Acne

Understanding Acne: A Common Skin Condition Affecting Millions

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions, affecting people of all ages, particularly adolescents. With over 650 million people worldwide dealing with acne, it is the most widespread skin disorder globally. Acne occurs when natural oils (sebum) and dead skin cells clog hair follicles and pores, creating an environment where bacteria thrive, leading to inflammation and symptoms like pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. It affects men and women of all races and ages.

Causes and Development of Acne

Sebum Production: Excess sebum from sebaceous glands can clog pores.
Dead Skin Cells: Dead skin cells can mix with sebum and become trapped in hair follicles.
Bacterial Growth: Blocked follicles create a breeding ground for bacteria like Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), causing infection and inflammation.
Inflammatory Response: The body’s immune reaction to infection results in redness, swelling, and various types of acne lesions such as pustules, nodules, and cysts.

Who Is Affected by Acne?

While acne is most commonly seen in teenagers due to hormonal changes during puberty, it also affects adults. Factors like hormonal fluctuations, stress, diet, and certain medications can trigger or worsen acne in adults. Genetics also play a key role; if your parents had acne, you're more likely to develop it too. Acne can persist into adulthood, impacting people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and even 50s.

Acne is the result of clogged pores. Pores are very small openings in the skin, and in some cases, these pores are hair follicles. Oil called sebum is produced in these pores, and this oil normally gives the skin moisture to prevent dryness.

When too much sebum is produced, dead skin cells inside the pores become trapped, creating a clog. A bacterium called P. acnes is commonly found in these pores, and clogs allow it to multiply. This can cause an infection, leading to inflammation and the formation of pimples.

At Keystone Dermatology Partners, we prioritize your skin health and understand how much acne can affect your life. Whether you are 13, 23, or 53, struggling with acne can be challenging, but you don’t have to face it alone. Our team of expert dermatologists provides personalized care tailored to your specific skin needs.

Tailored Acne Treatment Plans for Every Age Group:

Adolescents: Teenage acne often needs treatments that target excess oil and bacteria. Our dermatologists may suggest topical treatments like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinoids, and oral medications when necessary.

Young Adults: Acne in your 20s and 30s can be influenced by hormonal changes and lifestyle factors. We offer advanced treatments, including hormone therapy, light therapy, and chemical peels, to effectively manage persistent acne.

Mature Adults: Treating acne in older adults requires a gentler approach that considers aging skin. Our dermatologists focus on treatments such as retinoids, anti-inflammatory medications, and other advanced options to promote clear skin without irritation.

Numerous treatments are available for acne, including topical and oral medications, injections, and skin treatments (including laser treatments). At Keystone Dermatology Partners, we provide several treatment options, and the right choice for you will depend on factors like skin type and your acne’s degree of severity. 

Chemical Peels help to remove layers of dead and damaged skin cells, revealing the healthy and unblemished skin underneath. They are quite effective for unclogging pores and treating oily skin, resulting in a reduction in acne. Peels can also soften the appearance of acne scars.

Prescription Creams are a type of topical acne treatment that helps in cleaning out the pores by removing the dirt and bacteria that cause acne. Prescription creams are not to be used during pregnancy and must be used as directed.

Manual Extraction is a process that removes acne from the skin through the use of specialized sterile medical instruments. These tools include a precise blade and a comedone extractor, which is an instrument that creates pressure to remove solids or fluids from inside the pimple. It is not typically used for inflamed acne.

Cortisone Shots help reduce the amount of inflammation, pain, and swelling around cystic acne, dermatologists often inject a more diluted form of corticosteroid. This is injected directly into the cyst. This treatment is reserved for the more tender and swollen types of cysts that are not responding to typical therapies. It is effective in shrinking nodules and cysts.

Topical Retinoids are a type of medication used to help control comedonal acne (blackheads and whiteheads). They are also referred to as retinoic acid or vitamin A acid. Topical retinoids are available in the form of a gel, ointment, cream, or foam that is to be applied directly to the skin. They promote the exfoliation of skin cells and boost the production of new skin cells.

Antibiotics for acne treatment are available as prescription drugs. They help reduce oil formation and infection by treating the bacteria responsible for acne formation. Antibiotics take a few weeks to months to remove acne.