a monthly magazine aimed at dermatologists. Use the search field at the upper left to find articles related to acne, then sort the results by date or relevance. Some articles are only available to registered members of ModernMedicine.com, an online medical information aggregator, but registration is free and quick.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
, the academy’s official publication, offers peer-reviewed articles on research, diagnostic methods, and treatments of skin disorders. Use the search field in the upper right corner to find articles of interest. Subscribe to the site for free to read article abstracts, or pay $30 to access articles.
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