Medical Acne

Today, virtually every case of acne area can be resolved. Typically acne is treated with the simplest topical and/or oral treatments which are deemed effective. Dr. Sikorski will assess your acne severity and recommend the appropriate and most quickly effective regimen.

What are effective treatments for medical acne?

Depending on the grade of medical acne you are dealing with, you’ll be given one of several programs to follow initially. Regardless of the severity of your acne, you want to unclog the pores and kill the p. acne bacteria which causes inflammation. The following is a brief list of the most common ingredients in over-the-counter and prescription acne products:

Salicylic Acid dissolves and removes the dead cells inside the hair follicles. This allows the pores to become unclogged and the sebum to pass through unimpeded.

  • Benzoyl Peroxide is considered the most active ingredient in acne treatments. It is an anti-bacterial that helps remove the p. acne bacteria in the follicle. The lower concentrations can be obtained over-the-counter, while higher strengths require a prescription.
  • Retinoids, such as Retin-A work by increasing skin cell turnover and promote the extrusion of the clogged follicle. They are very effective for unblocking the pores of oil glands.
  • Facials and Peels are helpful treatments for removing pore blockage. The facial will help remove the surface layer of dead skin and wash away the bacteria.
  • Blue light therapy, such as Blu-U or Omnilux, uses a special blue light that kills the p. acnes bacteria in your skin. It is a safe alternative if you are sensitive to antibiotics or the active ingredients in topical treatments.

What is Acne?

  • Medically acne is a follicular eruption with plugged pores called comedones (“blackheads and whiteheads”), red papules, pustules and nodules, generally found on the face and upper body to include the shoulders, upper back and chest. The disease peaks at adolescence but can be seen in children as young as 8 and is not uncommon in adulthood.

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Acne Management Tips

    • Gentle skin cleansing is encouraged: Mild soaps (ie Dove, Oil of Olay for Sensitive Skin, Cetaphil, Phisoderm, Purpose, Neutrogena) may be used to cleanse the skin. Scrubbing with washcloths, Buff-Puffs, and any cleanser that contains abrasives of any type as these can worsen acne, and contribute to scarring. Avoid soaps with deodorant and anti-bacterial claims such as Dial, Zest, Coast, Irish Spring, Safeguard – and Noxzema and Ivory – these seem to contribute to worsening of acne.

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Product Ingredients which aggravate Acne

If your skin gets clogged easily then you are at more risk from using those ingredients. Here are the main ones to look out for:

      • Isopropyl Myristate
      • Myristyl Myristate Lanolin
      • Cocoa Butter
      • Flax Oil
      • Octyl Palmitate, Octyl Stearate
      • Linseed Oil
      • D & C Red and Orange colors
      • Isostearyl Alcohol
      • Mink Oil
      • Peanut Oil
      • Palmitic Acid
      • Mineral Oil (potential problem for some, not all)

Other factors that Influence Acne

      • Birth control pills may affect the skin and you may see a change in the amount of breakouts
      • Medicines containing bromides and diodides, as found in cold remedies, can cause breakouts
      • Barbiturates and amphetamines can cause acne type lesions
      • If you have a predisposition to acne it is wise to screen your vitamins for Kelp, seaweed or straight iodine (potassium iodide) and eliminate from your diet (avoid Shellfish)
      • Steroids can be a cause of breakouts
      • Stress influences and aggravates acne breakouts, so often you think this is major stress, when it is in fact simply just “being uptight”
      • Menstruation, pregnancy and menopause, all of these can cause skin problems including acne
      • Harsh drying substances and over exfoliation
      • High humidity can trigger breakouts
      • UV radiation, contrary to what many acne sufferers believe, the sun actually makes matters worse, this is due to the inflammatory effect that happens within the skin
      • Food sensitivities, dairy can often cause skin problems in some patients

Dr. Sikorski Your consultation visit

You’ll enjoy a relaxing visit to our office where you can ask questions, meet our staff, take a tour of our office and surgical suite and view additional photo results of our patients.

Your consultation assessment is with Dr. Sikorski, not an impersonal or commissioned sales person. Fees and procedure preparations are discussed with our patient coordinator, who will detail the surgical experience with you.

We look forward to meeting with you and helping you find the simplest solution to achieve the goals you desire. Call or office to learn more about medical acne or to schedule a consultation. Call or use our online contact form.