Acne Specialist

What is acne?

Acne is a common skin condition that causes inflamed red bumps on the skin when oil and dead skin cells clog your hair follicles. While acne affects people of all ages, it’s most common during puberty and your teenage years. Without effective treatment, acne can continue well into adulthood and leave scars on your skin.

Are there different types of acne?

Not all acne looks and feels the same. There are many different types of acne that can affect your skin, including:

Whitehead

Whiteheads are common types of acne that looks like a small white bump protruding from the skin. They are typically difficult to treat because the top of the pore is closed up.

Blackhead

If you have a blackhead, the top of the pore is still open, which gives it a black or brown appearance.

Papule

A papule is a type of inflammatory acne, which occurs when bacteria penetrates deep within your skin and causes infection. Papules are typically pink and tender to the touch.

Pustule

Similar to papules, pustules are inflammatory acne that look red in color and form a white or yellow head.

Nodule

Nodules are a painful type of inflammatory acne that are typically too large and deep to treat with at-home products.

Cyst

Cysts are the most severe form of inflammatory acne. They penetrate even deeper than nodules and are typically extremely painful to the touch.

How is acne treated?

Washing your face, not touching your face, and avoiding pore-clogging makeup and products can help reduce acne. A low-dairy diet that’s rich in leafy greens and nutrient-rich vegetables can also improve the appearance of your skin.

However, if at-home treatments are no longer treating your acne effectively, Dr. Henry may recommend the following:

Antibiotics

Oral and topical antibiotics kill the bacteria that causes acne and reduce inflammation and redness.

Topical creams

Prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide and retinoic acid reduce acne-producing oils in your skin to minimize acne.

Laser therapy

The Aerolase laser is FDA-approved to treat both acne and acne scars. This state-of-the-art laser penetrates deep within your skin to minimize oil production, destroy acne-causing bacteria, and reduce inflammation without damaging the surface layer of your skin. Dermatologists also use the Aerolase laser to reduce the appearance of acne scars, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, rosacea, unwanted hair, and vascular lesions.

If you’re tired of dealing with acne on your own, call Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan or book an appointment online today.