Q&A Health Guides

Series Foreword
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Guide to Health Literacy
Common Misconceptions about Acne

Questions and Answers

Acne Basics
1. What is acne, and are there different types?
2. How common is acne?
3. Is acne contagious?
4. How does acne affect the skin?
5. Where does acne appear?
6. What is the spectrum of acne severity?
7. Why does acne tend to happen in adolescence?
8. Does acne also occur outside of adolescence?
9. How does acne differ in skin of color?
10. What is the difference between acne and rosacea?
11. What other conditions can mimic acne?

The Causes of Acne
12. Why does acne happen?
13. How do hormones affect acne?
14. What medical conditions can cause acne?
15. Can stress affect acne?
16. How does weight gain affect acne?
17. Do alcohol and smoking influence acne?
18. How does diet affect acne?
19. Can wearing makeup cause acne?
20. Is acne caused by poor hygiene?
21. Is there a genetic component to acne?
22. How does pregnancy influence acne?
23. What medications can cause or worsen acne?
24. What are some red flags that indicate a more serious form of acne?

Living with Acne
25. How does acne impact self-image?
26. Can having acne lead to depression?
27. Is it okay to pick at acne bumps?
28. Does anything help make acne less itchy?
29. Can you wear makeup with acne?
30. How can I change my skincare routine to help with acne?
31. What other lifestyle modifications can help with acne?
32. What support resources are available for people with acne?

Acne Treatments
33. When does acne need to be treated by a doctor?
34. What types of doctors are trained to treat acne?
35. What is benzoyl peroxide and how does it help acne?
36. Can antibiotics help with treating acne?
37. How do topical retinoids help with acne?
38. What is isotretinoin (Accutane)?
39. What is the iPLEDGE program?
40. How is hormonal acne treated differently than other types of acne?
41. Can light therapy be helpful in treating acne?
42. What cosmetic treatments can help with acne?
43. Does alternative medicine offer any effective treatments for acne?
44. What are the common side effects of acne treatment?
45. How long does it typically take to effectively treat acne?
46. Is treating acne expensive?

Managing the Skin After Acne
47. Can acne reoccur?
48. Does acne have any long-term impact on the skin?
49. Why can skin become lighter or darker after acne goes away?
50. What causes acne scarring?
51. How common are acne scars?
52. Is there a way to minimize the chance of developing acne scars?
53. Are acne scars permanent?
54. What treatments are available for acne scarring?

Case Studies

Glossary
Directory of Resources
Index