Acne afflicts mostly teenage boys, but some girls and women often experience acne flare-up during the menstrual cycle or ovulation period. There is no cure for acne, but treatments can improve the condition. On a visit to a dermatologist, he or she will look for acne comedones, pustules, nodules and cysts on the face, chest, back, upper arms and shoulders. A doctor can usually make the diagnosis of acne based on a simple physical examination. Normally, questions on diet, cosmetic use and family history are noted by the doctor.

See your doctor if you or your teenager have acne that is not controlled with over-the-counter washes or gels. Remember that in teenagers, the amount of acne may not be a true gauge of the impact of the problem on a child's life. Even small amounts of acne can be terribly embarrassing and psychologically painful to some young people. It is always best to talk these things out with your teenager. If, on the other hand, your child feels that this is not a problem, be patient with him. You cannot force the child to go into treatment.

Some Solutions to Get Rid of Acne

Unluckily, the tendency to develop acne is inherited and acne cannot be "prevented". However it is helpful to remember that it is a normal part of maturing hormonally and develops in most people. The effects can be lessening by careful cleanliness.

The treatment of acne is usually designed to prevent formation of new lesions and aid the healing of old ones. Your doctor may suggest the following ways to treat your acne.

- Salicyclic acid washes - these washes help "empty" comedones.

- Benzoyl peroxide gels which is a kind of medications that applied to the skin as a thin film. They fight the growth of bacteria and help clear blocked follicles after they dry and peel the skin. Although some acne treatments in weaker over-the-counter lotions are available, your doctor may prescribe a more effective and stronger gel form.

- Tretinoin (Retin-A) that applied to the skin as a cream, solution or gel form can helps to clear the skin of plugged follicles by increasing the turnover of skin cells. Tretinoin should be used with a sunscreen as it also increases the skin's sensitivity to sunlight.

- Antibiotics - clindamycin and erythromycin can be applied directly to the skin to reduce the growth of acne-causing bacteria.

Although the results vary and may not be seen for weeks or months, acne always can be controlled with medication. For instance, most topical medicines which treatments applied directly to the skin work within 4-8 weeks. Retin-A also may show peak results within 3-6 months.