Tips and treatments for dealing with acne
It is back to school time, and every student wants to start the school year with clear skin. This is a good time to talk about acne, how to treat it and learn some simple at-home tips for clear skin.
Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, and it should be treated. A common myth is that you have to let acne run its course. Dermatologists know that letting acne runs its course is not always the best advice. Without treatment, dark spots and permanent scars can appear on the skin as acne clears. Plus, treating acne often boosts a person’s self-esteem. With so many effective treatments available, it makes sense to treat yourself or your loved one’s acne.
Most people who have acne are teenagers or young adults, but acne can occur at any age in both males and females. Newborn babies can get acne. Some women get acne when they reach middle age, even if they didn’t have it when they were teenagers.
Acne appears when a pore in our skin clogs. Oil plus dead skin cells stick together inside the pore. Sometimes bacteria that live on our skin, p. acnes, also get inside the clogged pore. The bacteria inside the pore have a perfect environment for multiplying very quickly. With loads of bacteria inside, the pore becomes inflamed (red and swollen). If the inflammation goes deep into the skin, an acne cyst or nodule appears.
There are many effective acne treatments. This does not mean that every acne treatment works for everyone who has acne. But it does mean that virtually every case of acne can be controlled.
Mild acne, characterized by only a few blemishes, can be treated with over-the-counter products that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Neutrogena’s Oil Free Acne wash is a good, over-the-counter cleanser with 2 percent salicylic acid. PanOxyl and Clearasil offer benzoyl peroxide cleansers and spot treatments.
If you have tried numerous over-the-counter products and have given them one to two months to work but have not seen improvement, it is probably time to see a dermatologist who can prescribe numerous topical medications, ones that you place directly on the skin. Some topicals help kill the bacteria, and others work on reducing the oil and exfoliating the dead skin cells. Topical medicine may contain a retinoid (like Retin-A), prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide, antibiotic (like clindamycin), salicylic acid, dapsone, or sulfur.
Medicine that works throughout the body may be necessary when you have red, swollen types of acne. This treatment is usually necessary to treat acne cysts and nodules. We may prescribe oral antibiotics, birth control pills, spironolactone or isotretinoin (Accutane).
We can also recommend in-office treatments for acne such as a lightbased treatment called Blu-light, which helps reduce bacteria. Salicylic acid chemical peels are great for acne because they treat both active acne and the dark spots the acne can leave behind. When large acne cysts exist, they may need to be injected or drained.
Some easy tips to help with acne include washing affected areas twice a day and after sweating. Perspiration, especially when wearing a hat or helmet, can make acne worse, so wash your skin as soon as possible after sweating. Use gentle products, such as those that are alcohol-free, and use your fingertips to apply a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser. Rinse with lukewarm water. It is acceptable to exfoliate with an astringent or exfoliating brush occasionally, but you don’t need to do it daily. Also shampoo your hair regularly, especially if you have oily hair because natural hair oils and any oil that you may apply to your hair will cause acne if it gets on your face. It is OK to use a lightweight moisturizer and sunscreen, such as Cetaphil or Aveeno when you have acne.
Keep your hands and phone off of your face, and of course, do not pick at your face. If you pick, pop or squeeze your acne, your skin will take longer to clear, and you increase the risk of getting acne scars. We offer in-office extraction sessions in which our aesthetician uses steam to remove the blackheads.
Watch your diet and drink plenty of water. New research shows that high-dairy diets and high-sugar diets are bad for the skin. Taking good care of yourself and eating healthy will improve the look of your skin. Also, getting a good night’s sleep will help the skin glow because the skin repairs itself at night. Avoid drinking alcohol as it worsens the look of the skin. Don’t smoke! Patients who smoke have more acne and blackheads than those who don’t.
Dermatologists can help treat existing acne, prevent new breakouts and reduce your chance of developing scars. We also can treat old acne scars with a variety of lasers, chemical peels and medical micro-needling. Consult a board-certified dermatologist if you can’t get your acne under control alone. Feel confident going back to school this fall.
Sarah Glorioso, MD, FAAD, is a partner at Ark-La-Tex Dermatology with offices in Bossier City and Shreveport and is part of the Willis-Knighton Physician Network.
