As the most common skin condition among Americans, acne causes significant physical symptoms, along with anxiety, depression, and low self-confidence and self-esteem. In fact, the emotional impact of acne can be especially severe during social events, including holiday gatherings and parties.
There’s good news though: Acne treatments have significantly improved and expanded over the past decade as our understanding of the disease has improved. By paying special attention to your skin now, you can enjoy clearer, smoother, healthier-looking skin by the time the holiday season arrives.
As a leading dermatology and esthetics practice in Salem, Virginia, Starkey Medical Esthetics offers an array of acne treatments focused on helping patients of all ages enjoy healthier, more beautiful skin. In this post, Michele Meinhart, FNP, details some of the things you can do now to help your skin look its best in less time than you probably imagine.
Acne is caused by bacteria that naturally live on your skin and inside your pores, tiny openings in your skin that contain hair follicles and oil (sebaceous) glands. Acne breakouts happen when these pores are clogged with excess oil and dead skin cells, trapping bacteria inside the pores.
Inside the pore, it’s warm and moist — an ideal environment for acne-causing bacteria. These tiny germs respond by rapidly multiplying, setting off an infection response that triggers redness, swelling, and pus formation that we see as whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples.
Researchers aren’t sure what causes acne, but they do know hormones are a primary contributor to acne and acne breakouts. Changes in hormone levels can alter oil production and skin turnover, leading to clogged pores. Certain medications may also trigger breakouts, and acne may be exacerbated by specific foods or from stress. Having acne does not mean your skin is dirty.
Acne is a chronic condition that requires ongoing medical management. As your skin changes over time, your therapy needs to change, too — and that’s why frequent office visits are essential.
In addition to acne medications, we offer treatments aimed at reducing excess oil and supporting skin turnover to keep pores clear of debris. Depending on your skin’s specific needs, we may suggest one of the following:
Every treatment plan is specifically tailored to help your skin thrive.
In addition to medical therapies, we also provide lifestyle guidance to help you adopt skin-healthy behaviors. That includes establishing a regular skincare routine featuring products formulated for acne symptoms.
Don’t let acne keep you from enjoying this holiday season. To learn more about custom solutions to help manage your acne symptoms, call 540-389-0909 or book an appointment online at Starkey Medical Esthetics today.
