Acne is a common skin condition that can be a source of frustration for many. There are many “cures” marketed for acne, but despite the variety of methods and treatments available, curing acne often feels like an elusive undertaking.
At Metro Dermatology, we believe effective acne treatment begins with a deep understanding of what causes acne in the first place. Once we understand specific acne causes, we can properly treat them instead of just treating the symptoms.
Acne, in general, occurs as a result of your hair follicles becoming clogged with dead skin cells and/or oil. Acne can cause pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads, and it usually appears on these areas of the body:
Acne has a reputation for being common among teenagers, but it actually affects people of all ages, including many adults. Even if you do your best to prevent acne by maintaining a good skincare routine and eating a balanced diet, this frustrating condition can still persist.
Acne has many visible symptoms, including:
It’s important to note that these visible skin issues aren’t what causes acne — they’re merely the result. But the most effective acne treatment available for you will depend on the type of acne symptoms you’re experiencing.
Acne is primarily caused by too much oil. When blocked hair follicles don’t allow oil to leave the pore, the result is a clogged pore susceptible to bacteria growth. These factors combined cause acne breakouts to occur. Let’s take a closer look at each of the common acne causes: overproduction of oil, blocked hair follicles, bacteria growth, hormonal changes, and other factors.
The sebaceous glands in your skin produce a type of oily substance called sebum. Sebum helps your skin stay healthy and hydrated. When the sebaceous glands produce too much sebum, however, your skin can become overly oily. This is the perfect environment for acne-causing bacteria to grow.
Each pore on your skin operates as an opening to a follicle. Follicles are made up of both hair and sebaceous glands. Sebum travels up the hair and out of the pore to reach the surface of your skin. But when your body produces too much sebum, the pores can become blocked with sebum and dead skin cells, which build up on the hair follicles and form a plug.
Acne-causing bacteria are called propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) and live on your skin all the time. P. acnes are able to multiply rapidly, which they do when hair follicles get clogged. This is what leads to inflammation and the formation of pimples.
One of the reasons acne is so common among teenagers is that hormonal changes are a primary culprit for the growth of acne. Hormonal changes that occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menstruation trigger the overproduction of oil and lead to acne breakouts.
The sebaceous glands are particularly sensitive to changes in the hormones. The main hormonal culprits involved are a group of hormones called androgens. During hormonal fluctuations like puberty and pregnancy, androgen levels increase, stimulating the sebaceous glands.
The sebaceous glands tend to kick into high gear in response to hormonal changes, and this in turn clogs the pores and leads to the vicious acne cycle.
There are other factors that can lead to acne, including:
These factors may not directly cause acne on their own, but they can certainly exacerbate the condition in those who are prone to it.
Acne has a tendency to leave behind scars because the inflammation in the skin changes the structure of collagen within the skin. These scars can be distressing, but there are many acne scar removal options available in this day and age. Acne scar treatment aims to reduce the visibility of acne scars while simultaneously improving your skin’s overall texture and appearance.
One of the best acne treatment options available today is the laser. Laser acne treatment is a modern, innovative approach to treating acne. Laser technology relies on targeted light therapy to resurface and refresh the skin by stimulating new cell production. These resurfacing properties are what make lasers effective acne scar removal treatments.
Laser acne treatment works by using concentrated beams of light to penetrate into the layers of the skin. This light heats the skin and stimulates collagen production, which reduces inflammation, encourages new cell production, and ultimately improves the skin’s texture.
In addition, laser acne treatment is effective at destroying acne-causing bacteria in the first place. This means that lasers can help treat current acne and acne scars while also reducing the likelihood of future acne breakouts.
If you’re struggling with current acne breakouts or have residual scarring, we can help! At Metro Dermatology, we use not only laser technology but also topical and oral medications to help manage your individual condition.
Your journey at our clinic begins with a consultation so we can get to know you and your skin. To learn more about our acne treatment options and to schedule a consultation, contact us today.
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