Acne

What is acne?

Acne is a skin disorder occurring when your hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells and oil. Acne typically appears on your:

• Face
• Neck
• Shoulders
• Back
• Chest

Without treatment, acne tends to heal slowly. When one pimple or bump begins to fade, others usually appear. Severe cases of acne can lead to emotional distress and physical scarring. Seeking treatment early can decrease your risk of succumbing to lasting emotional and physical damage.

What are the symptoms of acne?

The signs of acne differ based on the severity of your case. Seeing whiteheads, blackheads, and small, red, and tender bumps is common. Whiteheads are closed, clogged pores while blackheads are open, clogged pores. You may also have red bumps with pus located at their tips. In addition to bumps, you can have painful lumps beneath the surface of your skin. When these lumps are filled with pus, they’re referred to as cystic lesions.

What causes acne?

Genetics is the main cause of acne. People possessing an excessive amount of oil glands are more prone to suffer from acne. Adolescents frequently get acne due to androgens -- hormones that become elevated during puberty, enlarge the sebaceous glands and cause them to manufacture more sebum. Dead skin cells, clogged pores, bacteria, certain types of medications, stress, and diet can also contribute to the development of acne. Dairy products, carbohydrates, and chocolate are all thought to trigger acne outbreaks.

How is acne treated?

Dr. Shaw can help you control your acne and avoid scarring and other damage to your skin. Depending on the type and severity of your acne, Dr. Shaw might recommend:

• Topical medicines
• Oral medications
• Laser therapy
• Chemical peels
• Facials with or without extractions
• Skin care products
• A combination of these treatments

Retinoids, antibiotics, and dapsone are popular types of topical medicines. In addition to a cream form, Dr. Berger might recommend an oral form of antibiotics. Besides antibiotics, oral contraceptives, anti-androgen agents, and isotretinoin are other types of oral medications used to treat acne.