ACNE
Acne is a skin condition which has plugged pores
(blackheads and whiteheads), inflamed pimples (pustules),
and deeper lumps (nodules). Acne occurs on the face, as
well as the neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms.
Although most teenagers get some form of acne, adults in
their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, or even older, can develop acne. Often,
acne clears up after several years, even without treatment.
Acne can be disfiguring and upsetting to the patient.
Untreated acne can leave permanent scars; these may be
treated by your dermatologist in the future. To avoid acne
scarring, treating acne is important.
Types of Acne and How Acne Forms
Acne is not caused by dirt. Testosterone, a hormone
which is present in both males and females, increases during
adolescence (puberty). It stimulates the sebaceous
glands of the skin to enlarge, produce oil, and plug the pores.
Whiteheads (closed comedones), blackheads (open comedones),
and pimples (pustules) are present in teenage acne.
Early-age acne occurs before the first onset of menstruation
and is called prepubertal acne. When acne is severe and
forms deep “pus-filled” lumps, it is called cystic acne. This
may be more common in males.
Adult acne develops later in life and may be related to
hormones, childbirth, menopause or stopping the pill. Adult
women may be treated at menstruation and ovulation when
acne is especially severe, or throughout the entire cycle.
Topicals
Your Water’s Edge Dermatology practitioner may prescribe
topical creams, gels, or lotions with vitamin A acid-like drugs,
benzoyl peroxide, or antibiotics to help unblock the pores
and reduce bacteria. Before starting any medication, even
topical medications, inform your practitioner if you are
pregnant or nursing, or if you are trying to become pregnant.
Special Treatments
Acne surgery may be used by
your Water's Edge Dermatology Practitioner to remove
blackheads, and whiteheads. Do not pick, scratch, pop, or
squeeze pimples yourself. When the pimples are squeezed, more
redness, swelling, inflammation, and scarring may result.
Microdermabrasion may be used to remove the upper layers
of the skin improving irregularities in the surface, contour,
and generating new skin. Light chemical peels with salicylic acid
or glycolic acid help to unblock the pores, open the blackheads
and whiteheads, and stimulate new skin growth.
Injections of corticosteroids may be used for treating large
red bumps (nodules). This may help them go away quickly.
Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills may significantly improve acne, and may
be used specifically for the treatment of acne. It is also
important to know that oral antibiotics may decrease the
effectiveness of birth control pills. This is uncommon, but
possible, especially if you notice break-through bleeding. As
a precaution, use a second form of birth control.
Cleansing
Acne has nothing to do with not washing your face.
However, it is best to wash your face with a mild cleanser
and warm water daily.
Diet
Acne is not caused by foods. However, if certain foods seem
to make your acne worse, try to avoid them.
Cosmetics
Wear as little cosmetics as possible. Oil-free, water-based
moisturizers and make-up should be used.
A flesh-tinted acne lotion containing acne medications can
safely hide blemishes. Loose powder in combination with an
oil-free foundation is also good cover-up. Shield your face
when applying sprays and gels on your hair.
Treatment
Control of acne is an ongoing process. All acne treatments
work by preventing new acne breakouts. Existing blemishes
must heal on their own, therefore, improvement takes time. If
your acne has not improved within two to three months, your
treatment may need to be changed.
Occasionally, an acne-like rash can be due to another
cause such as make-up or lotions, or from oral medication.
It is important to help your Water’s Edge Dermatology
practitioner by providing an updated history of what you
are using on your skin or taking internally.
Many non-prescription acne lotions and creams help mild
cases of acne. However, many will also make your skin dry.
Follow instructions carefully. Oral antibiotics taken by mouth
such as tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline,
or erythromycin are often prescribed.
Other Treatments
In cases of unresponsive or severe acne, isotretinoin may be used.
Patients using isotretinoin must understand the side
effects of this drug. Monitoring with frequent follow-up visits
is necessary. Pregnancy must be prevented while taking the
medication, since the drug causes birth defects.
Women may also use female hormones or medications that
decrease the effects of male hormones to help their acne.
Photodynamic therapy using the blue wavelength of light can
be helpful in treating acne as well.
Treatment of Acne Scarring
Your Water's Edge Dermatology practitioner can treat acne scars
by a variety of methods. Skin resurfacing with laser, dermabrasion,
chemical peels, or electrosurgery can flatten depressed scars. Soft
tissue elevation with collagen or fat-filling products can
elevate scars. Scar revision with a microexcision and the
punch grafting technique can correct pitted scars, and
combinations of these dermatologic surgical treatments can
make noticeable differences in appearance.
Proper Care is Necessary
No matter what special treatments your Water’s Edge
Dermatology practitioner may use, remember that you
must continue proper skin care. Acne is not curable, but it is
controllable; proper treatment helps you to feel and look
better and may prevent scars.
Moderate Acne Severe Acne
Acne is a skin condition which has plugged pores
(blackheads and whiteheads), inflamed pimples (pustules),
and deeper lumps (nodules). Acne occurs on the face, as
well as the neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms.
Although most teenagers get some form of acne, adults in
their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, or even older, can develop acne. Often,
acne clears up after several years, even without treatment.
Acne can be disfiguring and upsetting to the patient.
Untreated acne can leave permanent scars; these may be
treated by your dermatologist in the future. To avoid acne
scarring, treating acne is important.
Types of Acne and How Acne Forms
Acne is not caused by dirt. Testosterone, a hormone
which is present in both males and females, increases during
adolescence (puberty). It stimulates the sebaceous
glands of the skin to enlarge, produce oil, and plug the pores.
Whiteheads (closed comedones), blackheads (open comedones),
and pimples (pustules) are present in teenage acne.
Early-age acne occurs before the first onset of menstruation
and is called prepubertal acne. When acne is severe and
forms deep “pus-filled” lumps, it is called cystic acne. This
may be more common in males.
Adult acne develops later in life and may be related to
hormones, childbirth, menopause or stopping the pill. Adult
women may be treated at menstruation and ovulation when
acne is especially severe, or throughout the entire cycle.
Topicals
Your Water’s Edge Dermatology practitioner may prescribe
topical creams, gels, or lotions with vitamin A acid-like drugs,
benzoyl peroxide, or antibiotics to help unblock the pores
and reduce bacteria. Before starting any medication, even
topical medications, inform your practitioner if you are
pregnant or nursing, or if you are trying to become pregnant.
Special Treatments
Acne surgery may be used by
your Water's Edge Dermatology Practitioner to remove
blackheads, and whiteheads. Do not pick, scratch, pop, or
squeeze pimples yourself. When the pimples are squeezed, more
redness, swelling, inflammation, and scarring may result.
Microdermabrasion may be used to remove the upper layers
of the skin improving irregularities in the surface, contour,
and generating new skin. Light chemical peels with salicylic acid
or glycolic acid help to unblock the pores, open the blackheads
and whiteheads, and stimulate new skin growth.
Injections of corticosteroids may be used for treating large
red bumps (nodules). This may help them go away quickly.
Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills may significantly improve acne, and may
be used specifically for the treatment of acne. It is also
important to know that oral antibiotics may decrease the
effectiveness of birth control pills. This is uncommon, but
possible, especially if you notice break-through bleeding. As
a precaution, use a second form of birth control.
Cleansing
Acne has nothing to do with not washing your face.
However, it is best to wash your face with a mild cleanser
and warm water daily.
Diet
Acne is not caused by foods. However, if certain foods seem
to make your acne worse, try to avoid them.
Cosmetics
Wear as little cosmetics as possible. Oil-free, water-based
moisturizers and make-up should be used.
A flesh-tinted acne lotion containing acne medications can
safely hide blemishes. Loose powder in combination with an
oil-free foundation is also good cover-up. Shield your face
when applying sprays and gels on your hair.
Treatment
Control of acne is an ongoing process. All acne treatments
work by preventing new acne breakouts. Existing blemishes
must heal on their own, therefore, improvement takes time. If
your acne has not improved within two to three months, your
treatment may need to be changed.
Occasionally, an acne-like rash can be due to another
cause such as make-up or lotions, or from oral medication.
It is important to help your Water’s Edge Dermatology
practitioner by providing an updated history of what you
are using on your skin or taking internally.
Many non-prescription acne lotions and creams help mild
cases of acne. However, many will also make your skin dry.
Follow instructions carefully. Oral antibiotics taken by mouth
such as tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline,
or erythromycin are often prescribed.
Other Treatments
In cases of unresponsive or severe acne, isotretinoin may be used.
Patients using isotretinoin must understand the side
effects of this drug. Monitoring with frequent follow-up visits
is necessary. Pregnancy must be prevented while taking the
medication, since the drug causes birth defects.
Women may also use female hormones or medications that
decrease the effects of male hormones to help their acne.
Photodynamic therapy using the blue wavelength of light can
be helpful in treating acne as well.
Treatment of Acne Scarring
Your Water's Edge Dermatology practitioner can treat acne scars
by a variety of methods. Skin resurfacing with laser, dermabrasion,
chemical peels, or electrosurgery can flatten depressed scars. Soft
tissue elevation with collagen or fat-filling products can
elevate scars. Scar revision with a microexcision and the
punch grafting technique can correct pitted scars, and
combinations of these dermatologic surgical treatments can
make noticeable differences in appearance.
Proper Care is Necessary
No matter what special treatments your Water’s Edge
Dermatology practitioner may use, remember that you
must continue proper skin care. Acne is not curable, but it is
controllable; proper treatment helps you to feel and look
better and may prevent scars.
Moderate Acne Severe Acne
