Case in point – Subject: you, Object: mirror, Time of day: irrelevant simply because the only sentiment crossing your mind is, “Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh! Another pimple!” Followed by the inevitable question, why me? Most people wish that getting rid of acne was as easy as using a magic eraser pen. Reality stands – it’s simply NOT.

Truth is, acne affects thousands of people, both adults and children, with each person experiencing his or her own unique case – some arguably worse than others.

For those of us who suffer from the onslaught of acne or know someone who does, the following Q and A with patient preferred dermatologist, Laura A. King, M.D. in Orange County of Southern California renders great insight into the causes and treatment of acne. A board certified skincare physician with the American Board of Dermatology (ABD), Dr. King treats her patients with quality care and aims to rid their skin of those confidence-destroying blemishes:

Q: The “why me” question probes the minds of many people. Generally, given your experience and expertise, what are the most common causes of acne?

A: “Rising hormone levels during adolescence (puberty) cause the oil (sebaceous) glands of the skin to get bigger. The glands are connected to a hair-containing canal called a follicle. These glands make an oily substance called sebum which reaches the surface by emptying through the opening of the follicle on to the skin surface. Oil dead skin bacterial accumulates in the pore; the cells at the top of the pore become sticky, forming whiteheads and blackheads. If too much accumulation occurs, the pore wall weakens, ruptures, and sends oil dead skin bacterial into surrounding tissue. This causes swelling, inflammation and infection – these are pustules and cysts. (Oil and fatty acids are irritating to skin tissue).”

Q: What do various prescription acne treatments intend to target?

A: “Control of acne is an ongoing process. The dermatologist works with the patients in the prevention of new acne. Often times, the regimens are changed to find what works for each individual. There are many factors to consider, make-up, lotions, medications and menstrual cycles can contribute to acne. Antibiotics taken by mouth such as tetracycline, minocycline or erythromycin are often prescribed for moderate or severe cases. Isotretinoin (commonly known as Accutane), is sometimes used for severe cases that has not responded to other treatments.”

Q: What preventative and affordable measures can the average person take to better the appearance of their acne?

A: “Start with a visit to the dermatologist. Follow their directions and keep follow-up appointments. No one has the time and money to throw away on ineffective treatments. Working with a skin care professional will aid in keeping the treatment of acne affordable.”

Q: Acne is not necessarily limited to the face. Many people often have breakouts elsewhere, including their backs. What skincare methods do you recommend for body acne?

A: “There are some nice pumice scrubs on the market, but be careful not to damage the skin by over-scrubbing. We like the Pumice Scrub from Only Yours Skin Care. Glycolic based products also prove to be effective. We recommend GLYTONE skin care products; their Mild Gel Wash is our leading seller; our patients just love it. Choose products that are non-comedogenic, use gels instead of creams. Benzoyl peroxide washes are effective and easy to use on the back. They are available in both over-the-counter and prescription form. Patients are usually instructed to leave a wash in the shower. Oral antibiotics are also effective for non-facial acne.”

Q: Many people suffer from acne scarring. What treatments (i.e. bleaching agents) yield noticeable results?

A: “Acne scarring can often be helped with exfoliation, microdermabrasion, chemical peels and dermal fillers. Treatments vary in price and effectiveness. Bleaching agents deal with the pigmentation issues and not the scarring issue itself. The over the counter agents typically are not strong enough to be effective. A dermatologist can prescribe a more effective one for you to use.”

Know that you are not alone in your fight against acne! Doing your research and seeking the help of a qualified dermatologist are great steps in achieving your goal of a more refreshing, clearer appearance – and, if you’re like me, that is music to my skin. After all, an abundance of pimples is more than enough to call off a night out on the town!

~ Mellori V.

Top Image Credit: www.acne.org