Chances are, you’ll deal with acne at some point in your life. And while it may be easy to associate acne with adolescence or teenage years, some 54% of women and 40% of men experience symptoms after age 25.
While pimples, blackheads, and white heads aren’t dangerous, they can cause a range of bothersome issues, from skin irritation to embarrassment.
Thankfully, there’s a lot you can do to take care of your acne symptoms. If you aren’t able to manage them on your own, we’re here to help.
At Northstar Dermatology in North Richland Hills, Texas, our expert team of board-certified dermatologists provides customized treatments to reduce or do away with your acne symptoms, whether they’re on the mild-to-moderate side or severe and long-lasting.
Read on to learn more about acne management, including key components of an effective plan.
What causes acne flare-ups
No one knows exactly why some people are especially prone to acne. Once dead skin and oil clog your pores or hair follicles, your bacteria-infected pores grow inflamed, leading to redness, bumps, and more.
Acne often flares up during hormonal fluctuations, such as during puberty or menstruation. Certain cosmetics, environmental factors, and stress may also fuel your symptoms.
Effective acne management
The specifics of your acne management plan depends on factors like the severity and frequency of your symptoms, as well as your overall health. That’s why our Northstar Dermatology team creates personalized plans to meet your unique needs.
In general, an effective management plan for acne includes:
- Improved hygiene habits, such as cleansing well and avoiding oily products
- Oral or topical medication, as needed
- Follow-up care and support
Medications we may recommend include:
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Hormonal treatments
- Isotretinoin
- Oral and topical antibiotics
- Salicylic acid
- Tretinoin
Your skin may respond best to just one or a combination of these medications.
Taking your management further
Besides choosing non-oily skin products, you can help keep acne at bay with lifestyle changes such as protecting your skin from the sun, keeping items like your phone and tight collars away from your skin, and avoiding touching your most acne-prone areas.
Meanwhile, take a shower or cleanse your skin as soon as possible following workouts or other times you perspire. Aim to keep your skin clean and moisturized, but dry, as much as possible.
At Northstar Dermatology, we can also help you determine specific triggers behind your symptoms, such as particular foods you may be sensitive to.
To learn more about acne management or to get the skin care you need, call our office or request an appointment through our website link today.
