Understanding and Treating the Underlying Causes of Acne
Acne is, quite possibly, the most ubiquitous and frustrating skin condition there is. It affects men, women, and children from adolescence well into adulthood, and it can cause embarrassment, scarring, itching, and painful lesions. Because acne affects people of so many age groups, skin types, and backgrounds, it can seem like the causes are so varied as to be completely unavoidable. However, though they can be difficult to treat – especially when limited to at-home remedies – the causes of acne are well known.
The Underlying Causes of Acne
There are four main causes of acne: excess oil production, bacteria, clogged pores, and dead skin cells. There are, however, some other surprising triggers for acne breakouts, including excessively dry skin. In this case, many people try to combat their oily-prone skin by using cleansers, masks, and topical skin care products that cause the skin to become overly dry. When skin is too dry, our bodies naturally produce more oils to combat the condition. Unsurprisingly, this results in even more acne than before, and can prove to be a viscous cycle for those trying to deal with acne on their own without the aid of a skin care professional.
Bacteria and clogged pores are also big contributors to acne and are often handled improperly. As acne continues to develop in patients, bacteria levels continue to rise. Using products that are not suited for properly cleansing the skin and pores of acne-causing bacteria may only exasperate the condition. This is why it is important to invest in procedures and products dedicated to the total removal of dirt, debris, and bacteria responsible for acne production.
Finally, skin that is covered in excess dead skin cells is much more prone to acne as hair follicles are often clogged with dead skin. As this occurs, hair follicles become infected, which is why so many pimples seem to occur at the base of our head, facial, and body hair. Using proper exfoliating techniques go a long way in minimizing this issue and ensuring that hair follicles remain free of dead skin cells.
Treatment Options
The good news is that these causes are easily treatable with the right precautions and procedures. At Dermatology Consultants, we offer an array of acne-fighting services designed to exfoliate dead skin cells, such as dermaplaning and microdermabrasion, as well as treatments to clear pores, such as Isolaz skin rejuvenation therapy.
In addition to our acne treatments, we offer an extensive line of skin care offerings formulated to clear active acne lesions, such as Clarisonic, Glytone, and NeoStrata.
To find out more about the causes and treatments of acne, contact Dermatology Consultants today for your complimentary skin consultation using Visia‘s multi-spectrum complexion analysis.