While acne is commonly associated with teenagers and puberty, it is a skin condition that can affect people of all ages. Not only can inflammation and irritation from acne be incredibly painful, but it can also cause many to feel self-conscious about their appearance.
Over the years, people may try a number of different acne treatments to alleviate breakouts, lesions, and scarring. With every patient’s situation differing slightly, it can be a challenge to find the best acne treatment for you. Fortunately, there are many MedCosmetic acne treatment options to try if you have acne concerns and are looking to improve your self-esteem and overall wellness.
What Causes Acne?
Acne is a skin condition that originates in the skin’s oil glands. Oil travels from these glands and through the follicle canal. Because the follicle canal is lined with hair and skin cells, it can easily become plugged and block the pore–the follicle opening–completely, preventing any oil from reaching the surface of the skin.
When pores are blocked, it becomes a lot easier for the bacteria found on the skin to grow in the follicles. Since your body is designed to defend and attack against this type of bacteria, the area of the skin becomes inflamed. This inflammation is known as acne.
There are a number of reasons some people may be more susceptible to acne than others, including hormone changes and imbalances, genetics, stress, certain drugs and medications, cosmetics, birth control, and more.
Acne severity can vary from breakout to breakout; some pimples may appear and disappear quickly, while others may take longer to heal. For women especially, acne can come and go for decades, as flare-ups are common during certain times of a woman’s monthly cycle and can also pop up later in life during perimenopause and menopause.
There are three main types of acne: blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. Each can range from mild to severe. When a breakout occurs, you may experience any of the following:
- Blackheads: If a plugged follicle reaches the skin’s surface and opens the pore up, the acne sore will appear as a blackhead. Contrary to popular misconception, blackheads are not sores with dirt in them; rather, the surfaced oil appears black when it’s exposed to air.
- Whiteheads: Unlike a blackhead, a whitehead forms when the plugged follicle does not reach the skin’s surface. Instead, it remains beneath the skin.
- Papules: This type of acne sore typically appears as a smaller, red bump that is tender to the touch.
- Pimples (or Pustules): This type of sore is a papule that forms with pus in its tip.
- Nodules: These are painful lumps that appear large and solid under the skin.
- Cystic Lesions: Like nodules, these painful lumps appear under the skin but are typically pus-filled.
Acne can appear on any area of the face, including the forehead, as well as on the neck, shoulders, chest, upper back, and other areas of the body.
Why Can Acne Be Problematic?
In most cases, acne is not typically considered a serious threat to your health. However, because of its persistence, acne can create emotional distress and feelings of self-consciousness.
Additionally, acne is known for leaving long-term scarring on the skin. Depending on its severity, acne scarring can be permanent, with marks and blemishes related to acne staying on the skin long after any breakout has occurred.
It is also important to note that the sudden onset of severe acne in older adults may be an indication of an underlying disease. In this case, medical attention is highly recommended to ensure your health isn’t at risk.
Top 6 MedCosmetic Acne Treatments
MedCosmetic acne treatments are a great alternative for individuals who have exhausted over-the-counter and home remedies. Because acne symptoms vary depending on how severe the condition is, MedCosmetic options offer a more personalized treatment plan for each acne case.
1. Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are best known for restoring collagen–that is, what gives your skin volume, flexibility, and a youthful appearance–to combat laxity, wrinkles, and facial folds due to aging. However, dermal fillers can also be one of the best treatments for acne scarring.
Because dermal fillers work by stimulating natural collagen production in the skin, they can be incredibly effective in restoring and improving the appearance of damaged skin caused by acne. When injected, depressed areas of the skin where acne scarring has occurred increase in volume, allowing damaged areas to smooth out.
Common filler options used to treat acne scarring include Restylane, Juvéderm, and more.
2. Microneedling
Skin Pen Microneedling acne treatment can help reduce the appearance of acne scarring. Also known as Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT), this treatment works by creating microscopic channels in the dermis layer of your skin, causing small areas of injury and thereby stimulating natural collagen production.
There are many benefits of microneedling for acne scars. Because it can effectively rejuvenate and improve skin tone and texture, individuals using this treatment may see considerable improvement in acne-scarred skin.
3. Chemical Peels
Chemical peels, such as VI Peel, can be used to treat certain types of acne, as well as improve the appearance of mild acne scarring. VI Peel Acne, specifically, is a sub-version of VI Peel that can improve skin texture, tone, and clarity while also purifying skin that’s prone to blemishes.
VI Peel Acne can also reduce any inflammation or hyperpigmentation left behind after an acne breakout.
4. IPL Therapy
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy works by correcting skin imperfections on multiple areas of the body, including the face, neck, and chest. IPL therapy delivers a broad spectrum of light that can be modified for different skin types, giving acne sufferers a highly personalized treatment option.
When the light penetrates the scarred skin tissue, thermal injury is left behind, allowing for the body to naturally correct the imperfection formed in the skin.
5. Hydrafacial
A Hydrafacial targets and treats acne by removing surface damage on the skin. This corrective treatment cleans and exfoliates the skin, extracts any surface damage and impurities, and then hydrates to provide proper nutrients and antioxidants.
Acne present on the face, decollete, neck, or back can be treated using the hydrafacial.
6. Morpheus8
Morpheus8 can also be an effective treatment for acne, as it helps in removing scarring and large pores on the skin’s surface. This microneedling treatment uses radiofrequency technology to stimulate collagen production and elastin, as well as coagulate fat and soft tissue. By tightening the soft tissue, the skin corrects itself with a firmer appearance, which can help diminish the severity of acne scarring.
Finding the best acne treatment for you can be a challenge. Fortunately, Mirabile M.D. offers acne and acne scar treatment in the Kansas City area. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
