Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have acne because I need to wash my face more often?
What causes acne?
What may make acne worse?
Can certain foods make acne worse?
Should I see a doctor about my acne?
How should I treat my acne?
Can I wear makeup or moisturizer on my face?
Where can I get more information about acne?
Do I have acne because I need to wash my face more often?
Although acne is not caused by dirt, it is important to wash your face every day. Use a
mild cleanser and warm water. Don't scrub. Gently dry your face by patting with a
soft, clean towel. Please read about the causes of acne for
more information.
What causes acne?
During puberty, the hormone testosterone, found in
both males and females, increases. Testosterone is
partly responsible for physical development in young people.
The hormone also causes sebaceous glands, or oil glands, to
produce more oil, which can cause more acne.
Also, acne can be caused by hereditary factors. If either of
your parents had acne as a teenager, you may get
it, too. Please read about
the causes of acne for more information.
What may make acne worse?
In addition to higher levels of testosterone, other triggers of
acne may be: 1) stress, 2) oil and grease from
cosmetics or the work environment (such as cooking near a
greasy stove), 3) picking or popping acne, and 4) around
menstruation in females.
Can certain foods make acne worse?
Some people believe that certain foods may cause acne or
make it worse, though this idea has not been proven. Nevertheless, it is
important to pay attention to your body. If you
notice that your acne gets worse when you eat certain foods,
you may want to avoid or limit your consumption of those
foods or talk to your doctor.
Should I see a doctor about my acne?
If you have acne but haven't discussed it with a doctor,
you should consider doing so.
If your acne makes you embarrassed or less confident, it might
be helpful to see a doctor who can prescribe treatment. Also, if
you have painful acne or scarring, a doctor can prescribe
treatment to help reduce those problems.
How should I treat my acne?
Consider talking to a doctor about your acne. Your doctor can
determine which type of acne you have and how best to treat it.
Your doctor may instruct you to use an over-the-counter
product or prescribe a treatment for you. The
prescription product can be an oral (medication taken by
mouth) or a topical (treatment that you put directly on your
skin). There are several different treatment options.
Can I wear makeup or moisturizer on my face?
Yes, you can, but you should look for products that have
"noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic" on the labels. These
types of products should not cause acne or make existing acne
worse. Remember to remove your makeup every night by washing your face with a mild
cleanser and warm water.
Where can I get more information about acne?
Your doctor can provide answers to many of your questions
about acne. You can also check out other websites such as aad.org,
skincarephysicians.com,
or familydoctor.org.