Acne Treatment

Acne

Acne need not be feared as something untreatable, nor simply endured stoically because “everybody knows it goes away at 21.” Dermatologists want to prevent scars that acne can leave. Years of untreated acne can leave a lifelong imprint on a person’s face and can have an effect on his or her self-image. While acne may not be curable, at least until adolescence is over, it is usually controllable. Although treatment does not always achieve perfect results, it is almost always helpful. Acne has many forms, and various treatments are available for its control. An individual approach to care and therapy is important in many instances. Thus, the course of therapy will vary according to such factors as type of acne, its severity and extent, and the patient’s day-to-day activities. Further, the dermatologist must find out first if the disorder truly is acne. Occasionally an eruption can look like acne but be due to another cause – such as contact with substances like cosmetics, perfumes, internal drugs, grooming aids, waxes or cleaning agents. Only your physician can correctly diagnose the condition. For more information on Acne Treatment, please call or e-mail at our Dallas, Texas office.

Overview of Acne Scars Treatment Procedure

Acne need not be feared as something untreatable, nor simply endured stoically because “everybody knows it goes away at 21.” Dermatologists want to prevent scars that acne can leave. Years of untreated acne can leave a lifelong imprint on a person’s face and can have an effect on his or her self-image. While acne may not be curable, at least until adolescence is over, it is usually controllable. Although treatment does not always achieve perfect results, it is almost always helpful.

Acne has many forms, and various treatments are available for its control. An individual approach to care and therapy is important in many instances. Thus, the course of therapy will vary according to such factors as type of acne, its severity and extent, and the patient’s day-to-day activities.

Further, the dermatologist must find out first if the disorder truly is acne. Occasionally an eruption can look like acne but be due to another cause – such as contact with substances like cosmetics, perfumes, internal drugs, grooming aids, waxes or cleaning agents. Only your physician can correctly diagnose the condition.

For more information on Acne Treatment, please call or e-mail at our Dallas, Texas office.

Acne FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What causes acne?
The causes of acne are linked to the changes that take place as young people mature from childhood to adolescence (puberty). The hormones that cause physical maturation also cause the sebaceous (oil) glands of the skin to produce more sebum (oil). The hormones with the greatest effect on sebaceous glands are androgens (male hormones), which are present in females as well as males, but in higher amounts in males.

Sebaceous glands are found together with a hair shaft in a unit called a sebaceous follicle. During puberty, the cells of the skin that line the follicle begin to shed more rapidly. In people who develop acne, cells shed and stick together more so than in people who do not develop acne. When cells mix with the increased amount of sebum being produced, they can plug the opening of the follicle. Meanwhile, the sebaceous glands continue to produce sebum, and the follicle swells up with sebum.

In addition, a normal skin bacteria called P. acnes, begins to multiply rapidly in the clogged hair follicle. In the process, these bacteria produce irritating substances that can cause inflammation. Sometimes, the wall of the follicle bursts, spreading inflammation to the surrounding skin. This is the process which acne lesions, from blackheads to pimples to nodules, are formed.

Is acne curable?
Acne is not curable but it can be controlled. If there were a cure for it your Doctor would have prescribed it for you by now.

How long will I suffer from acne?
Acne may last a lifetime. There are people well into their 50’s still suffering from acne. It is an illness that involves hormones and the production of too much oil in the skin. For the most part, acne may last a few months or just a few years, usually in the teen years.

I wash my face several times a day. Why do I still get acne?
Many people still believe that acne is caused by dirty skin. The truth is, washing alone will not clear up or prevent acne. Washing does, however, help remove excess surface oils and dead skin cells. Many people use all kinds of products, including alcohol-based cleansers, and scrub vigorously, only to irritate the skin further and worsen their acne. Washing the skin twice a day gently with water and a mild soap is usually all that is required. However, acne is actually caused by a variety of biologic factors that are beyond the control of washing. For that reason, you should use appropriate acne treatments for the acne.

Will eating lots of fruits and vegetables help to clear up my skin?
Everyone should have a well-balanced diet to maintain health. We have never seen any good data that suggests any will either worsen or improve acne.

Can I pick at my pimples?

Picking or squeezing your pimples will make them worse because of the risk of infection. Picking can cause inflammation and lead to scarring.

Will the sun help fix my acne?
The sun does not get rid of acne but small amounts may be beneficial. We recommend that if you suffer from acne, it is best to wear a hat at all times when in the sun and use the highest factor sunscreen available.

Does stress cause acne?
Stress is commonly blamed for the development of acne. Stress can have many physiologic effects on the body, including changes in hormones that may theoretically lead to acne. In some cases, the acne lesions may actually cause stress, not the other way around. If the acne is being treated effectively, stress is not likely to have much impact on the majority of people.

I suffer from Blackheads – how can I treat them?
Blackheads are a form of acne. These can be cleared by using agents that loosen the packed cells and sebum such as Retin-A and glycolic acid products. It is a slow process though.
I never had acne as a teenager. Why am I now getting acne as an adult?

Usually, acne begins at puberty and is gone by the early 20s. In some cases, acne may persist into adulthood. Such types of acne include severe forms that affect the body as well as the face (which afflict males more than females) and acne associated with the menstrual cycle in women. In other cases, acne may not present itself until adulthood. Such acne is more likely to affect females than males.

There are several reasons for this. As females get older, the pattern of changes in hormones may itself change, disposing sebaceous glands to develop acne. Ovarian cysts and pregnancy may also cause hormonal changes that lead to acne. Some women get acne when they discontinue birth control pills that have been keeping acne at bay. Sometimes young women may wear cosmetics that are comedogenic-that is, they can set up conditions that cause comedones to form.