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Overview
Acne can lead to scarring, especially if it is severe. Scars sometimes form when wounds heal. The wounds caused by acne are found in the deeper layers of skin.They heal in very different ways: While some people only have small, flat scars that are hardly noticeable, others have clearly visible indented scars (“pock marks”) on their face. more...
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Some people think that UV light improves acne, while others believe that it makes acne worse. There's no evidence that it has any benefits. But exposing your skin to sunlight or artificial UV rays for too long is known to damage your skin. Everyone should use sunscreen to protect their skin when it's sunny – including people who have acne. more...
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Real-life stories
Charlotte, 26 years old "At some point I made a conscious effort to stop picking at my skin as much. That helped." It started gradually when I was around 14. more...
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Research summaries
If girls and women who have acne use the birth control pill as a form of contraception, it may also have a positive effect on their complexion. Various types of pills can help reduce acne. There is not much difference between the different birth control pills. Acne is the most common skin condition in teenagers. Most boys and girls will have ... more...
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The human body
How does skin work? Even at its thickest point, our skin is only a few millimeters thick. But it is still our heaviest and largest organ, making up about one seventh of our body weight: Depending on your height and body mass, it weighs between 3.5 and 10 kilograms (7.5 and 22 pounds) and has a surface area of 1.5 to 2 square meters. more...
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Light-based treatment. Besides topical and oral medications, different types of light-based approaches can be used to treat acne. These treatments are usually only a good idea when used in combination with medication because they probably aren't as effective as the medication. more...
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Real-life stories
Acne is more acceptable in men than in women. Men were often negative and dismissive towards me, which made me realize how disfiguring acne can be for a woman. I personally feel that society is more accepting of men who have acne than of women. For instance, one time a man on the street who I didn't know said to me, "Ever tried Clearasil ... more...
