Skip to main content

Got Acne? Let Us Help.

Around 40 to 50 millionAmericans struggle with acne. You aren’t alone if you struggle from the most common skin condition nationwide. Acne happens when pores become clogged with dead skin cells and bacteria, causing inflammation, swelling and redness. As it surfaces on the face, these clogged pores are often referred to as zits or pimples. However, if the inflammation is deep within the skin, you may be experiencing an acne cyst or nodule. Dermatologists treat acne all the time and should be well versed in developing a treatment plan to fit your needs. If you suffer from acne, it may be time to visit your dermatologist.

When to see your dermatologist:

If you have acne that spread across your face, get acne nodules or cysts, or just want clearer skin, it is time to visit your dermatologist. Over the counter acne treatments and solutions work for everyday cases, but if you are not seeing clearer skin after continued use, you are probably dealing with a deeper issue. Don’t wait to try every cleanser or product at a drug store before considering medical care. 

How acne is diagnosed:

First, the dermatologist will examine your blemishes to see if the issue is in fact acne, or you are suffering from a different skin condition. If you have acne, a dermatologist will most likely grade the severity of it on a scale from one to four. A grade of one signals mild acne while a grade off our signals severe acne. By identifying the severity of your acne, the dermatologist can better devise a more effective treatment plan and get you on the path to clearer skin.

Acne treatment options:

  • Topical Treatment: Topical treatments are medications applied directly to the affected skin site, like applying a spot cream. Acne TreatmentAcne TreatmentWith topic treatments, your skin can soak in the medication it needs, a stronger treatment than drugstore products, right from the source. Other topical treatments include facial washes and creams. These can help treat some other issues of acne like redness and overactive oil glands.
  • Pills or Capsules: Antibiotics, birth control and isotretinoin are three medications that work throughout the body to treat the symptoms and causes of acne. Antibiotics can be prescribed by your dermatologist and will help kill bacteria that causes the inflammation and swelling of acne. Birth control can only be used by women and must be prescribed by a gynecologist. Using birth control can help regulate your hormones which often cause acne. 
  • Light Therapy: Light therapy, or phototherapy has been shown to reveal great results in the diminishing of acne and will reduce the probability of scarring. Talk to your dermatologist to see if phototherapy is right for you.
  • Chemical Peels: Chemical peels like those administered by the dermatologists at Knoxville Dermatology Group and the adjoined MediSpa, are great for getting rid of blackheads that can turn in to acne.
  • Acne Removal: If you experience acne cysts or nodules, where the pore is clogged deep within the skin, your dermatologist may suggest a procedure to remove the cyst. This will reduce the pain of acne cysts and the chances of sca

What comes next:

Results will not appear right away, so it’s important to continue your treatment plan. Even if you experience a break out well into your treatment, remember that there is no simple fix. By sticking to your skin care routine, clearer skin will be within reach. Finally, remember to keep your hands off your face and not try and pop acne, as this may lead to further scarring. If you suffer from acne and are ready to see better results and clearer skin, see the experienced dermatologists at Knoxville DermatologyGroup. To make an appointment call  (865)690-9467 or visit our website.

Attack Those Spots

moisturizer

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Fluctuating hormones can cause routine acne problems for most women. Having a spot-treating system of spot treating for these acne pop ups can be helpful when you’re on-the-go. However, spot treating isn’t effective long-term. Your Knoxville Dermatology Team is here to help you find a stop spot treating and fight break outs long-term solution so you can stop seeing spots.

The best defense is a good offense. Attack acne by using an acne-fighting cleanser and moisturizer once a day. Keep your skin type in mind when searching for acne-fighting products so your skin maintains its balance. If you experience stress-related break outs, give yourself a spa day. Not only will you feel more relaxed, but you’ll give your skin a nice refresher. Another plan of attack is to exfoliate at least once a week. This will help remove dead skin cells that could block pores and cause a break out.

Call and schedule an appointment with our MediSpa team if you want to tune up your skincare routine. They can recommend the best products and procedures to give you the best skin of your life.

If you have any questions about changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

What to Do with Acne Scars

We’ve all dealt with acne in one way or another. And when we see a pimple, nothing’s more tempting than popping it right then and there to get it over with. But this somewhat simple maneuver produces a long-lasting aftermath – acne scars.

There are many types of acne scars. They can range from deep pits to angular or wavelike marks. Some may even develop hyperpigmentation or dark marks. Scars are the body’s way of repairing damage. When you see deep acne scars, it is because your skin took a huge collagen loss from an inflammation.

The easiest way to a clear face is to not pick at your acne, but sometimes acne is so severe that scarring is unavoidable. While scar creams and moisturizers do help, some people turn to lasers for a more noticeable change. Our MediSpa office provides a skin rejuvenation method that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars. We will provide you with after-care instructions like avoiding exfoliants and which skin care products can speed the healing process and maintain the health of your skin. Contact our MediSpa offices and schedule an appointment today!

If you have any questions about acne scars or about changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Acne Aftermath

As if acne isn’t bad enough, we’re sometimes left with scars that last long after the pimple has faded. “Even without picking, acne…can lead to scarring because of the intense, collagen-damaging skin inflammation,” says Tina Alster, MD, a professor of dermatology at Georgetown University Medical Center. So what are the best ways to deal with the acne aftermath?

Start with altering your skin-care habits. Avoid touching your face and especially avoid picking at your skin. Yes, it’s tempting to just pop that pimple but you’ll be more pleased with a clear complexion. Be mindful of over-exposure to the sun. This can cause marks and scars to darken and it slows the healing process.

What makes acne scars fade? Patience and fading creams. Fading creams help existing marks, but unfortunately not the indentations that can occur. You’ll need patience because it can take months, even years, for scars to fade. Other options are available in dealing with acne scars. Please contact one of our dermatologists to figure out your best options.

If you have any questions about acne scars or about changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.