About 50 million Americans — mostly teens and young adults — suffer from acne, making it the most common skin condition in the United States. The physical symptoms of acne are obvious. What’s less well-known is that acne can also have serious emotional and psychological consequences, too.
As a leading dermatology practice in Warrenton, Virginia, Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center offers custom-tailored treatments for acne, helping patients reduce their symptoms and improve their self-confidence. Here’s how our team can help you.
Many people think acne is caused by poor skin hygiene or eating a lot of greasy foods — but that’s just not the case. While harsh cleansers, aggressive scrubbing, and food sensitivities can exacerbate breakouts, acne is actually caused by a combination of factors, beginning with your skin itself.
Breakouts start when hair follicles become clogged by oils and dead skin cells. Bacteria get trapped inside the plugged follicles, where the oils and warm temperature combine to provide an ideal environment for their growth. As bacteria multiply, they trigger inflammation, causing redness, swelling, and pus formation.
Acne breakouts are most common on the face, back, shoulders, neck, and upper arms — areas where there are a lot of oil glands. Breakouts tend to be more severe during puberty, when hormones cause an increase in oil production in your skin. While many people think of acne as a “teen” problem, it can begin in the preteen years and last well into adulthood.
Even though medical researchers have been targeting acne for decades, there’s still no perfect treatment or a cure. In fact, it can take some time to find the best treatment for your skin and your symptoms. That’s partly because acne affects different people in different ways, depending on their skin type, age, and other factors. Even when a treatment works initially, it can become less effective over time as your skin and body grow used to it.
The best way to treat acne and keep it under control is to see your dermatologist regularly so they can adjust your treatment as needed. Our providers offer an array of treatment options, including:
Many patients use more than one product to reduce breakouts and keep their skin healthy.
If your acne is very severe and doesn’t respond to these treatments, we might suggest isotretinoin (more commonly known by the brand name Accutane®). Isotretinoin has a number of side effects, including potentially serious ones, so it’s not always a good choice for every patient. Speak with your doctor about whether it’s the right fit for you.
Regardless of which medical treatment you use, it’s also very important to follow a good skincare routine. Our team can help you select the right products to nourish your skin and avoid irritation or dryness.
If you have acne, seeing our providers on a regular basis is essential for reducing breakouts and preventing scarring. Our team will review your medical history and lifestyle factors to design a treatment plan that’s optimized for you, so you can enjoy clearer skin and greater confidence. To learn more about our patient-centered acne treatments, call the office at 540-212-7081, or book an appointment online.
