Acne (or acne vulgaris) is one of those conditions that's experienced by everyone in some form. While a lot of concerns that most people may have about acne are cosmetic, even mild acne has the potential to develop into severe complications if left untreated. That's why we always advise our patients to begin with a treatment option to manage inflammatory acne before it gets worse.
Because acne can appear at any stage of your life, it's important to have a treatment option that can accommodate your needs. Severe acne requires different treatments from mild acne, and if you want to avoid an acne scar, getting the right type of treatment works best for your needs.
Aside from good skincare, acne treatments are crucial to preventing any further damage to your skin cells in the future. Acne-prone skin is particularly at risk for developing conditions that can result in dead skin or stunted hair follicle growth. With medical acne treatments, you can get the right topical treatment to avoid any further complications with your condition.
It's even more important to get spot treatment for acne lesions since they can be potential entry points for more dangerous organisms like bacteria to breach the layer of your skin. Because the skin is the first line of defense against foreign objects to your body, getting treatment for acne can help you live a healthier life.
At Dermatology & Skin Health, we offer world-class services done by award-winning doctors who have proven their knowledge and skills in this field. Start your journey towards achieving your best skin by contacting us today.
While acne is a near-universal condition that almost everyone will experience at some point in their life, there are different types of acne that you can get. These pimples can be present in all types of acne, though mild to moderate acne may have significantly easier to manage breakouts.
Inflammatory acne is a type of acne where the pores are clogged with either oil, dirt, or even bacteria - which causes severe acne that leads to acne scarring. These types of acne often need significant medical treatment to avoid any dead skin cells from being infected.
Inflammatory lesions need to be treated immediately since they can spread and cause acne scars across the surface of your skin. While it's tempting to use OTC medications to take care of these acne types, sometimes you'll need something stronger like topical antibiotics.
Comedonal acne is more frequent and usually occurs when your pore has been blocked by oil or dead skin cells. These types of acne are easily treated with OTC medications, though patients with sensitive skin may opt for medical treatments.
Whiteheads: closed pimples under the surface of the skin
Blackheads: open pimples at the surface of your skin
Comedonal acne is fairly easy to manage by yourself, though we still recommend getting a checkup especially if you've been getting them more frequently, or starting to get them in more areas.
For adults, managing acne can be a confusing thing since it's usually seen as an issue only younger people have. However, the truth is that our skin can get exposed to far more irritants as an adult - and without the quick regenerative ability of younger skin cells.
Acne treatments for adults usually rely on the following changes:
Since your skin is older, it's more likely to tolerate aggressive treatments for cases of moderate to severe acne. However, you should always consult with a medical professional before trying these solutions.
At Dermatology & Skin Health, our excellent dermatology services are guaranteed to be safe and effective, performed by the top doctors in their respective fields. Treat your skin problems by contacting us today.
Acne is far more common for teens and young adults growing up, as their body's hormonal changes kick their skin into overdrive. Younger patients generally have an easier time dealing with acne since their skin can recover better but don't really have access to more aggressive treatment options.
Acne treatment for younger patients usually relies on the following changes:
Younger patients generally have an easier time managing their acne even without aggressive medications. In most cases, all they need to do is to keep their skin healthy and wait until their hormonal changes are over.
Since acne is a fairly common problem across the world, there are plenty of different treatment options for managing it.
For cases of severe acne, oral antibiotics or topical treatments like benzoyl peroxide have proven to be effective at managing the symptoms short and long-term. Infusions of vitamin A have also seen some success, but should never be administered without the oversight of a trained medical expert.
Less severe cases of acne respond well to topical antibiotics like erythromycin or to products that contain retinol. By keeping the skin clear and your pore free of any clogging debris, you'll be able to get acne-free skin consistently with long-term results.
Chemical peels and products like salicylic acid can manage cases of mild acne by peeling off the surface layer of the skin. This removes any buildup of oil, dead skin cells, and other debris away from the pore. They're also very effective as spot treatments.
Using lasers and light therapy are excellent ways to help manage inflammatory acne and prevent acne scarring. Phototherapy treatments are fairly non-invasive and can be used on most patients, while non-ablative laser treatments can help heal areas that have acne scars.
As providers of medical skincare, DSH understands the work that comes into managing conditions like acne. Aside from the cosmetic concerns, severe acne can be painful and cause acne scarring, which can be difficult to manage and remove without medical intervention. That's why we strive to become a trusted healthcare partner for all our patients.
At Dermatology & Skin Health, we offer world-class services done by award-winning doctors who have proven their knowledge and skills in this field. Start your journey towards achieving your best skin by contacting us today.
A: At-home treatments for acne will have different results based on how aggressive your acne problem is. Cases of mild acne will often respond well to OTC medications and at-home remedies, but more severe cases will need medical treatment and intervention to avoid them from spreading or getting worse.
A: After your dermatologist has diagnosed the severity of your acne, they may recommend one or several clinical treatments and prescriptions to help you manage your symptoms. The key to these treatments is being consistent with your treatments for long-term results.
A: Ideally, the medical intervention of acne symptoms should clear up your acne within a few weeks to a few months of your initial treatment. While there's no long-term cure for acne, your dermatologist/doctor should be able to give you some ideas or a routine to follow on how to prevent any similar flare-ups in the future.
A: If your acne treatment involves medical procedures like laser therapy, phototherapy, or clinical facials, your provider will likely have clauses that can cover most of the costs of these treatments. Acne treatments that rely on OTC medications can be more difficult to reimburse, as these are usually classified as cosmetic solutions.
If you have any questions about acne treatments, acne medication, or any other treatment option for sensitive skin, schedule a consultation with us today. We have a variety of treatments and services that can help you look and feel like yourself again. To get started, schedule your consultation online, or give us a call at (603) 742-5556 (Dover & Newington), (978) 525-0100 (Peabody), (603) 965-3551 (Londonderry), (603) 742-5556 (Bedford).
If your desired appointment type or preferred provider is unavailable online, kindly call (978) 525-0100 for Peabody, MA and (603) 742-5556 for all New Hampshire locations. Alternatively please feel free to send us your request via the patient portal, or via email at info@dermskinhealth.com
*For medical dermatology appointments in MA please dial (978) 525-0100 or fill out the appointment request form above.
