Blemishes, whiteheads, blackheads, cysts, and red, swollen bumps that give off heat are signs of inflammation and acne. Millions of people who struggle with acne all over the world; in fact, over 40 million! Some believe acne is just a part of growing up and that eventually, it is outgrown. It is true that most teens outgrow the stage of active lesions, but unfortunately, acne isn’t like a pair of jeans. It can have lingering psychological and physical effects like scars.
Causes of Acne:
Many people look to over-the-counter solutions to combat their acne, but these surface treatments may not be enough. Many of these products or methods to reduce blemishes may irritate the skin and ultimately make it worse if not used correctly, which is why it is necessary to see a specialist who can recommend the proper treatment for your particular acne condition. Dermatologists and cosmetic skin care therapists help people overcome or manage their mild to severe acne conditions.
Within each pore, where a thin hair grows, there are sebaceous glands that secrete oil to help hydrate and protect the skin. These oil glands can sometimes be blocked by sticky cells and oil and skin cells can back up within the follicle. Eventually, the overproduction of oil can cause bacteria to fester and produce a white head filled with pus. Whiteheads are the first step or type of blemishes to form; blackheads are whiteheads that have set for an extended period of time finally coming up to the surface.
There are several types of acne lesions. Comedones (whiteheads and blackheads) usually small and close to the skin’s surface. Larger inflamed pustules, cysts, and nodules have a tendency to develop beneath the skin and can be quite painful for people. We mentioned previously that there is a hair follicle growing within the pore, and when it gets blocked, nodules form around it as bacteria and debris build deeper within the dermis and the hair follicle is damaged to a the point where it ruptures.
Acne stereotypically occurs in children moving through puberty, but people of all ages can get it even those in their 40s and 50s. Many people with to squeeze or pop blemishes creating more irritation and signaling more blood flow to the surface, making the skin look much worse. Popping pimples or scratching away these red bumps may create scarring on the skin that could last a lifetime. Acne scarring has lasting repercussions for people affected by this skin condition since it may cause reduced confidence, and increase social withdrawal and depression. There’s no reason to suffer from acne when there are a variety of skin care solutions out there.
Those suffering from acne might avoid the issue of acne scarring if the condition is addressed as soon as flare-ups happen. Treatment of acne is all about developing a treatment program specifically for you. Depending on your skin type, how deep the infections go, and what you’ve tried in the past to get rid of the acne-causing bacteria. At Calabasas Med Spa, we coordinate with our directing dermatologist to create a custom acne treatment plan for you.
An important part of acne treatment is a regimented skin care program that may include prescription medications and medical grade skincare products that can help temper the appearance. It’s important to cleanse the skin, adequately treat the bacteria and excess oil and moisturize every day. We can help you develop a plan that makes sense for you to maintain. Should your acne lesions require it, medications are prescribed orally to work on the deep layers of the skin, healing from the inside out.
At Calabasas Med Spa, we focus on medical grade skincare programs, chemical peels, laser treatments, and cleansing facials, while our dermatologist director, Dr. Osman, leads diagnosis and prescription management.
Treating acne is all about control. Despite how common it is, we still don’t have a cure for acne. Our goal is to get acne under control and keep it that way, until the person outgrows the tendency to get it. The closest treatment we have to a cure is isotretinoin (Accutane). Another important factor to keep in mind is that acne does not improve overnight. Treatment takes weeks to months to achieve optimal control.
Regarding acne scars, multiple treatments and a combination of treatments often give best results. Most people with acne scars have several types of scars present all at once – icepick (deep pinpoint), boxcar (flat bottom depressions), rolling (deep and depressed), and lingering red marks. Some treatments are better at improving one type of scar compared to another. Thus, we recommend the combination of treatments that would work best for you.
