Acne is the most common skin complaint in the United States, affecting nearly 50 million people every year. At Southern Indiana Family Practice Center and Rejuv Spa, in Bloomington, Indiana, Karen Reid-Renner, MD, and her staff offer a wide array of treatment options for eradicating acne to improve the look and health of your skin. To learn more about your treatment options for a clearer complexion, call the office today, or schedule an appointment online.
Acne Treatment
What causes acne?
Even though acne is extremely common, the pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and deep cysts that comprise this skin condition can cause embarrassment and undermine confidence. Acne is an inflammatory condition of the skin that most commonly erupts on the face, chest, neck, back, and shoulders. It typically starts in puberty, and in fact, afflicts some 85% of people between age 12 and 24. Still, acne can also affect those in their 30s and 40s.
A number of factors contribute to acne; among the most prevalent of those factors are hormones, genetics, and stress. Acne occurs when overactive oil glands produce an excess of oil that combines with skin cells to plug pores. These clogged pores cause bacteria to multiply, which causes breakouts.
What acne treatments are available?
Dr. Reid-Renner and her team offer a wide array of treatment options, customized for each patient’s specific skin and case. These treatments may include:
Topical medications, such as antibiotic creams, retinoids, or salicylic acid are typically the first-line treatment for most patients.
Oral antibiotics are often used to manage moderate-to-severe acne that has not responded to topical treatments or that cover a large surface area. Antibiotics effective in treating acne include tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, erythromycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, and azithromycin.
Isotretinoin is another oral medication and the only one FDA-approved to treat severe cystic acne. Isotretinoin is strong and extremely effective, but cannot be used by pregnant patients. In addition, women who can become pregnant must adhere to strict birth control rules. Isotretinoin can cause severe birth defects in a baby.
What causes acne scars and how can they be treated?
When clogged pores caused by acne become inflamed and burst deep in the skin, the infected debris leaks into the tissues and creates lesions. Scarring occurs as these lesions heal. The healing process causes changes in the skin’s texture. At Southern Indiana Family Practice Center and Rejuv Spa, the practitioners can eliminate the appearance of acne scars by the use of advanced laser treatments that can refine skin texture.
To get help with your acne for clearer skin, call Southern Indiana Family Practice Center and Rejuv Spa, or use the online booking tool to make an appointment.