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Rough categories
Clinicians generally describe acne along these lines:
- Mild: mostly comedones with a few inflamed spots
- Moderate: more widespread papules and pustules
- Severe: numerous inflamed lesions, nodules or cysts, often with scarring
Why it matters
Over-the-counter routines are generally aimed at mild to moderate acne. If your experience sits beyond that, a dermatologist has options that are simply not available on a shelf — and getting there earlier reduces the scarring window.
Key takeaways
- • Severity guides where treatment usually starts.
- • Severe acne benefits from earlier professional care.
Consider professional advice if
- • Your breakouts are painful, deep or leaving scars
- • Things are getting worse quickly despite a reasonable routine
- • Your skin is significantly affecting how you feel day to day
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