Acne can be a devastating disease. In an ironic quirk, it occurs at a time of life when personal appearance is of prime concern and when self-consciousness is at its peak. Although some young people appear to be more affected psychologically by acne than others, no one is comfortable with it.[9] [10] Patients who have severe cystic acne may be socially ostracized. Regardless of the acne's severity, the condition is important to the patient who is seeking help and deserves serious attention. Patients are not impressed with advice that trivializes their disease and reassures them that they eventually will outgrow it. Fortunately, a wide array of medical therapies are available that can produce effective, gratifying results.