Acne
![Acne treatment, Illinois]()
How does a dermatologist diagnose acne?
To diagnose your acne, a dermatologist first needs to examine your skin and determine if you have acne, ensuring that you are not affected by some other skin condition. If you have been diagnosed with acne, the dermatologist will then grade your acne based on a scale from mild (one) to severe (seven), noting which type of acne you have, and how it appears on your skin.
Not all acne treatments work on everyone, however, virtually every case of acne can be controlled. Those who have mild blemishes often try over the counter products. These products typically contain either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid and will aid in clearing up your skin. Unfortunately, acne treatments take time, with the average treatment taking anywhere from 4-8 weeks before you may see any improvements.
Acne can affect both males and females in a variety of ages from preteens into adulthood. There's various types of acne that we see in our clinic, such as Comedonal acne, inflammatory, or cystic, and hormonal based acne. There's a lot of different options that we have from using the proper cleansers, moisturizers, topical medications, oral antibiotics, birth control, or another hormonal based option, which is called spironolactone. In severe cases, we may discuss something called AVI Clear, which is a laser treatment for acne as well as something called Accutane. All of these can be discussed at length with your healthcare provider to find which option would be best fit for you.
Determining when to visit Dermatology Specialists of Illinois
If you are experiencing an excessive amount of blackheads, pimples, pustules, cysts, or nodules, non-prescription medicine may not work. Visit with your dermatologist in order to determine which type of treatment may be more effective for you.
Topical Treatments – Many acne treatments are applied directly to your skin as a prescribed topical ointment. With topical treatments, the bacteria that are building up on your skin will be killed off, and the oils on your skin will be reduced. These topical ointments will contain an anti-inflammatory, retinoid, an antibiotic, salicylic, acid or a prescribed benzoyl peroxide, depending on your particular case.
Oral Treatments – Oral treatment may be necessary if your acne is red or swollen. In order to treat cysts and nodules, your dermatologist will often prescribe antibiotics that not only kill off bacteria, but can also reduce the inflammation that comes with acne.
Often, an oral antibiotic and topical ointments will be used in combination in order to treat certain forms of acne. In very refractory cases, a drug called isotretinoin is used with excellent results. This drug is often referred to by its original branded name, “Accutane”.
Clear up your Acne by treating the root cause of the breakouts : Vik Khanna
If you are someone from pre-teen to a young age of twenties, and you are suffering from Acne or Acne vulgaris, Dr. Vik Khanna from Dermatology Specialists of Illions explains what types of antibiotics can be taken for these skin issues. Watch the video to learn more about antibiotics and treatments for acne.
So, acne is a pretty complicated skin disease or skin condition. For younger patients that's our typical team patients that develop acne and when I say teen patients’ teenage acne or acne vulgaris effects anywhere of someone from preteens all the way up to young people in their early 20s. For that group if they have more inflammatory lesions things that are like lesions that are more succulent where there's more of a pustule or more of an inflammatory raised bump area, for those patients we often use oral antibiotics. It's a first-line therapy come combined with topical medications as well. If the acne is more blackheads and whiteheads we may recommend a combination of chemical peel topical prescription medication, therapeutic cleansers and is sometimes facial to treat those. For very severe cases that are refractory to other therapies in this group. We will recommend isotretinoin commonly referred to by its previous brand name Accutane. Isotretinoin therapy takes five months on average, can deliver permanent results for the patient and is when monitored and delivered properly a very safe and effective therapy.
Which procedures are offered to treat acne?
There are a variety of other procedures that dermatologists will use to treat acne as well. Be sure to speak with your dermatology specialist in order to determine the right treatment for your specific case.
Intralesional Steroidal injections – Carefully placed injections of medication rapidly deflate large zits.
Lasers and Light Therapies – These devices can be used to help reduce the acne bacteria on your skin.
Chemical Peels – There are two types of gentle
chemical peels used to treat acne blackheads, whiteheads and papules.
Acne Surgery – This form of treatment is performed in order to extract blackheads or to remove a large acne cyst by draining. This is an effective treatment for cysts that do not go away with the treatment of oral and/or topical medicines. This form of treatment is helpful to relieve any pain associated with the cyst, as well as preventing scarring.
Facials – When properly done with the correct products, facials can improve mild to moderate acne.
Results
Since acne does not clear up on its own, the proper treatment is necessary. Untreated acne can leave you with permanent scarring, and often results in low self-esteem and depression. Dermatologists may recommend lower-dose maintenance treatments after the acne has been cleared up, which will help to prevent potential breakouts in the future.
Call Dermatology Specialists of Illinois at (844) 307-7546 to schedule a consultation.
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