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, Dr. John Southard, and Dr. Jenny Lee Stone, 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.

Acne is one of the most common and yet one of the most challenging skin problems people face. We know how frustrating it can be to try one over-the-counter acne product after another, thinking you are giving your skin everything it needs to combat acne and then suddenly the acne returns. What’s going on? If you find yourself struggling to find the perfect formula and treatment options for getting clearer skin a dermatologist will be able to help.

From children to teens to adults, anyone can develop acne. Of course, when we think about acne we do often think about those adolescent years; however, dermatologists also see a lot of adults that are still dealing with different forms of acne. When you come in for a skincare consultation a skin doctor will perform a thorough physical exam. From there we may ask you a series of questions regarding your skin care regime, lifestyle and habits, as this will provide some insight into what could be triggering your acne symptoms.

After your consultation is complete we will create a customized treatment plan that will cater to addressing the source of your acne symptoms; fortunately, today there are so many different treatment options out there. A dermatologist will most often recommend different strategies for handling your acne. These options may include,

Treatments that you place directly on your skin

Many of your acne treatments can be applied right on your skin to reduce both acne-causing bacteria and oil. Popular topical acne medications often contain salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or retinoids. Your dermatologist will determine the topical treatment that will work best for your skin.

Treatment that is systemic and works throughout the body

Sometimes it’s necessary to systemically treat acne, particularly if it’s causing serious redness or swelling. By taking pills such as antibiotics, birth control pills or isotretinoin (the best course of action for severe acne), we can reduce both of these symptoms while also preventing acne breakouts.

Different dermatological treatments that can reduce or even get rid of acne

There are also some in-office treatment options available from your skin doctor that can help eliminate acne-causing bacteria and even get rid of blackheads and whiteheads. These common procedures include:

• Laser or light therapy

• Chemical peels

• Extractions

• Dermabrasion (to reduce the appearance of superficial acne scars)

Know that you aren’t alone when it comes to treating acne and a dermatologist can help you get your skin clearer. It’s important to be patient when it comes to acne treatment, as it can take several weeks to see results. Talk to a dermatologist today about how they can help you.