Just when you thought the hard part of puberty was over, you find that part of it actually followed you into adulthood. Wonderful.
Acne is actually a very common issue among teens and adults alike. If you’re looking for a solution, it will help you to know the type of acne that’s affecting you. The acne you had as a teenager (acne vulgaris) is likely different from typical adult acne (acne rosacea).
As an adult, you could be experiencing either or both of these types of acne. Thankfully, there are treatments that can help to manage and reduce your acne.
How Can I Get Rid of Acne?
If you want the most effective and fast-acting results for managing your acne, the best thing to do is go see a dermatologist. They’re doctors who specialize in the skin, so they can help you achieve the results you want in the fastest and safest way possible.
Why do we say the safest? Because some procedures, such as extraction, can be done at home – but extracting or popping pimples at home is likely to scar or infect the skin. When it’s done at a doctor’s office, they use special sterile instruments to prevent scarring, infection, and the spread of acne bacteria to other parts of your skin.
Some acne responds well to over-the-counter products that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. However, if you’ve spent years battling your acne, a dermatologist can prescribe products that target the specific cause of your acne.
Treatments for Acne in Adults
If your acne has multiple causes, multiple treatments can be combined to make the perfect skin-care regimen for you. Some of the most common treatments are:
- Azelaic acid: Usually prescribed in a cream or gel, this topical treatment has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Alpha-hydroxy acids: These include acne-fighting glycolic acid, lactic acid, and gluconic acid.
- Topical retinoids: These creams or gels can clear up moderate to severe acne by regulating the way the skin grows and sheds.
- Antibiotics: This treatment may be used on top of the skin or taken orally. Antibiotics can help clear the skin of acne-causing bacteria and help reduce inflammation. (Warning: Overuse can lead to antibiotic resistance.)
- Birth control: For women, this can help balance the fluctuations of hormones in the body. It may take 2 to 4 months, but women may see a significant change in their complexion.
- Accutane or Sotret: These treatments are for very extreme cases of acne. These should be considered only if you have severe acne, as this treatment can cause birth defects. Women who opt for this treatment must use foolproof birth control. Despite this and other concerns, these drugs are usually the treatment of choice for severe acne.
Who Can Help With My Acne Problems?
If you’ve been struggling with acne, reach out to an experienced board-certified dermatologist. Dr. Ana M. Duarte and her staff at the Children’s Skin Center for Pediatric and Adult Dermatology are South Florida’s premier dermatology team for your whole family’s skin-care solutions.
With offices in Miami (Nicklaus Children’s Hospital main campus), Coral Gables, Doral, Miami Lakes, Miramar, Kendall, Pinecrest, and Palm Beach Gardens, finding family-friendly dermatology care with a board-certified dermatologist has never been easier or more convenient. Call or text our offices at (305)-669-6555 today. We look forward to serving you.
