Approaches to Treating Your Acne

How your dermatologists in Wellesley Hills, MA, can help give you clear skin

Acne can do damage to your self-esteem and self-confidence, and it can do damage to your skin. Acne can leave scars behind, even after the acne is gone. Your dermatologist can help treat your acne and give you back your clear, beautiful skin. The dermatologists at Newton Wellesley Dermatology Associates in Wellesley, Hills, MA, offer a full line of skincare solutions including treatment approaches for acne.

If you have acne, you are not alone. In fact, acne affects more people in this country than any other skin condition, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. It’s caused by your pores becoming clogged with excess oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells. When your pores are clogged, they become inflamed, swollen, red, and painful. Acne can take on many forms including blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts which contain pus.

Acne also doesn't discriminate according to age. Both teenagers and adults are affected by acne blemishes and acne scarring. Acne is not only unsightly, but it can affect you emotionally, causing social stigma and other issues. Many people affected by acne initially turn to over-the-counter acne treatments.

Over-the-counter acne treatments containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide may work for mild cases of acne. For moderate to severe acne cases, you need to see a professional, your dermatologist. Some common approaches to acne treatment include:

• Tretinoin, which helps to unplug clogged pores
• Professional strength benzoyl peroxide, which reduces pore blockage
• Oral and topical antibiotic medication to treat an underlying bacterial infection
• Manual extraction of blackheads and whiteheads using an extraction tool
• Treatments for hormone-related acne

If you have acne scarring in addition to acne, your dermatologist can help with that too. Chemical peels, laser resurfacing, and other techniques are very effective ways to diminish acne scars. To find out more about approaches to acne treatment and acne scarring, call the dermatologists at Newton Wellesley Dermatology Associates in Wellesley, Hills, MA, at (781) 237-3500 today!