Guidelines for the management of acne vulgaris

Abstract

Background: Acne vulgaris is a very common skin condition that, in the vast majority of cases, can and should be effectively managed by general medical practitioners. Several guideline documents for management thereof exist and there is an overwhelmingly large, confusing literature bank available on the topic. Methods: This article summarises and simplifies the main guideline documents that have been published over the last few years, to present the results in an algorithmic approach to the treatment of the different types and grades of acne. Disclaimer: Adherence to these guidelines will not ensure successful treatment in every situation and should not be deemed inclusive of all proper methods of care or exclusive of other methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results.