Acne Treatments

Blackheads, whiteheads and pimples are all examples of acne, a common skin problem that affects people of various ages. While acne can sometimes be treated and managed with over-the-counter products, more severe cases often require treatment from a dermatologist. The Berman Skin Institute offers multiple acne treatment options. 

What Is Acne?

Acne is a skin condition that develops when oil clogs the pores or openings in the skin. The condition can take several forms, including:

• Blackheads: Blackheads form when the clog in a pore reaches the skin’s surface and opens. Blackheads look dark against the skin because of discoloration of the sebum (or oil), not because of dirt buildup.
• Whiteheads: Whiteheads form when the clog in the pore stays under the skin’s surface. A white bump develops over the clogged pore.
• Pimples: Pimples are inflamed bumps on the skin that are filled with yellow or white pus. They are often red beneath the pus.
• Papules: Papules are inflamed bumps that are pink or red. Unlike pimples, they do not contain pus.
• Nodules: Nodules are large, deep skin lesions that are often painful.
• Cysts: Cysts, or severe nodules, are pus-filled, deep and painful lesions.

Acne most often affects the skin with the highest concentration of functional oil glands, such as the face, neck, chest, back and shoulders.

What Causes Acne?

Pimples and other types of acne form when the pores or hair follicles on the skin become clogged. Several factors can contribute to acne:

• Excess oil production
• Bacteria on the skin
• Dead skin cells
• Inflammation 

Hormone fluctuations can often trigger acne — particularly testosterone, an androgen hormone.

Who Gets Acne?

The hormonal changes associated with puberty and adolescence often trigger acne breakouts, which is why many people associate pimples with teenagers.

However, adults can get acne, too, even decades past their adolescence. While teenage acne is more common in males, adult acne is more common in women. Women who get acne are likely to notice breakouts during their menstrual cycles or while pregnant.

Certain triggers can make breakouts more likely, such as some types of medications or using lotions or beauty products that clog pores. High humidity and environmental pollution can also trigger acne. 

What Causes Adult Acne?

Many people think their acne will clear up after adolescence, only to discover it continues into adulthood. Others may have never broken out as teenagers but find themselves with acne as adults.

Adult acne is caused by the same factors that cause acne in adolescence:

• Inflammation
• Bacteria
• Clogged pores
• Excess oil production

In adults, acne can also be exacerbated by several factors, such as:

• Hormone fluctuations — particularly around the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy
• High stress levels
• Skin and hair care products
• Medications — including hormonal birth control, corticosteroids and lithium

Acne can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition in adults, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome.

What Are Acne Treatment Options?

People with mild cases of acne may see improvement in their skin with at-home treatments, such as using a product with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. 

A more severe case of acne, or acne that doesn’t respond to at-home treatments, often requires treatment from a dermatologist. Berman Skin Institute offers several acne treatment options overseen by our dermatologists: