National Acne Awareness Month in Florida

June 11, 2025

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Acne Awareness Month is the perfect time to shed light on a condition that affects millions of people worldwide and across all age groups. June is the month dedicated to reducing the stigma surrounding acne, bust the myths, and educate the community about its causes as well as provide tips for prevention and explain treatment options. Managing severe acne is important, as it can significantly impact any individual’s quality of life.

“Acne occurs when pores become clogged with dead skin cells, natural oils, and bacteria that lead to inflammation and cause skin blemishes,” says Dr. Michael Steppie Orlando Mohs surgeon and medical director of Associates in Dermatology. “Taking time this month to raise awareness about the physical and emotional impact of acne helps empower individuals with the knowledge and resources that they need to better manage their skin health while fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges faced across all Central Florida communities.”

Different types of acne vary in severity. Mild acne consists of blackheads, whiteheads, and small papules or pustules, whereas severe acne can present as painful cysts, nodules, and inflamed pustules. While mild cases can be managed with over-the-counter products, severe cases like cystic or nodular acne may require medical attention from providers who can prescribe stronger treatments or perform specialized procedures.

Can acne be caused by hormonal changes?

Hormonal acne occurs due to shifts in levels but is not a condition separate from other types of acne. Distinct from bacterial acne, which occurs anywhere on the face or body, hormonal acne’s timing and deeper lesions set it apart. Recognizing hormonal acne can involve noting its usual traits, such as breakouts along the lower face, including the jawline, chin, and lower cheeks, often in the form of painful cystic bumps. These breakouts tend to follow a cyclical pattern, commonly triggered by hormonal changes like menstruation or a rise in testosterone. Adolescents with hormonal acne often experience breakouts in the "T-zone," encompassing the forehead, nose, and chin. Adults over 20, however, are more likely to see hormonal acne concentrated on the lower face.

Goals of Acne Awareness Month

Acne is widespread, particularly for teenagers and young adults in their 20s. While some experience mild symptoms, others deal with more severe cases. Research shows that around 90% of adolescents are affected, with the peak occurrence among girls aged 14 to 17 and boys aged 16 to 19. Breakouts most commonly appear on the face, chest, shoulders, and back. In addition, according to Yale Medicine, clinical trial data suggests over 25% of women and 12% of men in their 40s still have acne outbreaks. Here’s some June goals for empowering one's community:

• Raise Acne Awareness – Acne can have a significant impact on self-esteem, social life, and mental health, making it a topic worth addressing. For those living in Central Florida’s humid subtropical climate, the hot and sticky weather often worsens acne, turning it into a persistent challenge. This is why acne positivity is so important. It’s about letting go of shame, learning to love your skin as it is, and shifting your perspective to be more positive and inclusive. While sweat alone doesn’t directly cause breakouts, it can create the perfect environment for acne-causing bacteria to thrive. Showering or rinsing with a gentle cleanser such as SteppieMD Flawless Skin Cleanser immediately after a workout helps remove sweat, dirt, and bacteria before they clog your pores.
• Address Common Acne Myths – Acne is often surrounded by myths that can make it harder to understand and manage the condition. A common myth is that acne is caused by poor hygiene: but in reality, acne results from clogged pores, hormonal shifts, and bacteria, not uncleanliness. Over-washing your skin can even irritate it and make acne worse. Another widespread belief is that acne only affects teenagers. The truth is, people of all ages can experience breakouts, through hormonal changes during puberty that increase its prevalence. Similarly, while some foods may trigger breakouts for certain individuals, eating greasy or sugary foods doesn’t directly cause acne. Plus, flawless skin is the biggest myth as we’re all a work in progress.
• Affect All Skin Types at Any Age – Acne is a common skin condition that affects individuals of all skin types and is influenced by factors like genetics, hormones, stress, and even certain skincare products. For many, acne lasts several years, but often improving as they grow older. Nonetheless, many adults, and especially women, find themselves struggling with acne past their teenage years. According to John Hopkins Medicine, adult acne is no different from the acne that we usually associate with our teen years. While all skin types can experience acne, oily skin is particularly susceptible as excess oil provides a favorable environment for acne-causing bacteria to thrive. Clogged pores and inflammation leads to persistent breakouts.
• Encourage Healthy Habits – The root cause of acne lies in the sebaceous glands, which produce sebum, an oil that can clog pores when overproduced due to hormonal shifts, stress, UV exposure, or pollution. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as maintaining a consistent skincare routine and eating a balanced diet, can play a significant role in supporting acne treatments and promoting overall skin health. Managing acne effectively and preventing breakouts requires a combination of gentle skincare practices, the use of non-comedogenic and sun-protective products, and consistent adherence to prescribed treatments. Offering encouragement can help individuals stay motivated for healthier skin care.
• Empower Central FL Communities – While managing acne breakouts presents its own set of challenges, the mental toll can be even harder to deal with. The rise of the skin positivity movement has been a game-changer for communities by encouraging people to embrace their natural skin while providing support and education. Resources like professional advice, online articles, and community support groups gain traction, particularly during June’s Acne Awareness Month. While acne is often associated with teenagers, it’s not uncommon for adult acne breakouts to continue into a person’s 30s, 40s, 50s or during one’s elder years. Beyond medical advice, community support can be incredibly empowering.

While mild cases can often be managed with over-the-counter treatments, severe acne typically requires attention from a dermatology professional for an accurate acne diagnosis and treatment plan based on your skin's specific needs. Moreover, popping pimples is also strongly discouraged, as it can lead to inflammation, infection, and even scarring. Lastly, the idea that getting a tan will clear up acne is false. Tanning might temporarily make acne less noticeable, but it can exacerbate the condition and damage your skin in the long run. So, it’s important to debunk myths while encouraging people to embrace their skin.

How to Identify the Type of Acne You Have

 “While mild cases can generally be managed with over-the-counter products,” adds Dr. Steppie, “severe forms of acne may require medical intervention, such as topical treatments, antibiotics, or specific procedures. But, together these resources create an environment where people feel better equipped with the emotional resilience needed to tackle acne head-on.” Acne can be non-inflammatory and trigger outbreaks at various stages of life, but when blockages become infected, they often turn into inflammatory cases.

Non-Inflammatory Category of Acne

Non-inflammatory acne is typically the mildest type. It doesn’t cause swelling or discomfort but is still noticeable. This category includes lesions (comedo) that forms without pus-filled pimples or cysts. If left alone, the body’s immune system should naturally resolve the pimple, either reabsorbing the pus or draining it naturally over time. The healing process can take several days or more, depending on the pimple’s severity, but patience is the best course of action for maintaining healthy skin.

Common types of non-inflammatory acne lesions:

• Whiteheads –  Also known as closed comedones, whiteheads are common blemishes caused by clogged pores. These non-inflammatory lesions remain beneath the skin's surface, appearing as small, white or flesh-colored bumps. Though the skin around larger whiteheads may feel tighter or appear slightly wrinkled when raised, they typically do not lead to scarring.
• Blackheads – Blackheads (open comedones) are a common type of non-inflammatory acne that appear as small, dark bumps on the skin's surface. The dark center is not due to dirt but is a natural reaction involving the exposed sebum in the pore. Essentially, blackheads are whiteheads that have opened and come into contact with air, resulting in their characteristic look.

Aside from commercial treatments, simple home remedies and lifestyle changes can also help manage mild non-inflammatory acne. Keeping the skin hydrated, using gentle cleansers, applying broad spectrum sunscreen such as Infinity UV Defense 50+ or BB Cream SPF 30 to limit sun exposure, and washing with lukewarm water twice a day are all beneficial practices. When treating non-inflammatory acne, look for ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, or adapalene. It’s equally important to avoid picking or popping blemishes.

Inflammatory Category of Acne

Inflammatory acne is a more severe form of acne that often causes inflamed blemishes to appear on the face, chest, and back. This condition is more intense than non-inflammatory acne and can sometimes lead to complications like scarring or pitted skin. The severity of inflammatory acne can range from small bumps that respond to topical treatments to larger cysts that might require medical intervention. Persistent cases may need antibiotics or topical dapsone to reduce bacteria and inflammation.

Common types of non-inflammatory acne lesions:

• Papules:Acne papules are small, red, inflamed bumps that commonly appear as part of acne. Unlike pustules, they lack a pus-filled tip but are still noticeable and often tender to the touch. This inflammation is a response to bacteria, such as Propionibacterium acnes, and the immune cells that react to the infection in the clogged pore. The result is redness, swelling, and sometimes mild pain.
• Pustules:Pustules are a common symptom of inflammatory acne and appear as red, swollen, pus-filled bumps. They typically form when pores become clogged triggering the body’s immune response that sends white blood cells to the area and results in the formation of pus, its characteristic appearance. Topical treatments containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or sulfur can help dry out the lesions
• Nodular Acne: Nodular acne is one of the most severe forms of acne, characterized by large, firm, and painful bumps that develop deep beneath the skin's surface. Unlike typical pimples, nodules are solid masses that can be flesh-colored, pink, red, or even purple. Commonly found on the face, chest, and back, these lesions are painful and can also persist for extended periods.
• Cystic Acne:Cystic acne is also a severe form of acne, characterized by large, painful cysts that form deep beneath the skin's surface. It can be triggered by hormonal fluctuations during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, or by genetics, stress, and increased oil production. Treatments may include antibiotics, retinoids, azelaic acid, or medications for more severe cases.

If you’re experiencing inflammatory acne, consulting with a specialist is essential to minimize the impact. Addressing the problem early helps ensure your skin can heal effectively with the right care. While it may be tempting, keep your hands off and avoid squeezing or popping acne, as this can lead to scarring, infection, or increased inflammation, making the condition worse. Healthcare professionals often recommend prescription treatments like topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or antibiotics to reduce inflammation and clear the blemishes.

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Online platforms and social media have become spaces for destigmatizing acne, with individuals sharing unfiltered photos and personal stories to normalize what many experience. If you're unsure about your acne type or if your acne is severe or persistent, it's recommended to consult with Associates in Dermatology. They can accurately diagnose your acne and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan. Call 800-827-7546 today or schedule your appointment online at one of our sixteen Central Florida locations in Orlando, Altamonte Springs, Apopka, Celebration, Clermont, Davenport, Dr. Philips, Hunter's Creek, Kissimmee, Mount Dora, Ocoee, Poinciana, Sanford, or St. Cloud for an effective acne treatment plan.