Your acne continues to be a problem even though you're an adult. Mostly, the lesions are on your face, shoulders and neck, and while
flare-ups are less frequent now, you desire better control of your acne. At Southeast Dermatology in Pasadena and Houston, TX, our dermatologists see teens and adults struggling with this very common skin condition, and they can help you have clearer skin and feel better about yourself, too.
What causes acne?
Sebum, the thick substance produced in our skin's oil glands and hair follicles, is the ultimate trigger of acne. When these glands and follicles become clogged with sebum, characteristic acne lesions form. Many become infected or in extreme cases, are cystic and leave scars.
Common types of acne lesions are called whiteheads and blackheads. If these become pus-filled and infected, they redden, feel sore and are called papules and pustules.
While no one can define the exact causes of acne, some predisposing factors seem clear:
- Age (more teens suffer acne flare-ups)
- Stress
- Hard scrubbing of the face or picking and squeezing acne blemishes
- Pregnancy, puberty, menstruation and menopause
- Some medications, cosmetics and hair styling products
When you see your dermatologist about your acne, she will examine your skin carefully and ask about when your acne seems to worsen. Then, she will customize a care plan to give you the clearest skin possible.
Acne treatments
The American Academy of Family Physicians says that your dermatologist in Pasadena and Houston, TX, may recommend:
- Over the counter benzoyl peroxide (available in soaps, scrubs, pads and creams/gels/ointments)
- Prescription antibiotics (if infection is present)
- Tretinoin, a form of Vitamin A
- Surgical extraction (of deep cysts)
Regarding your at-home skin care regimen, our dermatologists urge patients to avoid vigorous facial scrubbing as this only irritates the skin. They also say not to pick or squeeze acne lesions because this causes additional irritation and infection. Finally, a well-balanced diet and adequate hydration benefits your skin whether you have problems with acne or not.
Find out more
You can control your acne rather than having it control you, and Southeast Dermatology can help. For a consultation, contact our team at (281) 991-5944 for the Pasadena office. For the Houston location, phone (281) 481-0033.