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Acne

Conveniently located to serve Nashua, NH

Acne is a chronic, frustrating condition, but very treatable skin disorder. It happens as a result of hair follicles becoming plugged with dead skin cells and oil which leads to the development of pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads. It can also result from excessive sebum production, inflammation, or bacterial infection. Sometimes, acne is also triggered by stress, specific medications, hormonal changes, and diet. 

Whatever the cause, acne can have a massive impact on people’s psychological wellbeing. It can cause some to be embarrassed about their appearance and make it difficult for them to go out or interact in social gatherings.   

While acne can be difficult to deal with, the good news is that it’s a skin disorder that can be treated. Acne treatment can be successful with the right combination of topical and sometimes oral medications, as well as a proper skin care regimen. Each acne patient is unique, and we will work closely with you to develop a successful, tailored treatment plan. Close follow-up is essential to your success and we are committed to you until your acne is clear. 

Treatments for Acne

Our range of remedies can help you find relief from severe acne. These include:

• Topicals –

  these include retinoids, creams, salicylic acid gels, washes, and antibiotics. 

• Oral Antibiotics –

  these are used for the management of moderate to severe acne where the condition isn’t improving with topical treatments. This is also apt when the acne is spread over a large surface area of the body. 

• Isotretinoin (Accutane) –

  this is an oral medication being utilized for the treatment of severe acne. 85% of patients report a massive improvement after treatment course of 4 to 6 months. This isn’t appropriate for pregnant women as patients need to adhere to birth control rules when they’re on this medication. It is however, the best course of action for those whose acne is unresponsive to other forms of treatment.

You’ll also be given recommendations for other products to use on your skin, including makeup, moisturizers, cleansers, and sunscreen. These recommendations will be tailored to suit your skin type and the medicines prescribed to you, so you won’t have to worry about adverse reactions arising from the interaction of different products you’re using.

You’ll also get to know about the different ways that you can look after your skin better and get guidance on tips for managing acne.

Acne Treatment Q & A

• What is acne?

  Acne is an extremely common inflammatory skin condition that causes pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and deeper cysts. It typically erupts on the face, chest, neck, back, and shoulders. Acne, which most often starts in puberty, affects about 85% of individuals between the ages of 12 and 24, although adults in their 30s and 40s often suffer from acne as well. Untreated, acne can result in permanent scarring.

• What causes acne?

  Acne is caused by a variety of factors, most commonly; hormones, heredity, and stress. It occurs when overactive oil glands produce an excess of oil that combines with dead skin cells to clog pores. Clogged pores in turn cause bacteria to multiply, leading to inflamed acne pimples. Sun exposure can exacerbate the condition and make the red marks left by acne call post-inflammatory erythema, worse. It dries the skin, which may initially clear up acne, but also stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. This causes acne to reoccur, and more severely than before. Harsh cleansers, picking, and inappropriate makeup and moisturizers can likewise exacerbate acne.

• What acne treatments does Waldman Plastic Surgery and Dermatology offer?

  We treat Acne in patients of all ages! We offer several acne remedies. Our providers customize plans to each patient. Approaches used include:

  • Topicals. These are typically the first-line treatment and include: antibiotics, retinoids, or salicylic acid gels, creams and washes. Commonly prescribed medications include Differin, Tretinoin, BenzaClin, and EpiDuo.
  • Oral antibiotics. Oral antibiotics are frequently used to manage moderate to severe acne, acne that is resistant to topical treatments or covers a large surface area. Common oral antibiotics include: Doxycycline, Minocycline, and Keflex. We always encourage taking a probiotic when taking oral antibiotics and using them for as short a course as possible.
  • Isotretinoin (Accutane). This is another oral medication approved to treat severe cystic acne. Isotretinoin has been used for over 35 years and improves acne for about 85% of patients, after a four to six-month treatment course. Isotretinoin can’t be prescribed to pregnant patients, and women who are prescribed this medication must follow strict birth control rules. The risk of a baby developing severe birth defects is high in patients taking this medication. Monthly lab monitoring is required. This medication is very successful in treating those patients unresponsive to all other acne treatments.

  Skincare recommendations to include cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreens and makeup. Our providers can recommend products that we carry to include ZO Medical and Elta MD as well as over-the-counter products to use in conjunction with your prescribed medications to ensure you are using products that are appropriate for your skin condition.

  

Call Waldman Plastic Surgery and Dermatology today to schedule your consultation! We are here to help.