Zits, blemishes, spots, pimples – all are used to describe a common, often uncomfortable skin condition: acne. Acne can appear during childhood or adulthood. It affects the skin's sebaceous (oil) glands, which can produce red spots, comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) or deep pimples when they become clogged. Acne can occur anywhere on the body, but it usually appears on the face, neck, shoulders, upper back and chest.
Luckily there are a variety of topical, oral, procedural and cosmetic treatment options to help clear acne and get you back to looking and feeling your best.
Acne occurs when the pores become clogged with oil. There are many different types of acne, including:
When you have deep or severe acne, it compromises the skin and the tissue beneath it. As the acne begins to clear up, your body fights to repair the damage. Acne scars manifest as red, dark spots or textured areas where the surface of your skin has been affected.
In order to repair the damage, the body produces collagen. If your body produces too little or too much collagen during this process, you’ll notice an acne scar.
While some people are more prone to scarring than others, any of the following can increase the risk of developing acne scars:
Acne is a common condition, especially in adolescence. Because of this, it can be difficult to pinpoint a specific cause for each individual case of acne. However, the most common acne causes include:
People often get acne during puberty, when hormonal changes cause the oil-producing glands under the skin to become more active. Though acne is most common from ages 11 to 30, some people (especially women) develop acne later in life. Adult acne may be caused by hormonal changes, birth control, stress and certain medications.
So how can acne be prevented? Sometimes acne prevention isn’t possible, especially if you carry a family history or are going through hormonal changes. However, sticking to a doctor-recommended acne-cleansing regimen is a good first step.
There are a variety of treatment options for acne, with different treatments working better for different skin types.
The goal of any acne treatment regimen is to minimize scarring, reduce your acne, improve your skin’s appearance and help you feel your best.
Our dermatologists offer acne treatment at locations throughout eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, with clinics in:
Choose the acne clinic nearest you or find a nearby dermatologist.