Acne
Medical Dermatology & Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology in Fenton, Chesterfield and O'Fallon, MO
Acne causes persistent or recurring outbreaks of painful pimples. If you or your child have troublesome acne, visit Missouri Dermatology Laser and Vein Center in Fenton, Chesterfield, or O’Fallon, Missouri. Their skin health experts offer comprehensive care for acne, including medications and laser therapy. For effective acne treatment, call your nearest Missouri Dermatology Laser and Vein Center office today or book an appointment online.
Acne is a condition where you get blackheads and whiteheads (clogged pores), pustules (inflamed pimples), or nodules (deeper lumps). Acne often affects the face but frequently occurs on the:
Many teenagers get acne, but it can also appear in adults of any age. Acne often clears up after a few years, even without treatment. However, untreated acne is more likely to cause permanent scarring.
Acne develops in the skin’s hair follicles. These follicles are minute sacs for the hair roots. They also produce sebum, an oily liquid that lubricates your skin and hair.
If your skin generates excess sebum, it can mix with debris like dead skin cells and clump together in your follicles. Bacteria within the follicle multiply, causing an infection that leads to acne pimples developing on your skin.
It’s not completely clear why certain people get acne while others don’t. However, hormone level fluctuations are a common trigger for excessive sebum production. That is why acne is most common during puberty when your body produces much higher levels of the sex hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Emotional stress and certain medications also trigger acne flare-ups. Although many people believe that chocolate, soda, and greasy foods cause acne or worsen it, there’s no evidence that they do.
The Missouri Dermatology Laser and Vein Center team offers comprehensive acne treatments that include:
You might need to take antibiotics to destroy the bacteria responsible for your acne. Medications like isotretinoin (Accutane®) are often highly effective in controlling acne. They reduce sebum production and ease skin inflammation.
Laser therapy uses precise beams of light energy to destroy acne bacteria. The laser also reduces skin inflammation and boosts your body’s healing abilities.
An effective skin care routine helps by keeping your pores clear and preventing a sebum buildup. The Missouri Dermatology Laser and Vein Center team can advise you on the best products for your skin type.
It’s also important to eat a varied diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and drink plenty of water to feed and hydrate your skin.
Severe or untreated acne can scar your skin, leaving pits and marks that you might find unsightly. Your dermatologist can use laser therapy to reduce the appearance of acne scarring. The team at Missouri Dermatology Laser and Vein Center may use a CO2 laser or the Morpheus8 to perform laser therapy for acne scars. They also offer various chemical peels that can diminish their appearance.
To benefit from expert acne treatment and scar reduction, call Missouri Dermatology Laser and Vein Center today or book an appointment online.