Acne

Arizona Acne Dermatologist

Also known as Cystic Acne, Teenage Acne, Adult Acne, Acne Rosacea, Pimples, Cysts, Zits, Whiteheads, Red Face, Blackheads, Nodules, Scars

Condition Overview

Acne is a skin condition characterized by plugged pores, red pimples, nodules and cysts which can result in scarring.
There are many types of acne:

  • Cystic Acne is deep “pus-filled” lumps on the skin.
  • Teenage Acne is formed by testosterone, a hormone present in males and females, which stimulates the sebaceous glands of the skin to enlarge, produce oil, and plug the pores causing whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples.
  • Adult Acne may be related to hormones, childbirth, or menopause.
  • Acne Rosacea is acne associated with Rosacea.

Causes:

Acne is caused by different factors:

  • Genetics
  • Hormones
  • Mechanical or frictional factors such as a football player’s helmet strap
  • Occlusive oils that lead to plugged pores

Symptoms of Acne

Red, painful pustules, pimples, or nodules and excessive whiteheads or blackheads.

Treatments

  • Topical Medications: Creams, gels or lotions such as Benzoyl Peroxide, Retinoids (Retin-A®, Differin) Fineacea, Clindamycin, and accommodation products such as Duac gel or Benziclin gel
  • Oral Antibiotics: Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Minocycline, Clindamycin, Sulfa, Zithromycin
  • Oral Vitamin-A: Isotretinoin (formerly Accutane)
  • Hormonal Treatment: Birth control pills such as Yasmin® or Yaz®,  Orthotricycline or Orthotricycline Lo
  • Oral Water Pill: Spironolactone
  • Laser Treatment: Smoothbeam® Laser, Starlux® Fractional Laser to treat scarring
  • Photodynamic Therapy: Levulan plus Laser light
  • Acne Facial: A combination of a light glycolic peel and the extraction of blackheads and/or whiteheads from plugged pores

Before and After

Next, read about acne scarring.

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