Acne
Acne is a skin condition that causes your pores to become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, leading to painful breakouts. Acne is most commonly triggered by hormonal fluctuations, stress, and diet. Most of my patients are surprised to learn that certain medications and skincare products can worsen your acne, many you wouldn’t even consider.
Acne Symptoms & The Areas It Affects
Acne shows up on your body as pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, or deep, painful cysts. These breakouts usually occur on your face, particularly your forehead, cheeks, and chin, but they can also show up on your chest, back, or shoulders. Acne ranges from mild, like occasional pimples, to severe, like cystic forms that require regular intervention.
Many of my patients have them throughout their body and are surprised to learn that it is indeed acne. It’s not just isolated to your face. In more severe cases, they are tender, leave noticeable marks, and even are open wounds. This is especially concerning because they are an easy way for bacteria to enter your skin, which only accelerates bacterial growth and discomfort.
Adults Get Acne Too!
Many believe acne is just a teenage problem and that once they hit a certain age, their skin will magically be clear. This is not true; I see numerous adults well into their 30s, 40s, and beyond, with varying degrees of acne. This happens because it can be triggered by numerous things, including stress, diet, and hormonal changes, specifically menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
Acne Won’t Go Away On Its Own
Untreated or mismanaged acne can lead to permanent scarring, which will require advanced treatments to correct. In some cases, this damage is permanent. Hyperpigmentation, dark spots that linger long after breakouts fade, is the most common scarring from acne.
The Emotional Toll of Acne Is Significant
At any age, untreated and persistent acne leads to embarrassment, reduced self-esteem, and anxiety in social settings. These challenges don’t have to affect your confidence and wreck your social life. With proper care, we can get you clear skin that is acne-free to unlock a new level of confidence!
My team and I create customized treatment plans to clear your acne, prevent scarring, and keep it away for good. Some of our patients respond positively to a short-term plan, while others require a long-term, consistent approach. Regardless of what your skin needs, we will help you get there by doing an acne assessment.
Our most popular treatments include medical-grade topical retinoids to unclog your pores and reduce inflammation, laser therapy to target stubborn breakouts and fade scarring, and gentle chemical peels to exfoliate and smooth your complexion.
