Whether you’re a teenager or older, if you have acne, you’re looking for solutions to make your skin smooth and clear again. Lisa Hitchins, MD, an acne expert at Dermatology Center of Northwest Houston in Cypress, Texas, tailors acne treatments to help your skin regain its balance. If you’re a man, woman, or teen in the Houston area who wants to clear away acne lesions from your face, neck, chest, back, or shoulders, contact Dr. Hitchins by phoning her friendly staff or booking a consultation online.
Acne is a common skin disorder that tends to afflict young men and women in their teens. However, about 20% of acne sufferers are adults.
Acne usually appears in conjunction with the hormonal changes associated with puberty, starting somewhere around the ages of 10-13 years. Acne develops when secretions from your sebaceous glands -- otherwise known as your oil glands, which are located at the bottom of your hair follicle -- clog the follicle opening.
Large clogged openings appear as small, dark spots called blackheads. Small clogged openings look like flesh-colored or whitish bumps known as whiteheads.
Both blackheads and whiteheads (also known as comedones) can progress to full-blown, inflamed acne lesions (papules) or pus-filled lesions (pustules).
In severe acne, the pores are so clogged that firm, inflamed, and sometimes hard, painful, infected nodules form underneath the skin, too. Cystic acne is characterized by deep, painful, pus-filled pimples (cysts) that may cause severe scarring.
You didn’t get acne because you ate too many chocolate bars or potato chips. Your genes and hormones cause acne. Other factors that contribute to acne include:
Dr. Hitchins helps you get your acne out of control with lifestyle adjustments, topical medications, and — in severe or recalcitrant cases — oral medications. She advises against popping or squeezing acne lesions yourself to avoid damaging your skin or causing an infection.
Possible adjustments and therapies include:
When you’re ready to get your acne under control, contact Dr. Hitchins at Dermatology Center of Northwest Houston by contacting her friendly and supportive staff.
