Acne Treatment
in Libertyville, IL
What is acne?
As one of the most common skin disorders, acne is an inflammatory skin condition that affects the skin’s hair follicles and oil glands. The acne symptoms you develop are determined by the type of acne you have, and it can form on many areas of the body, including your face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders. While some people may have only mild whiteheads or blackheads, others may develop large, painful lumps that form deep under the skin.
Acne affects up to 50 million people in the United States each year. Most people develop acne symptoms as teenagers, but it can also develop in adulthood. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) estimates that 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 have at least minor acne.
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An Everyday Guide to Acne
Download BrochureWhat are the types of acne?
Acne is categorized as either non-inflammatory or inflammatory, and the two categories contain six different subtypes of acne: whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, cysts, and nodules. It’s common for people to have multiple types of acne at the same time.
Non-inflammatory acne
- Whiteheads: Also called closed comedones, whiteheads form when pores are clogged by dead skin cells and oil. They’re closed at the surface of the skin and appear as a small white bump. Because whiteheads can’t be removed by squeezing them, you shouldn’t try to pop them, which can damage your skin and possibly lead to scarring.
- Blackheads: Also caused by clogged pores, blackheads are known as open comedones because the top of the pore stays open. Because the rest of the pore is clogged, blackheads appear as small black dots at the surface of the skin. Although you can remove a blackhead by squeezing it, this isn’t recommended by dermatologists because it can cause scarring.
Inflammatory acne
Papules: Appearing as small red bumps that are tender to the touch, papules occur when comedones become inflamed and bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells get trapped under the surface of the skin. It’s common for papules to cluster together, creating an appearance similar to a rash. You should never try to squeeze papules, however, because it can worsen the inflammation and cause scarring.
Pustules: While they’re similar in appearance to papules, pustules instead contain pus, which creates a bulging white or yellow bump at the surface of the skin. Only your dermatologist can drain pustules, as attempting to squeeze them can lead to dark spots on the skin and cause the bacteria to spread.
Nodules: Appearing as large, hard bumps, nodules develop deep within the skin and are usually quite painful. They form when bacteria travel deep into the pore and cause an infection.
Cysts: Cysts are considered severe acne and appear as large, red lesions filled with pus, similar in appearance to boils. Often quite painful, cysts are caused by an infection deep under the skin, and they also have the largest risk of permanent scarring compared with other types of acne.
How Is Acne Treated?
Acne treatment varies for each person and depends on the type of acne you have and its severity. If you have whiteheads or blackheads, your dermatologist may recommend products containing salicylic acid or topical retinoids derived from vitamin A, such as tretinoin (Retin-A) or adapalene (Differin). Treatments containing these ingredients work by exfoliating the skin and encouraging cell turnover, removing dead skin cells before they can clog your pores. If you have multiple whiteheads in one spot, you can also use an acne spot treatment containing benzoyl peroxide.
If you have pimples and blemishes, your dermatologist may recommend products containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid for acne treatment. These products are usually applied to your entire face, although some are designed for acne spot treatment. In addition to fighting inflammation and controlling oil production, products with these ingredients can treat existing acne and prevent new blemishes from forming.
For larger pustules and papules, your dermatologist will likely prescribe an acne medication, such as an oral antibiotic, to treat bacteria and soothe inflammation.
This is especially helpful if you have acne on other parts of your body, such as your back, chest, or neck, since widespread acne is easier to treat with prescription medication. Products containing benzoyl peroxide can also be an effective acne treatment for pustules and papules.
Severe acne, such as nodules and cysts, can only be treated by a dermatologist and a prescription acne medication. Many dermatologists prescribe isotretinoin for people who have nodules and cysts. This is an oral retinoid that inhibits the growth of bacteria, reduces oil products, and soothes inflamed skin, helping it heal.
Since hormones also play a role in the development of acne, especially for women, your doctor may prescribe birth control pills to control and treat acne. Research has shown that birth control pills are just as effective as oral antibiotics for treating acne in women.
Skin Care Tips for Managing and Preventing Acne
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Make sure to wash your face every morning and night using a mild cleanser recommended by your dermatologist.
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Avoid using harsh scrubs or astringents, which can irritate and dry out your skin, causing your acne to worsen.
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Washing your face no more than twice each day can help remove oil, sweat, and debris that can clog your pores and promote acne development.
In addition to increasing your risk of skin cancer, the sun also can aggravate acne. Be sure to protect your skin from the sun and apply an oil-free sunscreen every day. This is especially important, since some acne treatments make your skin more susceptible to damage from the sun.
Make sure you’re consistently using your prescription or over-the-counter treatments. According to the AAD, it can take four to six weeks before you start seeing signs of improvement from topical treatments. Applying topical treatments consistently is crucial to treating and preventing acne.
Avoid the urge to pop or squeeze pimples. In most cases, this forces the bacteria even deeper into your skin, leading to increased inflammation, scarring, and even an infection.
Research has shown that stress has an effect on acne, so it’s important to manage your stress levels.
2 Locations in the Libertyville, IL area
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