Millions of people of all ages suffer with acne. It not only impacts appearance, but it can also be a very uncomfortable experience for patients. People with acne tend to feel self-conscious or embarrassed by their appearance, causing them to lose confidence. Because everyone’s skin is different, acne treatments can vary significantly from patient to patient. We have years of experience diagnosing acne. Our skilled dermatologist, Dr. Doppelt, can develop a treatment plans that work for you based upon your unique skin type.
What Is Acne?
The cause of acne is clogged pores. When secretions from oil glands clog the hair follicles, whiteheads or blackheads appear on the surface of the skin. These comedones can become swollen or inflamed, causing them to turn into pimples or deep bumps.
Drug store shelves are filled with acne creams and lotions and by the time that we see many patients with acne, they have already unsuccessfully tried a host of these treatments. There many different ways to professionally treat acne, and in most cases a combination of methods works best.
Acne Treatments
- Changing your skin care regimen. Minor forms of acne can often be controlled with an improved skin care routine. Check out our blog on ways to stop breakouts before they happen.
- Topical medication. There are many effective creams and medications that can reduce acne spots including topical retinoids, azelaic acid, and even antibiotics.
- Oral medication. Certain antibiotics, and in some cases, birth control, can help.
- Microdermabrasion – Microdermabrasion eliminates top layers of dead skin through tiny, exfoliating crystals. When received regularly, it can be a very effective treatment for reducing the appearance of acne and acne scars as well as evening out skin tone for a more youthful appearance.
- Chemical peels. Chemical peels utilize a solution to remove the upper layers of dead or damaged skin. Superficial chemical peels require very little downtime and can rejuvenate the skin by improving texture and eliminating acne.
If you are currently dealing with acne, or even acne scarring, call Southeastern Dermatology today at (865) 474-8800 to set up a consultation or schedule an appointment online.
