Acne Treatment
Acne is a genetic skin disorder that can have devastating physical and psychological effects. Acne happens due to a common bacteria, Proprionibacterium acnes (P.acnes), that lives inside glands within the skin. Different bumps may form on the face due to blockage, excess sebum, and inflammation.
Acne can be embarrassing. However, at the Dermatologic Surgery Center in Medina, Ohio, we have treatments to help you! Maintaining clear skin is possible. During your consultation, our staff, headed by Jennifer L. Popovsky, will address your acne needs and personalize a treatment plan for you. Here are some facts about acne.
Acne Types
Not all acne is the same. In order of increasing severity, acne vulgaris is first (least severe), acne fulminans is second and acne conglobata is third (most severe). In order to understand acne, it is important to understand the physical structure of the skin, or rather the glands and follicles inside it. We will discuss acne vulgaris, the most common form.
Acne Vulgaris
Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease characterized by inflammation and/or blockage within the pilosebaceous units. These units include hair follicles and their subaceous gland, or the place that secretes oil to lubricate hair and skin. Bumps may concentrate in areas with more oil, such as the chin and forehead. Here are the causes of acne:
Causes of Acne
Blockage
Acne may occur when excess skin cells block the hair follicle, so the gland accumulates stuff. That stuff includes protein, sebum, and bacteria. Basically, excess skin cells accumulate near the top of the hair follicle, so everything inside the subaceous gland cannot dislodge. This accumulation results in the formation of a whitehead or blackhead.
Excess Sebum
Another cause of acne is excess sebum production. Sebum is hair and skin’s natural moisturizer. If you are prone to acne, you probably have higher sebum production. Combined with the presence of P.acnes, sebum breaks down into free fatty acids. In short, these acids clump together, create inflammation and promote more P. acnes growth.
Inflammation
The third cause of acne is inflammation. Not all acne has inflammation–blockage also creates acne (as discussed). Inflammation can do a lot of damage to the skin’s appearance, leading to scars. It can rupture/break the skin.
P. acnes Bacteria
The fourth, and perhaps most characteristic feature of acne, is the presence of P. acnes bacteria. Like sebum, people prone to acne tend to have more of this bacteria. P. acnes lives in the gland. It does not like oxygen much, which is perhaps why people conventionally fight acne through “popping pimples,” a method of introducing oxygen. However, this method often reintroduces other bacteria and can scar the skin.
Besides blockage, excess oil, inflammation, and bacteria, acne may flare up due to dietary choices, such as dairy consumption. Future research on the role of diet is necessary.
Acne Treatments
Enough with the factors causing acne. DSC is here to help you get rid of it. We offer several different treatments for acne. We may prescribe a retinoid cream, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, and/or salicylic or glycolic acid. These may vary in topical or oral form, especially the antibiotics. If you have more severe acne, you may get birth control pills.
We also offer micro-needling for acne scars. Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, can stimulate new collagen that can conceal your scars.
Depending on the severity of your acne, we recommend personalized treatment.
Treat Your Acne Today
Remember: Acne is common, and you should not feel ugly or ashamed with it. Schedule an appointment at DSC in Medina, Ohio to manage your acne today.