What you need to know about Acne:

Acne can be one of the most frustrating skin conditions to deal with, but it is also the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting approximately 40 to 50 million Americans annually. Acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and occasionally the upper arms. While it is something that mostly effects teens, a significant number of adults are also affected by this skin condition.

What exactly causes acne?

Its cause can be contributed to many factors affecting the skin. Typically, overactive sebaceous oil glands can produce too much oil and combine with skin cells to plug pores causing bumps to form above the skin.
Although the condition itself isn’t life threatening, it can be embarrassing, leave potential scaring if severe, and not great for our self-esteem. That’s’ where we at WDC come in!

There are a number of treatment options for moderate to severe cases. Your dermatology provider can come up with a treatment plan to best suit the type and severity of your acne.

Acne Treatment options:

Treatment is designed to prevent formation of new lesions and aid the healing of old lesions. Treatment may consist of topical creams or gels containing retinoic acid, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, topical antibiotics or oral antibiotics. It is important to remember that there is no quick fix for acne and not every patient will respond the same. It typically takes 6-8 weeks to see initial results and a combination approach is often necessary. Severe or refractory cases may need treatment with isotretinoin, or Accutane, which are extremely effective, but have potentially serious side effects. Surgical intervention may include professional chemical skin peeling, laser or light treatments such red light therapy, removal and/or drainage of cysts, and/or intralesional cortisone injections.

While we are good at managing the acne breakouts, there are a number of positive lifestyle changes you can make to keep the acne at bay to begin with. Food is one of the main triggers that can play a huge role in your skin.

1. Stay hydrated – The connection between drinking water and acne is often overlooked. Yet, dehydration is one of the most prevalent underlying conditions that can lead to chronic or acute acne.
2. STRESS-LESS – Hormones stimulate the oil glands to produce more sebum, which can block pores. Bacteria can then grow within the pores, causing them to become inflamed and break out.
3. Limiting Certain Foods – There are a number of food choices that can affect how your skin reacts. Here are a couple of food tips to add and avoid to keep your face pimple free.
1. Limit Dairy Products– Milk holds hormones that build tissue in the body. These hormones can also increase oil production that can lead to blemished skin.
2. Pass up the White Breads – When adding that hefty portion of stuffing onto your plate, be mindful that eating high glycemic index foods may be tied to flare-ups. Stay away from empty carb foods, such as, white bread, pasta, and white rice.
3. Moderate the Chocolate – Chocolate can increasingly raise insulin levels that can lead to acne bacteria. It’s important to not overindulge in this holiday delicacy.
4. Avoid High Calorie Foods – It can be hard to keep away from all the delicious desserts during the holidays, but these treats can often increase skin oil output, which often lead to clogged pores and acne breakouts.
5. Keep up with Omega-3 Acids – These fatty acids are generally found in fish oils, nuts, spices, etc. A good balance of Omega-3s will help swelling and redness usually brought on by acne.

If you’re dealing with acne breakouts and pesky skin issues, don’t just learn to live with it. Call our office today to schedule your appointment with one of our experienced providers and begin your journey to clearer skin!