Get Control of Your Acne

Get Control of Your Acne

re you struggling with recurring acne breakouts? Here at Shady Grove Dermatology in Rockville, MD, our team of five board-certified dermatologists treat adult acne, helping patients look and feel like themselves again. Read on to learn how we can help you manage your skin health, comfort, and appearance.

What exactly is acne?

Acne is a dermatological condition affecting 40 to 50 million Americans every year, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). While the majority of sufferers are adolescents, many acne patients are adults, as well.

Characterized by red papules and pustules, as well as whiteheads and blackheads, on the face, neck, shoulders and chest. acne begins in the sebaceous, or oil, glands and their associated hair follicles. Excess sebum gets trapped below the skin surface, causing the familiar acne pimples.

Unfortunately, acne is stubborn, unsightly, and can cause emotional distress. Fortunately, an expert skin exam at our Rockville office can lead to a customized skin care program that can get your acne under control.

Treating adult acne

Treatment involves normalizing skin appearance and limiting the number and severity of breakouts. Common interventions include:

• Benzoyl peroxide creams and ointments which reduce sebum production
• Vitamin A, or Tretinoin, which opens blocked hair follicles
• Hormone therapy (birth control pills)
• In-office extraction of large lesions
• Antibiotics if lesions are cystic and infected

Additionally, your skin doctor may recommend many at-home strategies to reduce the number of breakouts you experience. These interventions may include:

• Gently washing your face with your fingertips only twice a day and after working out
• Keeping your hair clean
• Never picking or squeezing acne pimples
• Reducing your intake of fatty/greasy foods
• Avoiding tanning (both sun exposure and tanning beds)
• Keeping your hands off your face, particularly when you have active lesions
• Reduce the amount of hair care products you use (they often contain a lot of oil)

Look and feel better

Phone Shady Grove Dermatology in Rockville, MD, today for a friendly consultation and plan of action for your adult acne issues: (240) 246-7417