Acne Treatment in Lenox Hill, NY
Acne is one of the most common skin problems in the US. Acne isn’t just a rite of passage that happens to teens. We’ve seen everyone from children to older adults still dealing with acne that impacts their health and appearance and makes them feel self-conscious. If this is you, our dermatologist and our team at Penstein Dermatology can provide you with a customized plan to get your acne under control.
Body Areas Affected By Acne
Acne can affect various areas of your body, especially the areas where you have the most oil glands, including your:
- Face
- Chest
- Forehead
- Shoulders
- Upper back
How You Can Prevent Acne
You can help prevent acne breakouts by following a few simple tips:
- Exercise regularly which helps remove toxins and dirt from your body
- Practice stress reduction techniques to reduce acne breakouts
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily to flush toxins from your body
- Clean and disinfect your cell phone regularly to prevent toxins from transferring to your face.
- Use non-comedogenic makeup to prevent pore blockage
- Change your pillowcase at least weekly to help keep your face clean
- Try not to touch your face to avoid transferring bacteria and dirt to your face
When to See a Dermatologist
Seeing a dermatologist just because you have acne isn't always necessary. Of course, there are certainly moments when you should call us. These moments include:
- If you’ve never actually been diagnosed with acne
- If acne is getting worse even with at-home care
- If you have severe acne or inflammatory or cystic acne
- If acne isn’t responding with treatment
- If your acne is impacting your self-esteem and quality of life
Acne Products Take Time to Work
It’s essential to remember that any acne product you use, whether over-the-counter or prescription, takes time to work. There are no miracle treatments or quick fixes when it comes to acne. It’s important to give even your at-home acne products up to 12 weeks to be fully effective. If you don’t see results after that, it’s time to try something else.
We Need to Find Out What’s Causing Your Acne
Acne can be caused by several factors, but the most common cause is clogged pores. Your pores can become clogged with excess oil, dirt, and debris. Other causes include:
- Diet
- Genetics
- Hormonal changes
It’s important to understand that there are different reasons why you may be dealing with acne. Figuring out the cause of your acne is our number one priority, as this will determine the most effective treatment options to reduce the severity and frequency of your breakouts. Our team can help you with this when you come in for a consultation.
Treating Your Acne
Those with minor acne breakouts can often get their symptoms under control with simple at-home cleansers and other products; however, our dermatologist can prescribe stronger cleansers and even topical medications to help target acne-causing bacteria. Common topical acne treatments include:
- Retinoids
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Salicylic acid
- Azelaic Acid
- Dapsone
Women whose acne is due to hormones can benefit from certain oral contraceptives designed to reduce acne. Sometimes oral antibiotics can be prescribed to help kill the bacteria responsible for acne. Those with severe inflammatory or cystic acne may require stronger medication such as Accutane. This pill is used to treat severe acne and acne scarring.