Acne Treatments at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta
As of January 1, 2020, all Acne Surgery patients must see a provider (Physician or Physician Assistant) at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta, P.C. yearly to receive Acne Surgery treatments filed to insurance. After a series of treatments, patients must follow up with a provider (Physician or Physician Assistant) within the practice to determine whether the Acne Surgery is still medically necessary. If you have any questions, please contact the Insurance and Billing office at 404-256-4457 ext. 205.
Acne is the single most commonly diagnosed skin condition for both adolescents and adults in the US. While it may not pose any serious health risks, the cosmetic symptoms of acne can be troublesome, and untreated acne can also lead to physical scarring over time (known as acne scarring).
Causes of Acne:
Depending on the type of acne you are experiencing, there is a wide variety of potential causes of acne. In many cases, acne results from pores or hair follicles becoming clogged. This can happen due to natural oil produced by the skin known as sebum, dead skin cells, or different forms of bacteria. In any case, once a pore is clogged or blocked, it leads to build up, inflammation, and the creation of a pimple, cyst, or other acne blemish.
Additionally, certain factors, and how your skin reacts to them, can trigger acne breakouts and exacerbate existing acne symptoms. These factors include stress, air pollution, temperature or hormone fluctuations, reactions to certain medications or cosmetics, under or overcleaning your skin, and picking or scratching acne blemishes.
Types of Acne:
The most common types of acne typically fall into one of three different categories; hormonal acne, bacterial acne, and fungal acne. Inflammation in the skin can also cause acne for some people and this inflammation can appear in different forms. Understanding whether your acne is hormonal, bacterial, or fungal in nature (or a combination of both) is the first step in diagnosing and treating your specific acne condition.
Acne can appear in many different forms, depending on the specific case. Blackheads and whiteheads, markings that appear on the skin’s surface due to blocked or closed pores, are most common. Some people experience other forms of acne blemishes including papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts.
Acne Scarring:
Anyone who experiences acne is also at risk of developing acne scarring as well. Acne scars occur as a result of acne blemishes becoming inflamed. Sometimes acne can cause a pore to swell, leading to a breakdown in the wall of the pore. In some cases, the contents of the acne blemish can spill into the surrounding tissue triggering the skin’s healing response and forming new collagen, leading to the formation of an acne scar. Acne scarring can either create indentations in the surface of the skin or raised scars on the surface of the skin. Thankfully, there are effective treatment methods available for acne and acne scarring.
Acne Treatment Methods:
Identifying the type of acne and its cause is imperative for determining the most effective treatment for each patient’s unique condition. Here at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta, we always begin by evaluating our patient’s skin and discussing their medical history in order to fully understand the cause of their acne. Once this is done, we will then recommend the acne treatment method that we believe will be most helpful. These options can include over-the-counter medications, prescription meds, cosmetic laser treatments, chemical peels, custom skin care and more.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can adults have acne?
Yes, acne can affect individuals of all ages, gender, and ethnicities. Women are especially prone to acne during their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and/or during menopause. Our treatment options are effective for women and men regardless of their age.
Will bacterial acne look different than hormonal acne?
Hormonal acne can look different mainly due to the location of it. Many times hormonal acne occurs on the chin, jaw line, and upper neck in females and it tends to be more cystic. Bacterial acne is kind of a misnomer. Acne that is not largely caused by hormones can have a bacterial component but also will have an inflammatory component. Our experts have extensive training and experience diagnosing and treating all kinds of acne.
Why is acne most common in teenagers?
Acne in teenagers is commonly referred to as acne vulgaris. This type of acne is typically most prominent in areas like the face, back, chest, and shoulders. During puberty, hormonal fluctuation can lead to increased sebum production, which in turn leads to more breakouts.
What is fungal acne?
Fungal acne is a form of acne that can occur when hair follicles become infected with a fungus known as Malassezia yeast. Fungal acne often appears in clusters of small, itchy, red bumps (papules) on the surface of the skin. In some cases, these bumps can grow larger and eventually turn into whiteheads or small deposits of white or yellow pus known as pustules.
Is Rosacea a type of acne?
While rosacea is sometimes referred to as “adult acne,” it is not actually acne at all. Rosacea is a chronic facial skin condition that appears as redness, inflammation, and irritation that can look similar to acne. Although it is not technically acne, we do offer various treatments for rosacea including prescription medication and laser therapy at our laser center- The Laser Institute of Georgia.
Can the sun exposure help minimize my acne?
While sunlight can occasionally improve acne temporarily, it increases your risk of premature aging, sun damage, and skin cancer. Many acne treatments can actually make the skin more light sensitive, so acne patients should avoid extended UV exposure before and following their treatment.
For more information on acne and our available treatment options, please contact Dermatology Associates of Atlanta today.
