All About Acne

Jeffrey Sassmannshausen, MD

Acne is a medical condition, not a rite of passage. There is a common misconception that acne is a struggle everyone must endure. We all gets pimples, right?! Yes, but that does not mean acne shouldn’t be taken seriously. Acne affects each individual differently and, therefore, must be treated accordingly. There are a multitude of acne treatment regimens to help you achieve clear, beautiful, healthy skin.

Quality of life?

Important questions to ask when deciding if it is time to treat acne should also include how acne makes you feel. Does it influence mood, activities, assertiveness, or confidence? If one answers yes to any of these questions, the time is NOW to see a dermatologist and get started on treatment.

Risk of depression and suicide?

Acne can and does, in fact, increase risk of depression and suicide. Appearance plays a large part in self-esteem and how we interact with those around us. It is important to remember that acne can be as much of a struggle on the inside as it is on the outside and should always be taken seriously.

Home care:

Washing your face with a gentle cleanser and moisturizer is incredibly important in a routine. Consistency is key! We have many treatment options for acne, but if skin is not taken care of properly on a daily basis, the regimen (which will be as simple as we can possibly make it) becomes less effective. Additionally, we cannot stress enough to NEVER PICK YOUR PIMPLES!

Common misconceptions:

Alcohol is not a good thing to rub on your face. This can result in increased drying of the face, causing rebound oiliness as your skin is ‘told’ to increase its oil production. Being dry is not necessarily a good thing when it comes to acne. Additionally, overexfoliating can be extremely irritating if done too frequently. Exfoliation once a week is more than enough.

Should you believe everything you see on social media?

Regarding many of the products we see on social media, for example Proactiv and Rodan&Fields, there is minimal science behind either of these acne systems. Yes, they may use some ‘effective ingredients’ to promote their product line, but be wary as these may be harsh and/or diluted, rendering them ineffective, likely doing more damage to your skin than helping. It will also prevent you from seeing the dermatologist who will give you medicines scientifically proven to be effective for treating acne. Proactiv MD is the only product from Proactiv that has a retinoid, which acts as a preventor of acne. The best thing that can be said about the products is that they are sold as ‘systems’ and help to establish a routine.

Treatments & Prescriptions:

Like a custom tailored suit, acne treatment regimens are customized to the type of acne we are dealing with. It is our job to get the right regimen for you! It is important to take these medications as directed, unless otherwise specified by the dermatologist. If you have issues or questions about the medicine, you should always call and clarify use.

Non-prescriptions: In addition to following prescription medications and proper skin care routine, non-prescription treatments such as facials, peels, and sunscreen can help to maximize improvement of acne. Sunscreen, first and foremost, is our best defense to protect skin from further damage from the sun. Facials are an excellent way to give skin an extra boost of hydration, decongest pores, and decrease the inflammation we see with acne. Peels, especially when used in combination with facials, help to increase the benefits we see with medication use. In addition, we now have an oral supplement that has been shown to improve acne. Even acne that is quite inflammatory can be calmed using Skin Accumax. Studies of these supplements have shown significant clearance in the skin after 14 weeks. Just ask one of the skin care specialists at Windy Ridge Skin Care Centre.

Call the office to start the Clear and Confident Acne Program now to start the journey towards clearer skin.

(260) 436-9696