Misconceptions about a relationship between acne and diet, athletics, or sex are common and warrant discussion. Treatment depends on the severity of the lesions. Although washing lesions several times a day has little effect, the appearance of an oily face often improves. Any good toilet soap may be used. In superficial pustular acne, topical clindamycin or erythromycin alone or with one of the follicular drugs mentioned below is probably most useful.
Sunlight causes mild dryness and slight scaling and is usually helpful.
However, sunlight is not always available, and its benefit may be difficult to duplicate with a sunlamp. It may be slightly less irritating than topical tretinoin. The eyes, nasolabial folds, and creases of the mouth should be avoided. The liquid form of tretinoin should be applied with a cotton-tipped applicator. Exposure to sunlight and use of other drugs are restricted to prevent severe irritation.