Acne Treatment and Maintenance

Acne is defined as a common skin disease characterized by pimples on the face, chest, and back. It occurs when the pores of the skin become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria.

Affecting nearly 17 million people in the United States, Acne Vulgaris, (the medical term for common acne), is the most common skin disease. The goals in acne treatment are typically to: reduce sebum (oil) production, remove dead skin cells, increase cell turnover, kill bacteria and reduce inflammation. Acne can be mild, moderate, or severe, therefore treatment plans vary from person to person. Treatment for mild acne can be as simple as an over the counter cleanser whereas more severe cases may include topical prescriptions, oral antibiotics, acne surgery, medical grade skin care products and pulsed light treatments.

If you have symptoms that lead you to believe you have acne, but you have never been diagnosed by a doctor, you may want to see a dermatologist. There are many skin conditions that are commonly mistaken for acne. Rosacea is just one common skin condition that people often treat as acne without any result or lessening of symptoms.

You may want to see a dermatologist if any of the following apply to you:

• You take care of your skin at home and/or have tried and purchased at home treatments, skin care products or OTC creams/acne medications and the acne continues to get worse.
• You notice spots of discoloration or marks that may leave a scar when an acne spot goes away. You may want to seek treatment to prevent further discoloration or scarring.
• You have painful acne that seem to be like bumps or nodules under the skin. This could be a severe form of cystic acne and need medical treatment or become easily infected and cause scarring.

Dealing with acne can be frustrating, depressing and discouraging. At Rappaport Dermatology, we understand what you are going through and offer the safest and most effective treatments possible for acne. If you have questions and would like to know what you can do for your acne, or need a treatment plan for your skin, call Rappaport Dermatology to schedule an appointment. There are several options available when treating acne and you don’t have to decide alone.

Treatment for acne may include one or a combination of the following:

• OTC treatment
• Oral antibiotics
• Birth control
• Isotretinoin (Accutane)
• Topical prescription creams/medication
• Pulsed Light Acne
• Chemical Peels
• Medical grade skin care products or home regimen