Regardless of your age, acne can be an embarrassing condition that affects your self-confidence and self-esteem. Luckily, the condition is treatable and Dr. Hitchins offers several effective treatment options to reduce the appearance and severity of your acne for the new year.
Because not all treatments work the same for everyone, Dr. Hitchins provides a variety of services to ensure you have access to the right treatment for you and your skin.
The root cause of acne
Acne is a skin disorder that is often recognized as a teenager’s condition. However, acne can affect people of all ages, including babies and adults. While it’s true that hormonal changes during puberty can increase your risk for developing acne, there are a variety of underlying issues that can cause acne.
In general, acne develops when your oil glands produce oil that clogs the opening of your hair follicles, which is located in the pores of your skin. Clogged pores can result in inflammation that causes the painful lesions to form underneath the skin. In some cases, these lesions can become infected and fill with pus. As the lesions heal, they can result in permanent, visible scars.
For many, hormones are the primary reason you develop acne. You may have high levels of specific hormones, including testosterone, which contribute to your condition.
Other common causes of acne include:
- Stress
- Oily skin
- Use of birth control
- Excess bacteria growth
You may also be prone to developing acne if you aren’t taking proper care of your skin. Not washing your face regularly or failing to remove makeup before bed can result in clogged pores that develop into acne.
At-home acne care plan
Before Dr. Hitchins recommends medicine to address your acne, she may suggest certain lifestyle changes that can lessen your acne. These changes may include changing your brand of facial cleanser and makeup products to ensure your skin isn’t being irritated and wearing high-quality sunscreen daily.
One of the most important things you can do when caring for acne is to leave it alone. Touching your face or squeezing lesions can not only lead to infection, it can result in permanent scarring in your face.
Medical intervention for acne
If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to address moderate to severe acne, you may benefit from prescription-strength topical creams. Typically, these products contain acne-fighting ingredients, like:
- Sulfur
- Salicylic acid
- Benzoyl peroxide
For severe acne outbreaks, Dr. Hitchins offers the prescription drug Accutane®, a powerful medication that can effectively clear acne within several months of treatment. Typically, this avenue of treatment is used when other therapies fail.
In some cases, a course of antibiotics may also be necessary if you develop an underlying skin infection related to your acne.
As your acne starts to clear, Dr. Hitchins can provide guidance for a good skin care routine that will prevent future outbreaks. She can also recommend improvements to your diet to improve and protect the health of your skin.
If you’re tired of living with the embarrassment of acne, schedule your consultation now. You can book an appointment conveniently at Dermatology Center of Northwest Houston online or by phone.