Management of acne vulgaris: summary of NICE guidance

### What you need to know Acne vulgaris is the eighth most common disease globally, resulting in >70 000 patients being referred for specialist care in the UK each year.12 While acne vulgaris most often affects adolescents, it is not uncommon in adults and can occur in children. The clinical features vary depending on its severity and its associated psychological impact. Acne vulgaris may persist and lead to pigmentary changes and permanent scarring. This article summarises the guideline from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on the management of acne vulgaris.3 This guidance was developed with the aim to improve the management of acne vulgaris and reduce sequelae, with a clear framework of referral to more specialised services as appropriate. Throughout the summary and guideline, “acne” refers to acne vulgaris unless otherwise stated. ### How the guideline fits in practice