During the physical exam for acne, your doctor will check your skin, particularly the areas that are more prone to acne—face, neck, shoulders, chest, and back—and look for:

• Whiteheads and blackheads, pimples, or cystic lesions.
• Scars, or pimples that are more likely to leave scars.
• Unusual facial and body hair on women.

Your doctor may rate the degree of your acne from mild to severe. This rating may help doctors choose the best treatment for you and later may help measure your progress.