How severe is my acne?

Common questions

How is acne severity normally graded?

Clinicians look at lesion type, how many there are, how much of the face is involved, and whether there is scarring. This test asks about the same four things, but a real grading is done in person and can distinguish acne from conditions that resemble it.

What counts as severe acne?

Deep nodules or cysts, pain without touching the skin, widespread involvement beyond the face, or any scarring. Scarring is the one that makes severity time-sensitive — treating it earlier is what prevents permanent marks.

Is this a diagnosis?

No. It is an educational self-assessment. Several conditions look like acne, including rosacea and folliculitis, and only a clinician can tell them apart.

When should I see a dermatologist?

If your acne is painful, scarring, widespread, has not responded to over-the-counter products after about twelve weeks, or is affecting how you feel day to day. Any of those is reason enough at any severity band.

How long before a treatment shows results?

Skin turnover is slow. Most acne treatments need eight to twelve weeks before you can fairly judge them, and many cause an initial worsening. Changing several products at once makes it impossible to tell which one did anything.

SkinPal AI is a cosmetic skincare tracking and education tool. It is not a medical device and does not diagnose, predict, prevent, or treat skin conditions.