Teen and Adult Acne

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An area of emphasis at Northern Utah Dermatology is the treatment of acne.  There are different causes of acne.  In this article, I will focus on two types: teenage acne and adult female acne. 

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In adolescence, there are many signals in the body to grow.  These signals affect the oil glands, causing more production of oil.  This oil is often overwhelming to the small pores on a teen's face, leading to plugging, or blackheads.  Bacteria, capable of using oil as a food source, overgrows in the pores.  The presence of this bacteria leads to an inflammatory reaction from the body, resulting in a pimple.  A large amount of inflammation can lead to scarring.   

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Our main goal for teenage acne is to get them through to adulthood without scars! 

We have a variety of treatments to reduce oil production, decrease the population of bacteria, and minimize inflammation.  For a typical patient, we start with a discussion on proper skin care and the proper use of over-the-counter products.  When prescription medications are needed, we begin with topical medications, then move on to oral medications as needed.  We can combine these medicines with chemical peels, facials, and light therapy. 

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Adult female acne can be frustrating for those it effects because it does not respond the same way to the treatments used for teenagers.  Many women will see their complexion change on a monthly hormonal cycle, while for others it is more constant.  These normal hormonal fluctuations wreak havoc on oil production, causing deep nodules often along the jawline. The intense inflammation results in dark areas that take months to fade. 

Treatment for adult female acne is centered on minimizing the effects of the hormones on the skin.  Dermatologists have been safely and effectively using medications that do just that for over 30 years!  Oral medications to modulate hormonal effects in combination with topical medications, chemical peels, and light therapy are helping our patients have clear, healthy, and radiant skin. 

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Acne treatments are individually tailored to meet the needs of each patient’s skin.  If you are interested in clearing your acne, skin blemishes, or even want to know more about options for improving scars, give us a call today. 

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We are excited to help and love to see the improved self-esteem and confidence our patients gain with clearer skin. 

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-Daniel Hansen, DO