Early vs. aggressive intervention: Should we treat mild acne like moderate acne?

This talk by Dr. Vishnu focuses on the treatment of acne by first distinguishing between mild and moderate grades and setting appropriate treatment goals. He emphasizes the importance of accurately grading acne before initiating therapy and avoiding the mistake of treating mild acne as moderate acne. Mild acne can generally be managed with low-strength topical agents such as benzoyl peroxide or adapalene, along with lifestyle modifications related to gut health. The goals for treating mild acne are to resolve existing lesions and prevent progression to moderate acne, which carries a higher risk of scarring. Moderate acne, on the other hand, may require more intensive treatment, including stronger prescription topicals or oral antibiotics. Dr. Vishnu highlights that the overarching aim of acne management is to prevent scarring, and for cases requiring prescription medications, patients should be informed that these therapies may take 2–3 months to demonstrate noticeable improvement and to reduce the risk of scar formation.