Acne Treatment

Acne Treatment in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, Pittsboro & Sanford, NC

Acne is one of the most common skin problems in the US. Acne isn’t just a rite of passage that happens to teens. We’ve seen everyone from children to older adults still dealing with acne that impacts their health and appearance and makes them feel self-conscious. If this is you, our dermatologists at Central Dermatology Center can provide you with a customized plan to get your acne under control. 

When to See a Dermatologist

Seeing a dermatologist just because you have acne isn't always necessary. Of course, there are certainly moments when you should call us, such as:

• If you’ve never actually been diagnosed with acne
• If acne is getting worse even with at-home care
• If you have severe acne or inflammatory or cystic acne
• If acne isn’t responding with treatment
• If your acne is impacting your self-esteem and quality of life

Acne Products Take Time to Work

It’s essential to remember that any acne product you use, whether over-the-counter or prescription, takes time to work. There are no miracle treatments or quick fixes when it comes to acne. It’s important to give even your at-home acne products up to 12 weeks to be fully effective. If you don’t see results after that, it’s time to try something else.

We Need to Find Out What’s Causing Your Acne

It’s important to understand that there are different reasons why you may be dealing with acne. Figuring out the cause of your acne is our number one priority, as this will determine the most effective treatment options to reduce the severity and frequency of your breakouts. Our team can help you with this when you come in for a consultation.

Causes of Acne

Acne can develop because excess oil, debris, and bacteria are clogging up your pores. It can also develop from bacteria causing an infection on your skin. Acne breakouts can also happen because of hormonal changes occurring during puberty.

Who Suffers From Acne?

Acne is a common problem for teenagers and young adults, but adults can be affected too.

What Acne Looks Like

Acne can form as small black spots, which are known as blackheads. Whiteheads are another type of acne which appear as raised white bumps. The most serious and painful type of acne is cystic acne which appears as large, pus-filled cysts. Acne blemishes typically appear on your face, neck, chest, shoulders, and back.

How You Can Prevent Acne

• Exercise regularly which helps remove toxins and dirt from your body
• Practice stress reduction techniques to reduce acne breakouts
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily to flush toxins from your body
• Clean and disinfect your cell phone regularly to prevent toxins from transferring to your face.
• Use non-comedogenic makeup to prevent pore blockage
• Change your pillowcase at least weekly to help keep your face clean
• Try not to touch your face to avoid transferring bacteria and dirt to your face

Treating Your Acne

Those with minor acne breakouts can often get their symptoms under control with simple at-home cleansers and other products; however, our dermatologists can prescribe stronger cleansers and even topical medications to help target acne-causing bacteria. Common topical acne treatments include:

• Retinoids
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Salicylic acid
• Azelaic Acid
• Dapsone

Depending on the severity of the acne, our dermatologist may recommend:

• Prescription topical or oral antibiotics to kill the underlying bacteria causing skin infection. This treatment is especially helpful for cystic acne.
• Prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide products help to unblock pores. This treatment is an excellent choice to treat blackheads and whiteheads. 
• Tretinoin medications work to unblock pores. This treatment is an excellent choice for severe cases of acne. 
• Laser therapy uses heat and light energy to kill underlying bacteria causing skin infections. 
• Extraction treatment to entirely remove blackheads and whiteheads.

If you're dealing with acne and want to discuss your treatment options, contact Central Dermatology Center with offices in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, Pittsboro & Sanford, NC. Call (919) 401-1994 today to schedule a consultation!