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Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. Although it’s common, accurate information about acne can be scarce. This can make it difficult to get clearer skin. The information on this site can help you understand acne and how to successfully treat it.
Why should I have my acne treated
Myths about acne are as common as the skin problem. One common myth is that you have to let acne run its course. Dermatologists know that letting acne runs its course is not always the best advice.
Here’s why:
- Without treatment, dark spots and permanent scars can appear on the skin as acne clears.
- Treating acne often boosts a person’s self-esteem.
- Many effective treatments are available.
What to expect
To diagnose acne, a dermatologist will first examine your skin to make sure you have acne. Other skin conditions can look like acne. If you have acne, the dermatologist will:
- Grade the acne. Grade 1 is mild acne. Grade 4 is severe acne.
- Note what type, or types, of acne appear on your skin.
Today, there are many effective acne treatments. This does not mean that every acne treatment works for everyone who has acne. But it does mean that virtually every case of acne can be controlled. Despite the claims, acne treatment does not work overnight. At-home treatment requires 4-8 weeks to see improvement. Once acne clears, you must continue to treat the skin to prevent breakouts.
People who have mild acne have a few blemishes. They may have whiteheads, blackheads, papules, and/or pustules (aka pimples). Many people can treat mild acne with products that you can buy without a prescription. A product containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid often clears the skin. This does not mean that the acne will clear overnight.
If you have a lot of acne, cysts, or nodules, a medicine that you can buy without a prescription may not work. If you want to see clearer skin, you should see a dermatologist.
Dermatologists offer the following types of treatment:
Acne treatment that you apply to the skin
Most acne treatments are applied to the skin. Your dermatologist may call this topical treatment. There are many topical acne treatments. Some topicals help kill the bacteria. Others work on reducing the oil. The topical medicine may contain a retinoid, prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide, antibiotic, or even salicylic acid. Your dermatologist will determine what you need.
Acne treatment that works throughout the body
Medicine that works throughout the body may be necessary when you have red, swollen types of acne. This type of treatment is usually necessary to treat acne cysts and nodules. Your dermatologist may prescribe one or more of these:
- Antibiotics
- Birth control pills and other medicine that works on hormones
- Isotretinoin
Procedures that treat acne
Your dermatologist may treat your acne with a procedure that can be performed during an office visit. These treatments include:
- Lasers and other light therapies: These devices reduce the p. acnes bacteria. Your dermatologist can determine whether this type of treatment can be helpful.
- Chemical peels: You cannot buy the chemical peels that dermatologists use. Dermatologists use chemical peels to treat 2 types of acne — blackheads and papules.
- Acne removal: Your dermatologist may perform a procedure called “drainage and extraction” to remove a large acne cyst. This procedure helps when the cyst does not respond to medicine. It also helps ease the pain and the chance that the cyst will leave a scar. If you absolutely have to get rid of a cyst quickly, your dermatologist may inject the cyst with medicine.
Outcome
Waiting for acne to clear on its own can be frustrating. Without treatment, acne can cause permanent scars, low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety.
To avoid these possible outcomes, dermatologists recommend that people treat acne. When the skin clears, treatment should continue. Treatment prevents new breakouts. Your dermatologist can tell you when you no longer need to treat acne to prevent breakouts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eliminate Acne:
Click on a question below to see the answer.
Q: What should I do if my acne is getting worse?
A: If you suddenly find your acne getting worse then you’ve come to the right place. We can recommend you skincare products, do laser treatment, chemical peeling or drainage and extraction.
Q: Does stress cause acne?
A: While it is hard to say that stress is a cause of acne it is widely known that stress can aggravate acne but given the right strategy there is no reason why it should be an uncontrollable problem. There are some simple things you can do to help clear up your skin just through managing stress before seeking out other acne treatments
Q: Does makeup worsen acne?
A: Unfortunately, makeup can cause acne and may make blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and inflammation worse. Like other non-cleansing products applied to the skin, makeup can clog skin pores. Oil prone areas such as the forehead, nose or chin are particularly susceptible, especially when excess concealers or powders are used to cover them.
Q: Adult Acne Women: Can birth control pills help treat acne?
A: For many adult acne sufferers, birth control pills, otherwise known as oral contraceptives, can be extremely effective as an ace treatment. However, they are normally only recommended after all other treatments such as prescription medications have failed and after extensive consultation with a doctor.
