Acne and its Aftermath: Can Damage be Prevented or Reversed?

Healthy, glowing skin seems effortless for so many people, but what happens when acne breakouts get in your way? We all expect to get a few pimples when we are teenagers, but adult acne can be stressful and frustrating for many. In fact, the American Academy of Dermatologists has found that an increasing number of women in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond are experiencing acne breakouts. It is estimated that 40 to 50 million people in the United States experience acne. To that end, June has been designated as Acne Awareness Month!

For teenagers, acne tends to be hormonal and associated with overactive oil glands. It often shows up on the face, chest, back, and shoulders. Before the age of 15, acne appears as small, flesh colored bumps. Inflamed acne starts a few years later, typically around the ages of 14 or 15. Adult acne, which is considered after the age of 24 for women and 22 for men, typically appears on the lower face, chin, and jawline. Adult acne breakouts tend to be more inflamed, red, and last longer (around 1-2 weeks). It often occurs when clogged pores are mixed with the bacteria P. Acnes. The causes of adult acne are complex: gut health, hormone imbalances, food sensitivities, medications, and more can have an effect on adult acne. Often, breakouts can lead to unwanted scarring that lingers long after the lesion has resolved.

Does it feel like you’ve exhausted all your options? Like you have tried every over-the-counter cleanser or spot treatment without relief of acne breakouts? Well, the first step to resolving and preventing acne breakouts is developing a consistent, effective skincare routine. It is important to ensure that you are using high quality, medical-grade skin care products consistently. These products have been tested, trialed, and recommended by physicians, so you know that they are going to be safe and effective. It is also important to wear a daily sunscreen to prevent the darkening of acne scars. Our team at ARTisan Skin and Laser Center can help you create a customized skincare regimen that can help you treat and prevent acne breakouts, as well as lighten scarring.

There are many treatments available to help treat and prevent acne breakouts as well as help resolve the pigment concerns associated with these breakouts. 

• Forever Clear BBL is a treatment that utilizes blue, yellow, and infrared light to target the sebaceous glands and remove acne-causing bacteria. As an added benefit, the light also stimulates your skin cells to regenerate, leaving you with healthy, clear, young looking skin.
• Microneedling with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) uses hair-fine needles to cause microtrauma to the skin, in turn stimulating the collagen needed to smooth out the skin’s appearance. At ARTisan Skin and Laser Center, we combine microneedling treatments with PRP applied topically throughout the treatment. This helps accelerate the collagen and elastin stimulation as well as expedite healing time.
• Diamond Glow is a skin-resurfacing treatment that combines exfoliation, extraction, and infusion of condition-specific serums to improve skin health, function and appearance. It can target acne-prone skin, hyperpigmentation, and redness.
• Chemical peels are a great option for patients with mild-to moderate skin unevenness as a result of acne scarring.

Even if you are suffering from acne well into adulthood, it does not have to be a life sentence. We at ARTisan Skin and Laser Center are passionate about helping you find the best ways to correct your skin concerns. If you have questions about whether any of these treatments are right for you, please contact us to meet with our team!