Acne is one of the most common skin issues among teenagers, affecting up to 50 million teens in American each year. In addition, it can be quite common in adults, with between 3-8% of adults over 40 dealing with acne on occasion.

Acne is often misunderstood when it comes to underlying causes of it and effective treatment options that are available.

First, let’s cover what acne actually is before clarifying additional information about this particular health issue.

Acne is a skin condition caused by clogging of the skin pores due to buildup of oil, debris, dead cells, or hair follicles.

Many over-the-counter topical medicines are available to treat acne, but persistent cases can require prescription-grade treatment.

What Causes Acne?

Excessive sebum production by oil glands, bacteria buildup, plugged pores, and a buildup of dead skin cells are all common causes of acne. However, certain medical and physical factors can increase your chances of developing acne, including the following:

• Medication side effects
• Oily skin type
• Improper skincare routine
• Hormone fluctuations
• Air pollution
• Air humidity
• Stress
• Genetics

Types of Acne

All acne is not created equal, meaning that there are several types of acne, including

• Cystic acne: pus-filled pimples that typically leave scars behind after healing
• Nodules: large, painful, solid pimples that penetrate deep into the skin
• Fungal acne: the result of hair follicles that develop excess yeast, becoming inflamed and itchy
• Pustules: white-tipped pimples encircled in red rings, which can leave scars similar to cystic acne
• Papules: small red bumps on the skin
• Whiteheads: white-tipped bumps that are closed with oil or dead skin
• Blackheads: black-tipped open bumps, usually filled with dead skin or excess skin oils

Acne Treatments

Modern science has created several types of acne treatments that work on a variety of acne types. By consulting a medical professional, you can gain valuable information about acne treatments and choose a treatment method that best fits your needs.

Common Treatment Options May Include:

• Topical medications: antibiotic drugs like clindamycin, erythromycin, and benzoyl peroxide can be used to treat acne in some situations. In others, drugs containing retinoic acids are useful, as are salicylic acids or azelaic acids.
• Oral medications: Macrolide-based oral antibiotics, like Tetracycline, are usually the first choice in treatment options for moderate to severe acne. In some cases, contraceptives or anti-androgen drugs are helpful.
• Chemical peels: Chemical peels utilize glycolic, salicylic, or retinoic acid solutions, which is applied to the affected areas several times over a span of weeks/months depending on the severity of the condition.
• Light therapies: Phototherapy using blue or red lights can be used to treat moderate acne, which is often done in several sessions.
• Steroid injections: Steroid injections can be helpful in treating cystic and nodular acne, often being injected directly into the affected areas for pain reduction and improved healing efficacy.
• Drainage & extraction: A dermatologist can use special tools to gently remove blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts that may be resistant to healing via topical medication. However, this method may lead to scarring.

Contact an anti-aging clinic in Denver to know more about your type of acne, the available treatments, and the best course of action ahead for your particular skin type.