Affecting 40-50 million people in the United States at any time, acne is a common yet frustrating skin condition for adults and adolescents alike. At Daphne Panagotacos, M.D., Inc., in Westlake Village, California, dermatology experts Daphne Panagotacos, M.D., Stephanie Porter, DNP, and Mojan Deriss, PA-C, treat acne using individualized, multifaceted approaches. To effectively address your acne, call Daphne Panagotacos, M.D., Inc., for an appointment or book online today.

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What is acne?

Acne is a widespread skin condition that develops when your pores and hair follicles get clogged with oil (sebum). Dead skin cells also clog the pore and can attract bacteria, which causes inflammation and irritation.

Because your face, chest, and shoulders produce more oil than other areas of skin, these are the most likely regions to develop acne. Having acne won’t affect your overall health, but long-lasting breakouts can be hard to get rid of and a significant hurdle for your self-confidence.

A lot of different factors contribute to acne, and one of its primary causes is hormones. This is why teenagers, who produce hormones as they go through puberty, commonly get acne. Anyone can get acne, but adult women are more likely than the general population to experience breakouts.

What does acne look like?

Daphne Panagotacos, M.D., Inc., diagnoses acne based on its appearance during a basic skin evaluation. Your providers look for these two main types of acne while reviewing your skin at your consultation:

Inflammatory lesions

Inflammatory lesions are often red or painful. Some, like cysts and nodules, are below your skin’s surface. Papules and pustules are more clearly visible because they’re on the surface but may or may not be painful.

Non-inflammatory lesions

Non-inflammatory lesions do not show signs of infection like pain, irritation, or redness; they are pores full of oil and dead skin cells. Whiteheads are closed pores while blackheads are open.

How is acne treated?

Daphne Panagotacos, M.D., Inc. works to select the best treatment plan for your acne according to your individual needs. Your treatments aim to control breakouts and prevent lasting acne scarring, a long-lasting consequence of deep or severe acne that can also happen if you pick or pop your pimples. Individualized treatment plans can involve:

  • Professional extractions
  • Laser or light therapies
  • Chemical peels
  • Acne facials
  • Cortisone injections
  • Retinoids
  • Antibiotics for infection
  • Salicylic acid products
  • Hormonal contraceptives

It usually takes some time to see results with any acne treatment, and Daphne Panagotacos, M.D., Inc. can tell you what to expect with your specific therapies.

If you’re concerned about your acne coming back after it finally goes away, you can ask for skin product recommendations that work well for oily or acne-prone skin. You should also make sure to shower after exercise and avoid placing pressure or friction on your skin, like with helmets or tight hats and clothing.

Managing acne might feel impossible with over-the-counter treatments and home remedies alone. Call Daphne Panagotacos, M.D., Inc., or schedule an appointment online for professional acne management today.