Dealing with skin breakouts can be difficult at any age. While zits and pimples are often associated with the hormones of adolescence, they can also happen in your adult years. Do you have problems with acne in Winston Salem, NC? If so, it's time for a Westgate Dermatology and Laser Center consultation with Dr. Paul Kostuchenko and Dr. Shilpa Sawardekar.

What Causes Adult Acne?

To effectively treat acne, it's important to understand the underlying cause. You may have outbreaks due to hormonal fluctuations—a common problem during menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, and conditions such as PCOS. If you're under a great deal of stress, it can cause higher cortisol levels, which produce excess oil in your skin. The wrong skin care products can clog your pores and make it easy for acne to form. 

The saying, “you are what you eat”, rings true when it comes to skin outbreaks. Some people may get acne from consuming dairy or high-glycemic foods. People may also be affected by medication, including birth control pills. Pay attention to your environment, because living in a highly polluted area can affect your skin health. High humidity can also be a trigger.

How Can You Treat This Skin Condition?

You don't have to fight acne in Winston Salem, NC, on your own, thanks to Dr. Kostuchenko's and Dr. Sawardekar's expertise. A dermatologist can prescribe topical treatments like retinoid or benzoyl peroxide that can fight bacteria in the skin, unclog pores, and reduce inflammation. Antibiotics or hormonal treatments may also help. Your skin doctor can also review lifestyle changes that can help reduce the likelihood of outbreaks. Avoiding smoking, eating a healthy diet, switching skin care products, and drinking more water can all help reduce the likelihood of acne flare-ups. Bringing any skin care product into your dermatology consultation is a good idea so your doctor can review the ingredients with you and help you understand what to avoid. Your dermatologist may also have more specialized treatments, like laser therapy, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels, that can help with acne or the scars it sometimes leaves behind.

When you visit Westgate Dermatology and Laser Center in Winston Salem, Thomasville, and Kernersville, NC, Dr. Kostuchenko and Dr. Sawardekar can help treat and prevent acne. To learn more, call 336-768-1280 for the Winston-Salem office, 336-714-0238 for Thomasville, NC, and 336-768-1280 for Kernersville, NC.