People of all ages can suffer from acne. But what causes it, and what can you do to get rid of this annoying skin issue for good?

Acne is troublesome for a multitude of reasons: it can erode confidence, it can leave negative first impressions, and worst of all, it can leave a permanent reminder of itself with scars. Many of us may not be aware that simply going to the pharmacy and picking up whatever cleansers are available won't be an effective way of dealing with chronic, cystic acne. So what options are there?

What's causing YOUR acne?
In order to defeat it, you have to know what created it. And unfortunately with certain causes of acne, this requires more than throwing a good cleanser or toner at it. Acne can be caused by several different factors, including excessive oil production, hair follicles clogged by dead skin and oil, bacteria, or an excessive type of hormone (androgens). In many cases, all of these factors are working in unison to wreak havoc on your skin and it's important that you deal with each issue properly. Visiting a dermatologist can help you get to the root of the problem efficiently so you don't waste time and money on things that only irritate your skin, or worsen your acne.  

So you've discovered the cause—what treatment should you get?
There are a wide array of treatments based on both the patient's preference and their recommended course of treatment. Some patients prefer systemic treatments in the form of prescription medication aimed at correcting the imbalances that can lead to breakouts. Accutane is one of those options and is typically best for cases of severe acne. Topical solutions (applied directly to the skin) are often effective for patients struggling with severe acne, or a combination of treatments including lasers, light therapy, chemical peels, photodynamic therapy, microneedling, and more. 

Your acne finally cleared—how do you keep your skin glowing and flawless? 
The first thing you need to do after finally clearing your skin is set up a daily, weekly, and monthly routine to maintain your results. This includes formulating a daily skincare routine that cleanses, tones, and protects your skin properly. After that, see what types of exfoliators and masks you can incorporate into that routine on a weekly or twice-weekly basis to provide a deeper cleansing of your skin. We recommend charcoal masks for their acne-destroying properties. And on a monthly basis, make sure you are setting up treatments such as HydraFacials to keep up with extractions and reduce inflammation.

Did your acne leave behind some unpleasant scars?
Struggling with permanent acne scars often erode what little self confidence patients are able to recover after curing their acne, and luckily there are plenty of options available to get rid of the scars. Lighter treatments like microneedling up to more drastic procedures like CO2 and Fraxel are just several options available for scar reduction. Click here to read about the many options available to treat all types of scarring, including atrophic scars, and see what works best for you.