• UCLA Health
  • myUCLAhealth
  • School of Medicine
UCLA Dermatology

UCLA Dermatology

UCLA Dermatology
  • About Us
    • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
    • Support Our Mission
    • Our Locations
    • In the News
    • Newsletter
  • Clinical Programs
    • Cosmetic Dermatology
    • Dermatologic Surgery
    • Medical Dermatology
    • Pediatric Dermatology
    • Specialty Clinics
  • Conditions Treated
    • Acanthosis nigricans
    • Acne
    • Actinic keratosis
    • Alopecia areata
    • Atopic dermatitis
    • Basal cell carcinoma
    • Bedbugs
    • Dry skin
    • Genital warts
    • Hair loss
    • Head lice
    • Herpes simplex
    • Hives
    • Lichen planus
    • Melanoma
    • Melasma
    • Moles
    • Molluscum contagiosum
    • Nummular dermatitis
    • Pityriasis rosea
    • Poison ivy oak and sumac
    • Psoriasis
    • Psoriasis Arthritis
    • Rosacea
    • Scabies
    • Scalp psoriasis
    • Seborrheic dermatitis
    • Seborrheic keratoses
    • Shingles
    • Skin cancer
    • Squamous cell carcinoma
    • Tinea Versicolor
    • Vitiligo
    • Warts
    • Cosmetic Conditions
    • Conditions Treated Through Surgery
    • Acanthosis Nigricans
    • Acne
    • Actinic Keratosis
    • Alopecia Areata
    • Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
    • Basal Cell Carcinoma
    • Bedbugs
    • Dry Skin
    • Genital Warts
    • Hair Loss (Baldness)
    • Head Lice
    • Herpes Simplex
    • Hives
    • Lichen Planus
    • Melanoma
    • Melasma
    • Moles
    • Molluscum Contagiosum
    • Nummular Dermatitis
    • Pityriasis Rosea
    • Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac
    • Psoriasis
    • Psoriasis Arthritis
    • Rosacea
    • Scabies
    • Scalp psoriasis
    • Seborrheic Dermatitis
    • Seborrheic Keratoses
    • Shingles
    • Skin Cancer
    • Squamous Cell Carcinoma
    • Tinea Versicolor
    • Vitiligo
    • Warts
  • Our Locations
  • For Patients
    • Appointment request
    • Skin Cancer Prevention
  • Education
    • Fellowship
    • Grand Rounds
    • Medical Students
    • Residency Program
    • Victor D. Newcomer Endowed Lectureship
  • Research
    • Roger Lo Lab
    • Jenny Kim Lab
    • Robert Modlin Lab
    • Clinical Trials
  • Our Expert Team
    • Meet our Faculty
    • Meet our Residents
  • UCLA Health
  • myUCLAhealth
  • School of Medicine

UCLA Dermatology

Conditions Treated

Conditions Treated

Conditions Treated

  • Cosmetic Conditions
  • Conditions Treated Through Surgery
  • Acanthosis Nigricans
  • Acne
  • Actinic Keratosis
  • Alopecia Areata
  • Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
  • Basal Cell Carcinoma
  • Bedbugs
  • Dry Skin
  • Genital Warts
  • Hair Loss (Baldness)
  • Head Lice
  • Herpes Simplex
  • Hives
  • Lichen Planus
  • Melanoma
  • Melasma
  • Moles
  • Molluscum Contagiosum
  • Nummular Dermatitis
  • Pityriasis Rosea
  • Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac
  • Psoriasis
  • Psoriasis Arthritis
  • Rosacea
  • Scabies
  • Scalp psoriasis
  • Seborrheic Dermatitis
  • Seborrheic Keratoses
  • Shingles
  • Skin Cancer
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma
  • Tinea Versicolor
  • Vitiligo
  • Warts
  • Cosmetic Conditions
  • Conditions Treated Through Surgery
  • Acanthosis Nigricans
  • Acne
  • Actinic Keratosis
  • Alopecia Areata
  • Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
  • Basal Cell Carcinoma
  • Bedbugs
  • Dry Skin
  • Genital Warts
  • Hair Loss (Baldness)
  • Head Lice
  • Herpes Simplex
  • Hives
  • Lichen Planus
  • Melanoma
  • Melasma
  • Moles
  • Molluscum Contagiosum
  • Nummular Dermatitis
  • Pityriasis Rosea
  • Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac
  • Psoriasis
  • Psoriasis Arthritis
  • Rosacea
  • Scabies
  • Scalp psoriasis
  • Seborrheic Dermatitis
  • Seborrheic Keratoses
  • Shingles
  • Skin Cancer
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma
  • Tinea Versicolor
  • Vitiligo
  • Warts
  1. Home
  2. Conditions Treated
  3. Acne

Acne

Share this

What Is Acne?

Acne is a common skin disorder that occurs when pores become clogged. It can affect both men and women. Acne most often occurs in teenagers or young adults, but it can occur at any age. In fact, most people in the United States between 11 and 30 years old have acne.

What Causes Acne?

Acne is caused when hair follicles becoming blocked and filled with dead skin and oily secretions (sebum). This blockage allows bacteria to overgrow, which leads to inflammation. Hormones can increase sebum production and may worsen acne.

Other causes of acne include:

  • Hormone level changes during the menstrual cycle in women
  • Hormone changes during pregnancy
  • Starting or stopping birth control pills
  • Certain drugs (such as corticosteroids, lithium, and barbiturates)
  • Oil and grease from the scalp, mineral or cooking oil and certain cosmetics

Signs and Symptoms of Acne

Acne commonly occurs on the face, chest and back. Some acne lesions may leave dark spots as they heal, and some may scar. Acne can develop in different ways:

  • Blackheads
  • Whiteheads
  • Red bumps or pustules (pimples)
  • Larger nodules that can be tender or filled with pus

Treatment for Acne

Treatments are aimed at either preventing pores from becoming clogged or killing bacteria that contribute to acne. Treatment plans for acne depend on:

  • Your age, overall health and medical history
  • Severity of the acne
  • Your tolerance to specific medications, procedures or therapies
  • Expectations for the course of the condition
  • Your opinion or preference

Your dermatologist may use one or a combination of the following treatments:

  • Washes
  • Topical (skin-based) or oral antibiotics or retinoids
  • Oral medications such as birth control pills to help control hormones that contribute to acne

If you have acne, you should:

  • Avoid picking the areas because they can worsen and lead to scarring.
  • Use skin products to help prevent clogged pores.

Contact Us

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (310) 917-3376.

Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Subscribe to Our Videos on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Connect with Us on LinkedIn Follow us on Pinterest
UCLA Health hospitals ranked best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report
  • UCLA Health
  • Find a Doctor
  • School of Medicine
  • School of Nursing
  • UCLA Campus
  • Directory
  • Newsroom
  • Subscribe
  • Patient Stories
  • Giving
  • Careers
  • Volunteer
  • International Services
  • Privacy Practices
  • Nondiscrimination
  • Billing
  • Health Plans
  • Emergency
  • Report Broken Links
  • Terms of Use
  • 1-310-825-2631
  • Maps & Directions
  • Contact Us
  • Your Feedback
  • Report Misconduct
  • Get Social
  • Sitemap
Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Subscribe to Our Videos on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Connect with Us on LinkedIn Follow us on Pinterest

Sign in to myUCLAhealth

Learn more about myUCLAhealth