How Can Your Dermatologist Help You with Acne Treatment?

There’s no such thing as a one-treatment fits all when it comes to taking care of acne. When you come in for your consultation in Staten Island, Dr. Patricia McCormack will customize your acne procedure so you can get the best out of your treatment.

How A Dermatologist Diagnoses Acne

Acne is one of the most common dermatological conditions. It typically affects the face, chest, neck, and shoulders, but can affect other areas. Most people who get acne are between the ages of 12 and 25, though sometimes it those who are older.

When Staten Island acne sufferers visit Dr. McCormack, she will discuss your medical history and examine your skin to make sure the condition is acne and not some other skin issue. Once acne has been diagnosed, she will grade the acne into one of the following categories:

• Grade one: A few papules and comedones are present
• Grade two: Papules and a few pustules are present
• Grade three: Papules, pustules, and a few nodules are present.
• Grade four: Nodules and cysts are present.

There are many effective treatments for acne. Dr. McCormack will prescribe a treatment that is suitable for the specific grade of your condition. Many of the most popular products contain either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Although these substances clear the skin, this does not happen overnight. You will usually need to continue your treatment daily for up to eight weeks to clear your skin and prevent new breakouts.

Acne can have a big impact on your self-esteem. In the long term, it can lead to anxiety and depression. Don’t let pimples ruin your life. Contact call Dr. McCormack at her Staten Island office on (718) 698-1616, at her Linden office on (908) 925-8877 and at her Point Pleasant Beach office on (732) 295-1331 to schedule a consultation and get ready to say hello to a new, smoother complexion and a more confident you.

For many individuals who suffer from acne, their hormones have gone into overdrive, resulting in the overproduction of sebum. Sebum is normally important for lubricating the skin and hair, however, overproduction of the chemical can result in acne.

If you’re looking to control your acne, you can come in for a consultation or set a teledermatology appointment with your dermatologist, Dr. Patricia McCormack, of Staten Island, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, and Linden, NJ. Meanwhile, here are acne basics you should keep in mind to help keep acne at bay.

The Acne Myth

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one of the greatest myths about acne is that you should just let it run its course normally. Unfortunately, this is not the best advice to take for most people. Why? First off, some untreated acne will leave permanent dark spots and scars on your skin even after it clears. Likewise, treatments are readily available, so it would be a waste not to seek one out. Further, acne treatments shorten the cycle and minimize future eruptions and effective treatment will boost your self-confidence.

How to Manage Your Acne

Here are some practical tips that you can follow:

• Clean Your Face: Yes, even if you don’t have acne. Washing your face no more than twice a day removes dead skin cells, impurities, and excess oil from the surface. Use warm water and mild facial cleanser, but avoid using coarse-textured cloth or sponge. Rinse well and pat dry using a clean towel.
• Use Moisturizer: This helps balance out the drying effect produced by many acne products. Use a moisturizer specific to your skin.
• Spare the Makeup: This is especially true during breakouts. Skip using blush, foundation, or powder. If you need to wear makeup, make sure that you have oil-free ones that don’t have dyes, fragrances, or chemicals that could exacerbate your active acne.
• Choose Your Hair Products Wisely: As much as possible, keep away from those that contain oil, gels, fragrances, or oils. These can block the pores of your skin and cause irritation if your hair gets on your face. Opt for a gentle shampoo with conditioner and keep your long hair away from your face.
• Hands Off: People touch their faces an average of 19 times every hour. This is an easy way to get bacteria on your face as well as irritate your inflamed face. Tinkering with your acne can likewise cause scarring and infection.
• Opt for Skin-Friendly Foods: Avoid junk food and greasy foods that could aggravate your acne. Foods with processed sugar and dairy products may likewise act as triggers in certain people. Stick to vegetables, whole grains, and fresh fruits.

See Your Dermatologist

You should make an appointment with your dermatologist in Staten Island, Point Pleasant Beach, or Linden when:

• Your acne is uncontrollable.
• Over-the-counter medication doesn’t work for you.
• You want your acne problem to clear up faster.
• You have concerns about scarring.
• You want the best treatment for your acne condition.

Need Advice on Managing Your Acne? We Can Help

Arrange a visit or schedule a teledermatology/telemedicine appointment with our dermatologist, Dr. Patricia McCormack. You can reach our Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, office at (732) 295-1331, Linden, NJ, office at (908) 925-8877, or Staten Island, NY, office at (718) 698-1616.

Anyone who has ever walked through the skincare aisle of their local drugstore knows that there are tons of acne-fighting products on the market. So, which one is right for you? Should you opt for an acne cleanser or spot treatment, or both? Choosing the right acne treatment can be challenging, to say the least.

While acne is a common problem among teenagers, many people don’t just leave acne behind the minute they toss out those graduation caps. In fact, many adults well into their 20s, 30s and beyond still deal with regular acne outbreaks. So, how do you properly treat acne? There is no singular way to treat acne and the best treatment option for you and your skin will depend on the cause. While you might not know what’s to blame for your acne symptoms a dermatologist certainly can help.

Treating Acne on Your Own

If you are dealing with mild to moderate acne, look for products that contain these powerful acne-fighting ingredients:

• Salicylic acid
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Glycolic acid
• Sulfur
• Retinol

How a Dermatologist Treats Acne

If you’ve tried over-the-counter acne products for more than 12 weeks and aren’t seeing results, or if you are experiencing severe, deep or cystic acne then it’s time to turn to a skin care professional for help. The first thing your dermatologist will do is determine the cause of your acne. From there, one or more of these treatments may be recommended:

Prescription topical medications: Certain topical medications act as an anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory, which reduces redness and inflammation associated with acne while also removing acne-causing bacteria from the surface of the skin.

A simple extraction: You should never pick at your acne or try to pop a pimple on your own, as you could end up causes further irritation or scarring; however, a dermatologist knows the safest and most effective techniques for extracting blackheads and whiteheads safely.

Birth control pills: For women who notice breakouts that correspond to their menstrual cycle, certain birth control pills may be able to reduce the amount of androgen hormones, which in turn can reduce breakouts. Talk to your dermatologist about the birth control pills that are FDA approved to treat acne.

Isotretinoin: This is an extremely intense oral retinoid that is used for treating severe, cystic acne that isn’t responsive to other treatment options. Isotretinoin is better known as Accutane, and this treatment can take up to nine months to see full results. Some patients will require multiple courses of treatment. Due to the nature of this strong medication, there are some possible side effects. It is important to discuss these side effects with your dermatologist before beginning Isotretinoin.

If you are having trouble getting your acne under control it’s important that you have a dermatologist that you can turn to for customized care. Take control of your acne once and for all.

Discover helpful acne-fighting tips and trick to achieve clearer skin.

You’re trying to find the right way to get your acne under control, right? Well, there are certainly so many options out there that it can be a bit daunting. First and foremost, if you are just starting to deal with acne then you may want to tackle the issue from the comfort of your own home before turning to a dermatologist for help.

At-Home Treatment Options

The first line of defense is usually to try an over-the-counter acne cleanser or topical cream that contains an active ingredient such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. It’s important to be patient when it comes to seeing results. No acne product will work overnight. In fact, it can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks of consistent use before you start to notice results from commercial acne products, so don’t give up on a product too soon.

Other tips to follow include:

• Cleaning your smartphone with disinfectant wipes at lease once a day (imagine just how much bacteria your phone picks up everyday).
• Washing your face twice a day, once in the morning and at night before bedtime, and immediately after sweating.
• Being gentle with your skin. Harsh scrubs and being aggressive won’t get rid of acne; it will actually just make it worse.
• Using cosmetic products that won’t clog pores (look for words like “non-comedogenic” or “oil free”)
• Leaving acne alone (do not pick acne or try to extract it yourself, as this can lead to scarring)
• Washing pillowcases regularly to get rid of pore-clogging bacteria

When to See a Dermatologist

If you are having trouble getting your acne under control after weeks of trial and error, or if your acne is severe and painful then it’s time to enlist the help of a dermatologist who will be able to provide you with more effective strategies for getting rid of your acne. After all, there are different things that can cause acne and it’s important that your skin doctor figures out what’s causing your acne so that they can create the right treatment plan for you.

Dermatologist-Approved Acne Treatment Options

Depending on what’s causing your breakouts, a dermatologist may recommend these treatment options:

• Topical treatment: Prescription-strength cleansers, ointments, and creams containing glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids can target and eliminate acne.
• Topical or oral antibiotics: Antibiotics can reduce inflammation and kill the bacteria responsible for acne.
• Oral contraceptives: If you are dealing with breakouts that occur around your menstrual cycle then hormonal fluctuations could be causing your acne. There are certain types of birth control pills that have been FDA approved to fight acne.
• Isotretinoin: More commonly referred to as Accutane, this powerful oral medication is used for those dealing with severe cystic acne that can lead to deep scarring. This is often recommended when other treatment options haven’t been effective.

Have questions about getting your acne under control? Then it’s time to consult with a dermatologist.