Acne Treatment Clinic Questions and Answers

Acne occurs when your pores are blocked from excess sebum production and build-up. Sebum is a type of oil produced by the sebaceous glands present in your skin. The proper function of sebum is to lubricate your skin, keeping it soft and moist. However, if those glands get clogged from bacteria, dead skin cells, or too much oil, the sebum has no way of getting to the surface of the skin to lubricate it. In such situations, bacteria usually develop, causing a pimple to appear on the skin’s surface due to inflammation.

Some common contributing factors to acne development include:

– Diets that are high in carbohydrates and refined sugars
– Emotional stress
– Genetics, or having parents who deal or have dealt with acne in the past
– Hormonal changes brought on by pregnancy, puberty, or menstrual cycles
– Low-quality cosmetic products
– Taking certain medications, including birth control pills or corticosteroids

Of these contributing factors, the most common cause for acne development is hormonal changes, particularly increased levels of androgen.

Acne treatments vary according to the severity and cause of an individual’s acne concern. As such, while mild cases of acne are usually treated with over-the-counter (OTC) topical medications, moderate to severe cases may require prescription-strength medication to get the acne problem under control. Likewise, if the acne problem is linked to stress, diet, or the use of certain cosmetic products, treatment will likely involve dietary and lifestyle changes.

Some examples of medications and treatments your doctor may recommend or prescribe for acne treatment include:

– Antibiotics, particularly if the acne is accompanied by a severe bacterial infection
– Azelaic acid
– Benzoyl peroxide (OTC)
– Chemical peels
– Dapsone
– Laser resurfacing therapy
– Oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
– Retinoids
– Salicylic acid (OTC)

Moreover, while birth control medication is sometimes the cause of acne, it is more often used to treat acne. When birth control causes acne, it is usually because the medication causes excess production in a certain hormone, such as progesterone. However, the leading cause of acne is increased androgen, which is a male hormone. In such cases, birth control pills can be used to balance androgen levels with estrogen and progesterone.

The types of acne vary in size, color, and the amount of pain they cause, including the following:

– Blackheads: visible but small black marks that appear on the skin’s surface and are not painful because they do not cause inflammation.
– Cysts: large and painful pus-filled bumps that are clearly visible on the skin, often causing scars.
– Nodules: large, solid, and painful pimples embedded deep into the skin.
– Papules: small pink bumps on the surface of the skin.
– Pustules: pus-filled pimples that are white in the center, surrounded by a red ring.
– Whiteheads: small bumps that are closed by oil and dead skin.

If you are dealing with acne, it can be difficult to know if you are dealing with hormonal acne or another cause, especially if you are unaware of the signs of hormonal acne and otherwise. With that in mind, some signs that you are dealing with hormonal acne include:

– Acne occurs around your chin and jawline
– Breakouts happen once every month
– Breakouts occur at times when you are dealing with high levels of stress
– Often deal with painful cysts

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