Dermatologists at Westgate Dermatology and Laser Center, located in Kernersville, Thomasville and Winston Salem, NC, understands what it means to have acne. About 5% of adults and 80% of adolescents suffer from acne, which can cripple an individual's confidence.

More About Acne

Secretions from the sebaceous glands provide much needed skin moisture it needs. Naturally, sebum, the oily secretion from the sebaceous glands, moves from the root of the hair follicle to the top. Sebum doesn't reach the surface of skin and creates a blockage consisting of sebum and dead cells when people suffer from acne.

Whiteheads are formed when the opening of the hair follicle is completely blocked. Blackheads, on the other hand, are formed when the hair follicle's pore is still open. The inflammation of whiteheads and blackheads can produce red pustules that, when inflamed, lead to the scarring of the skin.

Acne Treatment Options

Modern-day dermatology aids in acne treatment. Your Kernersville, Thomasville and Winston Salem dermatologist can provide you with some techniques to help treat your problems:

• Mild acne requires Benzoyl Peroxide to reduce blockage of skin pores.
• Antibiotics, both oral and topical, may be important to prevent hair follicle infections.
• Tretinoin, a source of Vitamin A, helps exfoliate blocked pores.
• Whiteheads and blackheads are manually removed using metal instruments.

Acne Scars

It's difficult to keep your skin healthy, even if you wash every day. You may still develop acne and acne scars. Modern technology has several techniques to help reduce or eliminate those scars.

Here are some procedures your dermatologist provides:

• Microneedling
• Chemical peels
• Laser Skin Treatment

Need a consultation?

For more information on acne, acne scars and the various acne treatments, don't hesitate to call your Westgate Dermatology and Laser Center dermatologist in Kernersville (336) 768-1280, Thomasville (336) 714-0238 and Winston Salem (336) 768-1280, NC, today.

Anyone who has ever walked through the skincare aisle of their local drugstore knows that there are tons of acne-fighting products on the market. So, which one is right for you? Should you opt for an acne cleanser or spot treatment, or both? Choosing the right acne treatment can be challenging, to say the least.

While acne is a common problem among teenagers, many people don’t just leave acne behind the minute they toss out those graduation caps. In fact, many adults well into their 20s, 30s and beyond still deal with regular acne outbreaks. So, how do you properly treat acne? There is no singular way to treat acne and the best treatment option for you and your skin will depend on the cause. While you might not know what’s to blame for your acne symptoms a dermatologist certainly can help.

Treating Acne on Your Own

If you are dealing with mild to moderate acne, look for products that contain these powerful acne-fighting ingredients:

• Salicylic acid
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Glycolic acid
• Sulfur
• Retinol

How a Dermatologist Treats Acne

If you’ve tried over-the-counter acne products for more than 12 weeks and aren’t seeing results, or if you are experiencing severe, deep or cystic acne then it’s time to turn to a skin care professional for help. The first thing your dermatologist will do is determine the cause of your acne. From there, one or more of these treatments may be recommended:

Prescription topical medications: Certain topical medications act as an anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory, which reduces redness and inflammation associated with acne while also removing acne-causing bacteria from the surface of the skin.

A simple extraction: You should never pick at your acne or try to pop a pimple on your own, as you could end up causes further irritation or scarring; however, a dermatologist knows the safest and most effective techniques for extracting blackheads and whiteheads safely.

Birth control pills: For women who notice breakouts that correspond to their menstrual cycle, certain birth control pills may be able to reduce the amount of androgen hormones, which in turn can reduce breakouts. Talk to your dermatologist about the birth control pills that are FDA approved to treat acne.

Isotretinoin: This is an extremely intense oral retinoid that is used for treating severe, cystic acne that isn’t responsive to other treatment options. Isotretinoin is better known as Accutane, and this treatment can take up to nine months to see full results. Some patients will require multiple courses of treatment. Due to the nature of this strong medication, there are some possible side effects. It is important to discuss these side effects with your dermatologist before beginning Isotretinoin.

If you are having trouble getting your acne under control it’s important that you have a dermatologist that you can turn to for customized care. Take control of your acne once and for all.

Discover helpful acne-fighting tips and trick to achieve clearer skin.

You’re trying to find the right way to get your acne under control, right? Well, there are certainly so many options out there that it can be a bit daunting. First and foremost, if you are just starting to deal with acne then you may want to tackle the issue from the comfort of your own home before turning to a dermatologist for help.

At-Home Treatment Options

The first line of defense is usually to try an over-the-counter acne cleanser or topical cream that contains an active ingredient such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. It’s important to be patient when it comes to seeing results. No acne product will work overnight. In fact, it can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks of consistent use before you start to notice results from commercial acne products, so don’t give up on a product too soon.

Other tips to follow include:

• Cleaning your smartphone with disinfectant wipes at lease once a day (imagine just how much bacteria your phone picks up everyday).
• Washing your face twice a day, once in the morning and at night before bedtime, and immediately after sweating.
• Being gentle with your skin. Harsh scrubs and being aggressive won’t get rid of acne; it will actually just make it worse.
• Using cosmetic products that won’t clog pores (look for words like “non-comedogenic” or “oil free”)
• Leaving acne alone (do not pick acne or try to extract it yourself, as this can lead to scarring)
• Washing pillowcases regularly to get rid of pore-clogging bacteria

When to See a Dermatologist

If you are having trouble getting your acne under control after weeks of trial and error, or if your acne is severe and painful then it’s time to enlist the help of a dermatologist who will be able to provide you with more effective strategies for getting rid of your acne. After all, there are different things that can cause acne and it’s important that your skin doctor figures out what’s causing your acne so that they can create the right treatment plan for you.

Dermatologist-Approved Acne Treatment Options

Depending on what’s causing your breakouts, a dermatologist may recommend these treatment options:

• Topical treatment: Prescription-strength cleansers, ointments, and creams containing glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids can target and eliminate acne.
• Topical or oral antibiotics: Antibiotics can reduce inflammation and kill the bacteria responsible for acne.
• Oral contraceptives: If you are dealing with breakouts that occur around your menstrual cycle then hormonal fluctuations could be causing your acne. There are certain types of birth control pills that have been FDA approved to fight acne.
• Isotretinoin: More commonly referred to as Accutane, this powerful oral medication is used for those dealing with severe cystic acne that can lead to deep scarring. This is often recommended when other treatment options haven’t been effective.

Have questions about getting your acne under control? Then it’s time to consult with a dermatologist.

Find the solution that will finally help you manage your acne symptoms.

Acne is one of the most common complaints for patients of all ages. While some people may just let the issue run its course, our Winston-Salem, NC, dermatologists Dr. Paul Kostuchenko and Dr. John Southard, understand that many people want to nip their acne in the bud. Luckily, there are many ways in which to do this—read below to learn more!

At-Home Care

Your habits and lifestyle can play a major role in the health of your skin. If you are prone to breakouts here are some tips to reduce your acne symptoms,

• Stay hydrated
• Using acne-fighting cleansers and at-home products
• Wash with warm (not hot) water
• Wash your face twice a day
• Use an exfoliant
• Be gentle with your skin
• Don’t pick at your skin
• Use sunscreen daily
• Clean your cell phone screen regularly to remove germs
• Use oil-free hair and styling products

Dermatologist-Recommended Treatments

If your acne requires more aggressive care, then our dermatologists can provide a wide variety of treatment options to help you get your acne under control. Of course, it’s important to understand that treating acne is a process that takes time. Acne cannot be cured overnight, no matter how effective a product might be. It will take several weeks to see if the medication or product is helping your breakouts. Common acne treatments include,

• Extractions
• Topical treatments (e.g. retinoid)
• Salicylic acid or azelaic acid
• Antibiotics
• Oral contraceptives (for women dealing with hormonal acne)
• Isotretinoin (for severe cystic and inflammatory acne)
• Laser therapy
• Chemical peels

When to See a Dermatologist

Are you wondering if it’s time to call our Winston-Salem, NC, skin doctor about your acne issues? Here’s when you should turn to a doctor for care,

• Your acne isn’t responding to at-home treatments or is getting worse
• You have severe acne (e.g. inflammatory or cystic acne)
• You are feeling depressed or embarrassed by your acne

While you may want to try simple over-the-counter and DIY treatments to see if your acne responds to it first, if they aren’t working for you or if your acne is too severe for these milder treatments, then it’s time to see a dermatologist who can create a customized and more effective treatment plan.

Struggling with Acne? Give Us a Call!

Westgate Dermatology and Laser Center has offices in Winston-Salem and Thomasville, NC, to serve you better. Call one of our offices today at either (336) 768-1280 for Winston Salem and (336) 714-0238 for Thomasville.