People with acne that is severe and tender or already scarring should also be seen by a doctor. Women with acne who develop facial hair or have irregular periods require evaluation by a physician. Anyone with a sudden severe worsening of their acne or acne with fever and severe swelling should see a doctor immediately. These could be signs of a serious skin infection. A doctor will occasionally want to check hormone blood tests or blood tests before starting some medications.
Medications are the main treatment for acne and usually work well.
They come in the form of soaps, washes, and cleansers. Many contain benzoyl peroxide, which does two things. First, benzoyl peroxide kills the acne-causing bacteria, which are thought to play a role in acne. Second, benzoyl peroxide can cause drying and flaking off of skin, which can help prevent the pores from becoming plugged. Plugged pores can develop into acne blemishes.