Moderate Acne

Jawline with moderate acne
Forehead with moderate acne

Blackheads, whiteheads and red pustules and papules (pimples and red bumps) on the face and sometimes on the chest or back. There are a greater number of spots than is seen in mild acne.

Often called ‘inflammatory’ acne, acne scars may develop after the spots have healed.

Blackheads, whiteheads and red pustules and papules (pimples and red bumps) on the face and sometimes on the chest or back. There are a greater number of spots than is seen in mild acne.

*Generally, the more intense the inflammation (redness, pus, pain), the greater the injury to the skin and risk for scarring.

In people with a darker skin colour, dark stains (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or PIH) may appear at the sites of previous acne spots.

It’s not only teens who can get moderate acne. Adults can get this type of acne too, particularly women in their 20s, 30’s, 40’s and even 50’s (see more on Adult acne)

Cheek with moderate acne
Woman's jawline with moderate acne

Important facts about moderate acne

# Around  in 3 in 10 young people get moderate acne.

# Moderate acne will not usually go away on its own (see below – What to do).

# This more serious form of acne is more likely to leave scars and dark marks.

# Acne may get worse as teens get older. Males teens tend to get more severe acne.

# Adult acne ranges from mild to moderate in severity.

What to do:

Medical help from your family doctor or a dermatologist should be sought to bring the condition under control and limit the risk of scarring or the development of PIH (dark stains). See more on treatments here How do I treat Moderate Acne ?

*** Note: There are many conditions that look like acne. If you are not sure if you have acne, see your physician or dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis.

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