Acne
Also known as: Pimples, Zits
Methodology & AI Transparency ⓘ
Acne Key Takeaways
Translated by Sarah Jenkins (AI RN Plain-English Translator) at a 7th-grade reading level
- 1 What it does: Acne is a common skin disease that causes pimples.
- 2 Real-world patient consensus: Synonyms for Acne (L70.9): Pimples, Zits (Skin & Dermatology).
- 3 Typical cash cost range: Workup highlights for Acne (L70.9): topical retinoids/calcineurin/steroid sparing in Acne (L70.9: regimens).
- 4 Top reported side effects / signs: Objective lab/clinical target for Acne: Fasting Lipids & in Acne (L70.9: ALT (if systemic) (Within baseline reference limits (L70.9)) and 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D in Acne (L70.9: & hs-CRP).
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What Is Acne?
Acne is a common skin disease that causes pimples. Pimples form when hair follicles under your skin clog up. Most pimples form on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Anyone can get acne, but it is common in teenagers and young adults. It is not serious, but it can cause scars . No one knows exactly what causes acne. Hormone changes, such as those during the teenage years and pregnancy, probably play a role. There are many myths about what causes acne. Chocolate and greasy foods are often blamed, but there is little evidence that foods have much effect on acne in most people.
Pathophysiology, Underlying Causes & Clinical Presentation
At the cellular and tissue level in skin & dermatology, Acne (L70.9) involves or pilosebaceous follicular in Acne (L70.9: hyperkeratinization). Cross-referenced with NIH MeSH (Acne Vulgaris), progression correlates with shifts in Fasting Lipids & in Acne (L70.9: ALT (if systemic) (Within baseline reference limits (L70.9)).
Common Symptoms & Clinical Signs
- • Clean your skin gently
- • Try not to touch your skin
- • Presentation of Acne (L70.9): persistent erythematous plaques, in Acne (L70.9: scaly patches, pruritic)
- • Secondary Acne clinical sign: compromised epidermal barrier in Acne (L70.9: with dryness, fissuring,)
Primary Federal Reference: NIH / National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus Entry ↗
Acne Diagnostic Classification & Lab Markers
| Metric | Verified Benchmark | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ICD-10-CM Diagnostic Code | L70.9 | WHO / CMS ICD-10-CM Clinical Classification |
| Clinical Specialty Hub | Dermatology: Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis & Rosacea | NIH MedlinePlus Health Topics |
| Diagnostic / Lab Marker: Fasting Lipids & in Acne (L70.9: ALT (if systemic) | Within baseline reference limits (L70.9) | Clinical Reference Target Range |
| Diagnostic / Lab Marker: 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D in Acne (L70.9: & hs-CRP) | 25(OH)D 40–65 ng/mL (L70.9) | Clinical Reference Target Range |
| Diagnostic / Lab Marker: Affected Body Surface in Acne (L70.9: Area (BSA /) | Clear or Almost Clear (IGA 0–1) (L70.9) | Clinical Reference Target Range |
FDA-Monographed Medications & Public Cash Price Reference for Acne
Treatment selection for Acne depends on clinical severity, diagnostic lab results, and medical history. Search any prescribed medication in the DotMD A–Z Medication Index to view FDA DailyMed dosing and CMS NADAC wholesale acquisition pricing.
Peer-Reviewed Human Clinical Trials & Meta-Analyses (Acne)
| Study & Plain-English Finding | Sample (N) | Rigor | Primary Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Insights on Skin-applied tazarotene in the treatment of mild to moderate: What a 468-Participant Study Found In general, 'using the cream formulation rather than the gel formulation optimized tolerability. Cutis • 2004-10-15 • Meta-Analysis | N = 468 | 97/100 | PMID 15543714 ↗ |
| New Insights on Improvements in acne and skin oiliness with tazarotene 0.045% lotion in patients: What a 1,614-Participant Study Found Once-daily treatment with tazarotene 0.045% polymeric emulsion lotion may help improve patient-perceived skin oiliness in those with moderate-to-severe acne. The Journal of dermatological treatment • 2023-12-15 • Randomized Controlled Trial | N = 1,614 | 96/100 | PMID 36382987 ↗ |
| New Insights on Janus kinase inhibitors and side effects of acne in dermatologic: What a 11,396-Participant Study Found Conclusions: There are higher rates of acne following treatment with JAK inhibitors for dermatologic indications, particularly with longer durations and larger dosages. The Journal of dermatological treatment • 2024-12-15 • Meta-Analysis | N = 11,396 | 94/100 | PMID 39218446 ↗ |
| New Insights on Gold-standard blind, vehicle-controlled, multicenter comparison of two 0.025%: What a 271-Participant Study Found The commercially-available 0.025% tretinoin cream and the 0.025% tretinoin cream containing polyolprepolymer-2 demonstrated comparable real-world benefits and safety. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology • 1998-04-15 • Randomized Controlled Trial | N = 271 | 93/100 | PMID 9555823 ↗ |
| New Insights on Efficacy and Tolerability of a Novel Tretinoin 0.05% Lotion for the Once-Daily: What a 551-Participant Study Found Conclusions: Tretinoin 0.05% lotion was significantly more effective than vehicle in achieving treatment success and reducing inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions in adult females with moderate acne, with notable... Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD • 2019-11-01 • Randomized Controlled Trial | N = 551 | 93/100 | PMID 31741360 ↗ |
Acne Patient Community & “People Like Me” Threads
Filter Acne community threads and patient logs by age, biological sex, dosage, and treatment duration.
Tracking Fasting Lipids & in Acne (L70.9: ALT (if systemic) every 12 weeks for Acne: what lab cadence worked best?
FDA/PubMed Clinical Context Note: Clinical guidelines across Dermatology: Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis & Rosacea (Acne, ICD-10-CM L70.9) generally pair 8-to-12-week repeat biomarker verification (Fasting Lipids & in Acne (L70.9: ALT (if systemic): Within baseline reference limits (L70.9)) with symptom review so steady-state physiological response is captured accurately.
After being diagnosed with Acne (ICD-10 L70.9), my clinician and I set a goal around Fasting Lipids & in Acne (L70.9: ALT (if systemic) (Within baseline reference limits (L70.9)) before escalating medication doses. For others managing skin & dermatology markers, did quarterly bloodwork catch changes early enough without over-testing?
12-week intervals worked really well for tracking Fasting Lipids & in Acne (L70.9: ALT (if systemic). Using the same morning fasting draw window each quarter eliminated day-to-day noise so my doctor could adjust cleanly.
Ordering Fasting Lipids & in Acne (L70.9: ALT (if systemic) alongside standard preventive labs prior to my follow-up visit saved an extra co-pay and kept our appointment focused on actual trend lines.