Acne Treatment In Gainesville, FL
Acne (acne vulgaris) is one of the most common and troubling skin conditions patients come into our office with, and treatment often involves a slow, long process — there are no overnight solutions. Acne occurs when pores become clogged with a substance called sebum and dead skin cells. Often requiring the help of a skin care specialist, acne affects both teenagers and adults, and can appear on a patient’s face, back, chest, and buttocks. Facial acne can be especially troubling, and if left untreated until adulthood, can result in permanent facial scarring. Our board-certified team of specialists at John W. Tyrone, MD, PLLC, Plastic Surgery are experts at helping patients get rid of their acne for good. We provide patients with personalized and consistent treatment for acne.
John W. Tyrone, MD, is one of the most highly trained physicians in the Southeast and has years of expertise in providing cosmetic plastic surgery procedures and skin treatments to enhance your quality of life by improving your self-esteem and helping your reclaim your vitality. Contact us today to schedule a skin care appointment or to learn more about all the skin conditions we treat.
What Causes Acne?
Acne has many causes but tends to form due to clogged pores from dead skin cells, excess sebum, and bacteria. Additionally, certain triggers can make a patient’s acne worse, including hormonal changes, medications, diet, and stress.
How Is Acne Treated?
There are many different treatments for acne; there is no overnight solution to acne — treatment requires consistency and patience. Common ingredients in skin care products include retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid, among others. At our dermatology clinic, our team works with patients to determine the best treatment for their specific acne. Some of our popular acne treatments include chemical peels, HydraFacial®, microdermabrasion, and the ZO Skin Care line we carry in our practice.
Can You Prevent Acne?
There are many things patients can do to prevent acne or keep it from worsening or scarring. Avoid skincare and makeup products that can clog your pores, and pick products labeled as “non-comedogenic” or “oil-free.” Keep your exposure to the sun limited to ensure your acne doesn’t leave behind scars or dark spots and always wear sunscreen and follow proper sun-care routines. For patients with acne-prone skin, avoiding dairy, food with lots of sugar, and overly oily foods may help reduce inflammation. Regular exercise can also help acne through endorphins, which can reduce stress — a frequent acne trigger. Just be sure to wear sunscreen and properly cleanse your skin thereafter!
Common Types Of Acne
Acne can be divided into two categories: noninflammatory acne and inflammatory acne. These two broader categories can then be divided into the following six subcategories. It’s important to know the types of acne you have so our team can help you create the best treatment plan possible. Contact us to schedule an appointment and one of our skin specialists can determine your type of acne and treatment method.
- Blackheads. A blackhead is an accumulation of dead skin cells oil within the hair follicle of the skin. Also called open comedones, blackheads develop when sebum and dead skin cells clog a pore and the pore remains open, which exposes the clogged pore to air.
- Whiteheads. Whiteheads appear on the skin’s surface as round, white bumps. This mild form of acne occurs as a result of a pore becoming clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and environmental debris. They occur on the face, shoulders, neck, chest, and back.
- Papules. Papules appear when the walls surrounding a pore breaks down from severe inflammation. This results in hard, clogged pores that are tender to the touch. The skin around these pores is usually pink.
- Pustules. Pustules are what many patients associate with zits. Unlike papules, pustules are filled with pus. These bumps protrude from the skin and are usually red in color, and they often have yellow or white heads on top.
- Nodules. Nodules occur when clogged, swollen pores grow larger. Unlike pustules and papules, nodules are deeper underneath the skin. Therefore, home treatment often isn’t effective. Prescription medication from a dermatologist is best to help clear these up.
- Cysts. Cysts develop deep under the skin and are painful to the touch. Cysts are the largest form of acne, and their formation usually results from a severe infection. This type of acne is also the most likely to scar.