Acne

The best acne treatment option for you will vary depending on the specific type of acne you have and the root cause of your breakouts. Some treatment options include topical retinoids, topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, birth control spironolactone, or isotretinoin (Accutane). At Arlington Dermatology, we will carefully evaluate your skin and establish a customized treatment plan to address your acne.

Many people experience acne during puberty in their pre-teen and teenage years. However,nadults may also face acne in their twenties, thirties, and forties.

Sleeping on your back is the best sleep position for healthy skin. Your face avoids contact with your hair and friction & pressure from your pillow, which can help prevent wrinkles and development of acne along the sides of your face. And if you tend to be a side sleeper, try using a silk pillowcase!

A variety of factors can contribute to cystic acne, including hormonal changes during teenage years, increased stress, family history, and age. Hormonal acne can present as deeper nodules and cysts that persist for long periods of time.

Depending on your skin type, type of acne, and tolerance, both ingredients are very effective in treating acne. Benzoyl peroxide is effective in killing acne-causing bacteria and reducing inflammation, making it great for inflammatory acne. Salicylic acid is best for unclogging pores and reducing blackheads and whiteheads, making it suitable for comedonal acne. Again, consulting with a dermatologist can help determine if introducing either ingredient into your regimen is ideal.

While there is no singular drink or quick fix that will entirely clear your skin, some natural drinks/ingredients can restore or maintain healthy skin. Tea, such as green tea, is rich in antioxidants that boost skin repair and elasticity. If dairy is a trigger for your acne, choosing dairy-free alternatives to milk could help minimize breakouts.

Acne is caused by: hair follicles or pores that become clogged by dead skin cells, oil accumulation triggered by hormones, bacterial proliferation, and inflammation. In addition, factors including age, hormonal imbalance, medications side effects, and family history may increase your risk for developing acne.

Cystic acne is caused by hormonal changes, genetics, and overproduction of oil in the skin. They appear as large, red, painful bumps beneath the skin's surface. They often don't have a whitehead or blackhead on top, but they can be tender to touch and take longer to heal compared to regular pimples.

Like other types of acne, acne caused by stress may present as clusters of small red-pink papules or pustules, whiteheads, or blackheads. Stress can lead to oil production, which in turn leads to clogged pores and acne breakouts. As such, acne from stress typically occurs on the oiliest parts of the face, such as the forehead, nose, and chin.

While food alone does not directly cause acne, some foods can exacerbate the condition. For example, high glycemic foods (foods high in simple sugars and carbohydrates) or dairy may contribute to acne flares. More research is necessary to better understand how specific foods impact acne.

Keeping your skin clean, having an effective skincare regimen, and keeping a healthy diet can help clear your acne. Consistent skincare routines with gentle cleansers and moisturizers in combination with targeted acne treatments (such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or medical grade topicals) are very effective. nIf you want to find and create the most ideal skincare routine for your skin type, consult with a provider for a customized, effective regimen.