Acne vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is a common inflammatory skin condition. Although often perceived as a self limited disease of adolescence, its prevalence remains high into adulthood. Nearly 90% of teenagers have acne, and half of them continue to experience symptoms as adults. By age 40 years, 1% of men and 5% of women still have lesions. Recent analyses show an increasing prevalence of acne in children, perhaps because of pubertal onset. Given that acne may persist for decades and require long term therapy, there has been a recent effort to reclassify acne as a chronic disease. 6 Acne has clear detrimental psychosocial effects and may lead to permanent scarring. It is therefore not surprising that patients are motivated to seek medical care. In the United Kingdom, acne accounts for more than 3.5 million annual visits to general practitioners, 8 who must therefore be equipped to treat acne. Several prominent groups—including the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne, the European Dermatology Forum, and the American Academy of Dermatology—have published comprehensive treatment recommendations detailing comparable therapeutic strategies. Here we provide a streamlined outline of treatment intended for the non-specialist. What are the clinical characteristics of acne?