Acne Solutions

Who needs treatment for acne?

Acne vulgaris (a.k.a. acne) is the most common skin condition in the United States, and it is not just a teenage concern. Adults into their forties may also experience a case of adult acne ranging from a few bumps to widespread clusters of blemished skin on both the face and body.

There are two main categories of acne, inflammatory and non-inflammatory, which can present with varying degrees of severity. The lesions occur after a pore becomes clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and/or p. acnes bacteria.

• Inflammatory Acne: Refers to lesions like cysts and pimples that appear red and swollen as a result of bacteria that has infiltrated the pore.
• Non-Inflammatory Acne: Refers to mild lesions like comedones (a.k.a. whiteheads and blackheads) that are relatively superficial and do not swell.

Types of Acne

Within those general classifications exists more specific types of acne lesions. Individuals may experience any number of these specific types. On the non-inflammatory side, open comedones (i.e. blackheads) form when a clogged pore remains open, resulting in a dark spot on the surface of the skin. Conversely, closed comedones (whiteheads) appear when a pore closes on top of a buildup of sebum and dead skin cells resulting in a small bump. Patients with non-inflammatory acne experience little to no pain or redness, although if untreated comedones can become inflamed leading to inflammatory acne lesions.

Inflammatory acne tends to be more severe and comes in the form of papules, pustules, nodules, and cystic acne. Papules and pustules are red and may or may not be pus filled. They are commonly known as pimples. When acne lesions become rooted deeply below the surface of the skin they are classified as cysts and nodules. These painful and swollen lesions are notorious for chasing scarring.

Individuals who have had acne breakouts for several months or years should consult a board-certified dermatologist regarding treatments that will target their specific type of acne. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), people who suffer from acne may not think that it is important to get diagnosed for their condition, but untreated or improperly treated acne can lead to the development of acne scars, which have long-term effects on skin clarity, tone, and texture.

What can you expect from acne treatment?

Just as no two breakouts are the same, there is no universal treatment program for acne. While some patients may be able to clear their skin with over-the-counter products containing antibacterial ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, more severe acne cases may require prescription medications like isotretinoin (Accutane) or spironolactone.

An important note when treating everything from the casual whitehead to the cystic breakout is the benefit of diligent and persistent treatment. While pimples are relatively harmless, they can take days or even weeks to clear. Developing a treatment protocol with the help of a board-certified dermatologist or skincare expert can help to ensure proper acne clearance to minimize scarring and other adverse effects.

When should you seek treatment for acne?

While many over the counter skincare products can alleviate most mild to moderate forms of acne, cysts and nodules are often difficult to treat without the help of a professional. In some cases, severe skin irritation and/or damage may occur if proper treatment is not obtained in a timely manner.

Individuals dealing with chronic or severe flare-ups can manage their condition with the help of topical antibiotics like isotretinoin (Accutane) or spironolactone. These must be taken under the care of a provider. Additionally, those who have stopped having success with at-home remedies may decide it is time to seek the help of a dermatologist for topical or oral-based prescriptions.

Why should you seek treatment for acne?

There is no hard and fast rule as to when or why someone should seek treatment for acne, but when breakouts become chronic and painful, or simply begin to interfere with a patient’s day-to-day life, it may be time to consider both at-home and professional solutions that can clear skin, thwart scarring, and help prevent future breakouts.

Once you’ve decided acne treatment is for you, there are several options to consider depending on the severity and scope. While oral medications exist to treat more severe cases of acne (think: cysts and nodules), non-inflammatory (i.e. blackheads and whiteheads), and mild to moderate pimples can often be cleared with over the counter skincare products.