Is there a test for acne?

To see if you have acne, doctors may:

• Ask about your family history, and, for girls or women, ask about their menstrual cycles.
• Ask about your symptoms, including how long you have had lesions.
• Ask what medications you have taken recently.
• Look at your skin to help determine the type of acne lesion.
• Order lab work to determine if another condition or medical disorder is causing the lesions.

How is acne treated?

The goals of treatment are to:

• Help heal lesions.
• Stop new lesions from forming.
• Prevent scarring.

Medications can help stop some of the causes of acne from developing. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications to take by mouth or apply to the skin. Talk to your doctor about any side effects that you experience.  

Some people who have severe acne may need additional treatments, such as:

• Laser and light therapies.
• Procedure to remove the acne when other treatments are not helpful.
• Superficial chemical peels that a doctor applies to remove the outermost layers of the skin.  
• Surgical procedures to help treat and repair scarring.

Who treats acne?

The following doctors may diagnose and treat acne:

• Dermatologists, who specialize in conditions of the skin, hair, and nails.
• Primary health care providers, including family doctors, internists, or pediatricians.