Clear, healthy skin is possible for anyone with the right regimen!
Acne is the most common skin condition in the U.S., affecting around 40 to 50 million Americans. It’s estimated 85 percent of 12- to 24-year-olds will experience acne, however, the condition can develop in any ethnicity at any age. Rosacea affects an estimated 16 million Americans. Like acne, this condition can arise at any age but typically appears between the ages of 30 and 60. Acne and rosacea share common characteristics, such as redness and the presence of pus-filled lumps. Both conditions are distinct. While they usually appear separately, you can have acne and rosacea at the same time. To understand therapies for acne, rosacea, or both is to understand the cause of your troubling and uncomfortable symptoms.
Because each person is unique and there are many ways to treat acne and acne rosacea, it is important that patients choose a facility that has treatment options. There are multiple types of acne, and our office can provide multiple methods of treatment given that acne is not a one size fits all. Dermatology offices commonly provide aggressive options like long term antibiotics and harsh topicals like Retin-A or Isotretinoin (Accutane) that can cause irritation, negative side effects and lifelong dependence. Our dermatology team is here to help you find a safe, effective treatment to reduce outbreaks and achieve your clearest skin yet. If you or your child are suffering from acne, you deserve a clinician who will work closely with you to improve your concerns and find a treatment that will be successful and pain free.
Where Does Acne Come From?
Greasy foods are not to blame for acne. Instead, acne develops when pores become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Hormonal changes with the onset of puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can result in more pore-clogging oil. Bacteria thrive in these areas and cause inflammation, which appears as red pimples or tender, pus-filled lumps and large, solid lumps under the skin (cysts and nodules respectively). Whiteheads and blackheads are less serious types of acne than cysts and nodules, which can leave scars behind long after your last outbreak. Whiteheads occur when the pore becomes so plugged up that the follicle wall bulges. If the plug is instead open at the surface and exposed to air, it will darken and produce a blackhead. Stress, some dairy and carbohydrate-rich foods, and medications such as corticosteroids can trigger or make existing acne worse.
Where Does Rosacea Come From?
While there are many unknowns associated with this condition, rosacea is linked to problems with the way facial blood vessels dilate. Excess blood is brought to the surface of the skin, which results in characteristic flushing and redness. Research suggests rosacea may be inherited. Some ethnicities appear more prone to rosacea, including those of Irish, English, Scandinavian, Welsh, Scottish, or Eastern European descent. A fair complexion is considered a risk factor. Other factors thought to trigger this rush of blood and to aggravate existing symptoms, include:
- Hot or spicy foods and beverages
- Alcohol consumption
- Sun exposure
- Stress
- Hot baths or saunas
- Medications such as prednisone or blood pressure pills that dilate blood vessels
- Genetics
What Happens During My Appointment?
During your appointment, Dr. Bengelsdorf or our physician assistant will meet with you to obtain a detailed history of your skin. We will first consult with you and discuss your current routine, lifestyle, past prescriptions, and treatments and obtain a detailed medical history. Next, we will diagnose the condition and come up with a treatment plan catered to you and your individual needs.
What Are Some Common Ways to Treat Acne or Rosacea?
Therapies May Include:
- Prescription medications (tretinoin, BPO products, creams, gels)
- Prescription topical skincare
- Spironolactone (a medication to help target the hormonal causes of acne)
- Oral or systemic medications
- Laser therapy such as photorejuvenation
- Light-based therapies such as LED Therapy
- Chemical peels
- Dermabrasion techniques
- Medical grade skincare
Dr. Bengelsdorf may recommend proven, safe medical-grade skin care products and lifestyle modifications for at-home care and maintenance of results seen with in-office treatments. Don’t wait another day for the therapies that will help you look and feel better. The sooner you schedule a consultation by calling (615) 595-8177, the greater your odds of preventing serious complications such as scarring, lasting facial swelling, and tissue buildup.