Acne Treatment in Pittsburgh, PA

Acne is an extremely common skin condition where the pores become clogged with dead skin cells and oil. Acne is most common in teenagers going through puberty, but it can flare up at any point in life. The cause and type of acne can determine the best treatment for you.

Acne treatment needs to be individualized to the patient for a successful outcome. Don’t let acne affect your self esteem, meet with our dermatologist to discuss the treatments available at our dermatology clinic in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Ana Busquets is a board-certified dermatologist and will take the time to determine the cause of your acne and the treatment available.

Symptoms of Acne

Acne blemishes can appear as:

• Blackheads
• Whiteheads
• Papules
• Pustules
• Cysts
• Nodules

Depending on the type of blemishes you have, you could experience inflammation, redness, or tenderness. The most common areas to have acne are the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, upper arms, or buttocks.

Common Causes of Acne

The main causes of acne are excess oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, and hormones.  Normally, dead skin cells are shed at the surface of the pore, but excess oil can cause the skin cells to stick together and become trapped inside the pore. For this reason, acne most commonly appears on areas where there are more oil glands.

Certain factors that have been known to make acne worse including:

• Hormones. Acne can worsen during puberty when the level of androgen, a hormone in both boys and girls, increases. Other causes of hormone fluctuation, like pregnancy or taking oral contraceptives, can cause or worsen acne.
• Stress. Stress can be linked to the severity of your acne.
• Diet. Some studies have indicated that certain foods, including carbohydrate rich foods, can worsen acne.
• Medications. Certain medications can trigger or aggravate acne.

Acne Treatment

Your dermatologist may recommend a variety of over-the-counter or prescription medications to help treat acne.

Topical treatment

• Benzoyl peroxide comes in a cream, lotion, wash, or gel that works to destroy the bacteria associated with acne.
• Salicylic acid can come in a lotion, cream, or pad that works to unclog pores.
• Retinoids decrease the swelling and inflammation, but a prescription is typically needed.

Medication

• Topical or oral antibiotics can be prescribed to kill the skin bacteria and reduce redness.
• Medication that affects your hormones, like birth control pills, can be prescribed to help acne.

In-Office Treatment

• Laser or light therapies can reduce the bacteria on your skin and work to improve acne.
• Chemical peels can treat blackheads and papules and encourage the sloughing of dead skin cells.
• Your dermatologist may recommend other treatments including facials specifically for acne or extractions of whiteheads or blackheads.