Chocolate and greasy foods are often blamed, but research has shown that foods seem to have little effect on the development and course of acne in most people. People of all ages get acne, but it is most common in adolescents. Nearly 85 percent of adolescents and young adults between the ages of 12 and 24 develop the disorder. People of all races can have acne, but it is more common among Caucasians. Acne is often treated by a dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases and disorders of the skin.
Dermatologists treat all kinds of acne, particularly severe cases.
Doctors who are general or family practitioners, pediatricians, or internists may treat patients with milder cases of acne. The main goal of acne treatment is to prevent scarring. Additional goals are to reduce the number of painful lesions and to minimize the psychological stress and embarrassment caused by this disease. Doctors often use drug therapy as the first choice for treating acne. The doctor may suggest using more than one topical medication or using both an oral medication and a topical medication at the same time.