Symptoms
- Spots on face, chest or back
- Painful cysts or nodules
- Oily skin
- Scarring or dark marks after spots heal
Acne: symptoms, causes & treatment
Acne affects most teenagers and many adults. Persistent or scarring acne responds well to prescription treatment when over-the-counter options have not worked.
Editorial information by Kaiser Khan. Not clinically reviewed.
Why it happens
Blocked pores, excess oil, bacteria and inflammation — often hormonal. Diet and stress can flare it but rarely cause it alone.
Treatment
Prescription topical and oral options exist for moderate to severe acne. A clinician selects what is safe for you and monitors progress at 6–8 weeks.
Self-care that helps
Gentle non-comedogenic cleanser twice daily; avoid picking; consistent sunscreen; give any new treatment 8–12 weeks before judging results.
When to get help
Sudden severe acne, fever with skin rash, or acne with irregular periods and excess hair in women — get assessed for underlying causes.
Available without prescription