Acne

Acne is a troublesome skin condition that affects millions of Americans. Although it is usually associated with adolescence and puberty, it’s actually a very common problem for adults as well. Some individuals may experience acne breakouts once in a while, but can’t seem to achieve clear skin on a regular basis. Others deal with acne every single day, without reprieve. Whatever your situation may be, with effective acne treatment that is customized for the patient, American Skin Institute providers can help you heal current acne and reduce future outbreak occurrences.

before acne treatment

Here’s what you must understand first; acne isn’t your fault. It’s caused by biological processes in your body over which you don’t have much inherent control. Because many acne treatments focus on cleansing the skin, some individuals believe that poor hygiene is the problem. However, the core issue has to do with hormones in your body, and how they affect oil production in the skin. At American Skin Institute, our providers understand these processes very well, and can create custom acne treatment solutions for you specific skin needs.

how acne forms

Although there are many different types of acne, most breakouts follow a similar process; pores become clogged due to too much sebum and debris, which creates optimal breeding grounds for bacteria. This leads to inflammation, and bumps on the skin. Some of the most basic reasons behind acne include;

• Hormonal changes: Hormones play a big role in the development of breakouts, and are the reason why so many teenagers develop the problem. However, pregnant women also tend to get acne, as well as adults with hormonal imbalances. This happens because increases in levels of certain hormones boost activity of sebaceous glands, which leads to buildup of comedones within pores. Cleansing the pores is an effective acne treatment option, because it clears the pathways for sebaceous glands to expel the sebum and increases oxygen penetration, which kills bacteria.

• Inefficient skin shedding: Another reason for the development of acne has to do with the shedding of skin cells. In an individual with healthy skin, dead skin cells are expelled efficiently, without becoming stuck in pores. However, the combination of excess sebum and slower shedding of cells can also cause the pores to become clogged. In such cases, products based on Vitamin A (like retinol) may be an effective acne treatment option, as well as chemical peels.

• Cystic Acne: At American Skin Institute, we see many patients with severe acne, where topical treatments are no longer effective. In these cases, the clogging of the sebaceous glands become so severe that the glands literally rupture under the skin, a condition often referred to as cystic acne. In such serious cases, the best acne treatment may be oral medication that attacks the breakouts from within.

acne treatment options

Here at American Skin Institute we understand the vicious cycle of acne very well, and the psychological havoc it can wreak on an individual’s self esteem and confidence. Over the years, we’ve treated many patients dealing with this problem, and have refined numerous acne treatment techniques to help patients get rid of breakouts for the long term.

With a combination of acne treatment options like chemical peels, topical medication, acne extractions, and laser treatments, we help patients get their breakouts under control. Of course, there are many different types of pimples, but through a careful analysis, we design a customized treatment plan for our patients, based on their skin condition, acne type, skin type, and ultimate goals. Further, in addition to specialized acne treatments, we can also help patients improve their at-home skin care routines, for maximum effectiveness.

Once the acne has subsided, we can improve the overall skin health by targeting any remaining acne scars with microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing treatments, or specialized chemical peels.

If you’d like to get your acne under control, please contact one of our dermatology practices in Sherman Oaks, Beverly Hills, or Westlake Village for a one-on-one acne treatment consultation. Or, simply fill out the form below to set up your appointment in just a few clicks.