Wondering what you can do about your stubborn acne? Your Tustin, CA, dermatologists at Enhanced Dermatology of Orange County offer a variety of treatments that can help clear your skin and prevent future breakouts.
Prescription topical medications reduce blocked pores
Pimples form when your pores become clogged with dead skin and sebum, a natural oil. Applying tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, and other topical medications to your skin increases skin cell turnover, reducing blockages. Using these medications as recommended by your Tustin, CA, skin doctor may also help pimples heal and prevent blockages in the future.
Antibiotics can help if acne doesn't improve
Sometimes, topical medications alone aren't enough to improve acne. An antibiotic that kills p. acne bacteria, a type of bacteria that can cause breakouts, can be helpful, particularly if it's used with topical medications.
Blue light therapy offers a simple way to control acne
Blue light also kills p. acnes bacteria, in addition to shrinking the glands that produce oils. Decreased redness and inflammation are other benefits of this therapy. Treatments take a half-hour or less and are painless.
Microdermabrasion and chemical peels exfoliate your skin
Microdermabrasion removes the outer layers of the skin, unblocking clogged pores, removing dead skin cells, and making acne scars less noticeable. During the treatment, your dermatologist uses a hand-held device to apply a fine spray of exfoliating crystals to your skin.
A chemical peel can also be used to exfoliate your skin. A few days after your dermatologist applies the peel solution, skin starts to flake off, revealing a healthy layer underneath to improve your complexion.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy targets oil-producing glands
During IPL therapy, precisely targeted light impulses are aimed at your skin. The energy generated by the light decreases the size of oil glands in your skin, reducing oil production and minimizing acne scars. IPL therapy isn't painful. In fact, you may only notice a mild stinging sensation during treatment.
Isotretinoin offers a solution for severe or particularly stubborn acne
If other treatments, don't improve your acne, isotretinoin may be an option. Although the medication is very effective, it can cause serious side effects, such as liver damage or birth defects in fetuses. You'll receive regular blood tests while you take isotretinoin and you must use a reliable form of birth control.
Are you struggling with acne? Call your dermatologists in Tustin, CA, at Enhanced Dermatology of Orange County, at (714) 790-0005 to schedule your appointment.