Acne Specialist
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Orange Coast Dermatology
Medical, Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology and Laser Specialist located in Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange, & Mission Viejo, CA
You might associate acne with adolescence, but you can develop blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples at any age. The team at Orange Coast Dermatology in Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange, and Mission Viejo, California, offers personalized treatments to help you get rid of acne and maintain a clear, healthy complexion. If you’re troubled by acne, call Orange Coast Dermatology or schedule an appointment online today for expert dermatological care.
Acne Q&A
What is acne?
Acne is a prevalent skin condition that develops when your hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. The team at Orange Coast Dermatology diagnose and treat the four common types of acne:
Comedone acne
Comedone acne includes blackheads and whiteheads and is most common during adolescence. It ranges in severity and can affect the skin on your forehead, nose, cheeks, back, chest, and shoulders.
Papular acne
Papular acne causes inflamed, red pimples that don’t contain any pus. This type of acne usually precedes pustular acne.
Pustular acne
Pustular acne is similar to papular acne, but your pimples are pus-filled. Your pimples might have whiteheads.
Nodulocystic acne
Nodulocystic acne causes inflamed nodules to form under the surface of your skin. It’s the most severe type of acne and can develop on your face, neck, chest, back, or shoulders.
What causes acne?
There is much conjecture about the causes of acne. However, the three most common causes of acne include hormonal imbalances, clogged glands and pores, and bacteria. If you have a family history of acne, you have a higher chance of developing it.
Your skin produces oil to keep it moisturized — acne forms when oil gets trapped in a hair follicle or pore with dead skin cells and bacteria. Bacteria leads to infection and irritation, causing red swollen pimples.
How do you treat acne?
The team at Orange Coast Dermatology begins with a thorough skin consultation and exam. They diagnose your acne, review your skincare routine, and other lifestyle details, then create customized treatment plans to heal your skin and get rid of your acne.
Skin hygiene
The team recommends washing your face at least twice a day with an appropriate cleanser and using moisturizers and sunscreens. Many patients use soaps that are too harsh and strip oils from their skin, which can worsen your acne.
Your provider might recommend light therapy or chemical peels to enhance your at-home skincare routine.
Topical medications
In some cases, your provider might prescribe a topical or oral medication to reduce the bacteria on your skin. These medications reduce your risk of infection and can prevent your pores from becoming clogged.
Oral isotretinoin
If you have severe acne that doesn’t respond to other treatments, the team might prescribe oral isotretinoin. These drugs are derivatives of vitamin A. They work by shrinking the sebaceous (oil) glands in your skin and reducing the amount of oil produced.
Why suffer from inflamed, acne covered skin? Call Orange Coast Dermatology or book an appointment online today for expert, customized treatment for acne.
