Acne

Acne is a common condition that affects 50 million Americans each year - and up to 85% of teenagers will experience acne. Acne is highly treatable, especially when treatment begins early, so do not hesitate to make an appointment for evaluation!

We offer comprehensive acne evaluations and customized treatment plans. Treatments include topical therapy, oral therapy, and lifestyle counseling, along with complementary and alternative methods of acne control. Treating acne early can prevent scarring and decreased self esteem and can provide clear skin for many years.

What is acne?

cne is a common skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Most acne happens on the face, but acne can also be seen on the neck, chest, back and arms. Acne can cause significant emotional distress and if left untreated, can result in scarring.

Acne usually appears as whiteheads and blackheads, which are caused by oil plugging the hair follicle. Acne can also appear as red, painful bumps on the surface of the skin or cysts that are under skin. Acne can also appear in patterns, such as along the jawline, across the forehead, or mainly on the back and chest.

Acne can also be seen alongside other conditions such as folliculitis, milia, and many others. An experienced dermatologist can help to tell the difference and treat all of these correctly.

Types of acne

There are four common types of acne

1. Comedonal acne. Comedonal acne consists of blackheads and whiteheads. Blackheads are caused by open pores that are plugged with oil while whiteheads are caused by closed pores that are plugged with oil.

2. Inflammatory acne. Inflammatory acne occurs when oil is trapped in the hair follicle and becomes inflamed. Inflammatory acne is red and can be painful and may not always come to a head. These may leave scars if not treated.

3. Cystic acne. Cystic acne occurs when oil is trapped in the deeper parts of the hair follicle and forms a tender swollen lump under the skin. These usually do not come to a head and can cause scarring if not treated.

4. Scarring acne. Scarring acne appears as deep, swollen, painful, sometimes draining lumps under the skin. It can leave behind deep scars that may be interconnected across the skin.

What causes acne?

Acne is a common condition and is caused by a few different things:

• Overproduction of oil.

• Increased shedding of skin cells that plug the oil gland.

• Buildup of bacteria and debris

• Skin inflammation

• Hormone fluctuations

• Genetics

While it is not always possible to find a root case of acne, it is important to address lifestyle factors when evaluating and treating acne. Food choices, exercise habits, and personal care habits can all influence acne, as can underlying health conditions and medications. A comprehensive acne evaluation can help to determine some causes of acne.

How do dermatologists treat acne?

With everything we’ve got!

Dermatologists treat acne by starting with a comprehensive evaluation of lifestyle factors, underlying conditions. We then review any medications that have already been used and assess how severe the acne is. Based on all of this, we determine a personalized treatment plan that may include some or all of the following.

• Lifestyle recommendations

• Over the counter products such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to reduce inflammation

• Prescription creams: tretinoin to reduce oil production and topical antibiotics to reduce inflammation.

• Prescription oral medications, including isotretinoin

• Chemical peels: salicylic and glycolic acid peels to complement other therapies.

Acne treatment is an important part of dermatology care. Dr. Krishna enjoys comprehensive acne evaluations and formulating personalized treatment plans that fit each person’s needs. Please make an appointment below to discuss your care!