Even though it is most associated with our awkward teen years, acne is a common condition seen among people of all ages. In fact, almost 85% of people experience acne at some point during their lives. It typically appears during puberty but can continue to affect people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and even 50s. Even though acne is completely normal, people are often ashamed of the condition of their skin. Fortunately, acne treatment options are available for those who are looking for ways to clear up their acne fast. If you’ve been considering acne treatment but still have questions, we’re here to help.

This article is going to look at some frequently asked questions regarding ace.

What is acne? Acne is a disorder of the follicle evolving from the buildup of dead skin cells combined with bacteria and oil that clogs up the pores. While each case varies depending on the individual person, there are two basic types of acne:

An inflamed condition consisting of soreness, redness, pus formation-nodules, swelling, pustules, cysts, and papules.

A non-inflamed condition consisting of open comedones, or blackheads, or closed comedones, or whiteheads. These acne lesions typically appear on the face, neck, chest, or shoulders.

What causes acne? Unfortunately, the exact cause of acne is unknown. However, there are multiple related factors, like hormones, that seem to increase the chance of acne. Additionally, there are many factors that can attribute to the development of acne. These factors may include:

  • Birth Control Pills
  • Climate (humidity increases excretion)
  • Cosmetics (using the wrong products may impact acne-prone skin)
  • Diet
  • Lifestyle (inadequate sleep or drug and/or alcohol use)
  • Picking at existing acne
  • Pregnancy (hormonal fluctuations)
  • Pressure or Friction on the Skin
  • Seasons (hormone levels fluctuate with the seasons)
  • Stress (physical or emotional)

How can I get my acne under control? There are multiple types of acne treatment, but each treatment has three goals: to kill the Propionibacterium acnes, to reduce inflammation, and to prevent sebaceous glands from producing excess oil and clogging pores. Your acne treatment may consist of using a prescribed skin regime and visiting a dermatology clinic regularly.

Do I have dark spots or acne scars? Dark spots are post-inflammatory pigmentation and will fade over time. The colors of these spots may consist of brown, black, or any shade in between. On the other hand, scars are caused by acne that took a long time to heal. Both dark spots and scars can be prevented by controlling breakouts with appropriate acne treatment. However, there are acne scar treatment options to help eliminate scars.

By choosing to visit a dermatologist, you can find the right acne treatment for you. No matter if a condition is mild or very serious, everyone with acne should visit a dermatologist in order to ensure their condition does not worsen and doesn’t leave behind scars.