Acne of all types accounted for almost 1 out of every 5 patient-visits in the private office practices of 50 board-certified dermatologists. In the 4,842 such visits, the female to male ratio was about 2:1. Patients aged 14 through 17 accounted for 40% of the total.
The over-all ratio of total visits to initial visits was 7:2. The highest such ratio occurred among male patients aged 16 through 19. Males may wait until their acne is very severe before coming to the dermatologist for treatment. The female ratio was a much more constant one at all ages.
The use of x-radiation occurred in 26% of all acne patient-visits and began in significant frequency at ages 14 and 15. It reached its peak at ages 18 and 19. In 30% of all acne patient-visits, the participating dermatologists checked "x-ray not customarily used in this diagnosis." This number exceeded the number which were treated with x-radiation.
From ages 14 through 18 the percentage of patient-visits in which x-ray was not used because patient was "too young" dropped from 63 to 0.
It was found that apprehension about being treated with x-radiation occurred in 2.4% of the acne patient-visits.