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, 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.