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Affecting 40 to 50 million Americans, acne is the most common skin condition in the United States.
While it occurs most often in teens and young adults, acne does not discriminate. Newborns, children and even menopausal women can get acne. Virtually everyone living with acne can achieve clearer skin. Medical advances have been made to include well-known treatments and new treatments.
What is Acne?
It is a common misconception to believe that acne only includes pimples. Acne can also include:
- Blackheads (open comedones)
- Whiteheads (closed comedones)
- Papules (red bumps)
- Pustules (red bumps with white centers, what many people call pimples)
- Cysts
- Nodules
Acne can show up on the face, chest, back, shoulders, neck and upper arms.
What Causes Acne?
An extremely common diagnosis, nearly 75% of all adolescents experience acne at some point. A person can be more at-risk for developing acne if they are genetically predisposed. Acne will first appear when pores clog. The clog begins with dead skin cells.
Typically, dead skin cells are shed daily. Normal skin also naturally creates sebum, which is a critical oil that helps our skin from drying out. When sebum production is increased during life phases, the extra oil can cause dead cells to stick together, trapping them in pores. Within pores, bacteria have the ultimate environment for multiplying quickly, especially if there is excessive oil. The perfect storm of bacteria and oil within the pore is irritating to surrounding skin and becomes inflamed. This can cause an acne cyst or nodule to form.
While acne affects mostly teenagers, and almost all teenagers have some form of acne, adults of any age can have it.
How is Acne Treated?
Our dermatologists tailor acne treatment toward each patient. To best treat your specific case, you may need more than one treatment. This is called combination therapy and may yield the best results.
Some of the most common treatments for acne include the use of:
- Topical creams and gel
- Antibiotics
- Medications
- Oral contraceptive pills
- Procedure-based treatments
Your dermatologist will counsel you on what will work best for your specific case.
How Can Acne Scars be Treated?
Once your acne is being treated and is under control, your dermatologist can begin treatment on any acne scars that you may have. They use lasers, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, fillers, and other procedures to lessen the appearance of acne scars. A successful outcome often is born from a customized treatment plan.
Schedule an Appointment with One of Our Certified Dermatologists Today
The longer that you wait to address your acne, the longer that you delay correcting it. We understand how uncomfortable acne can be, and we want to help. Use the buttons below to find a clinician or location near you that treats acne.