Acne Treatment in Ogden, UT
Acne is the single most prevalent skin condition in the United States. It can affect the face, neck and back, beginning in adolescence and often continuing well into adulthood. While it is not life threatening, many people may seek treatment to clear up their skin to boost self-esteem and avoid permanent scars and dark marks from appearing. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation floating around out there and it can be difficult to sort through it all to find a solution that works for you. You may even try things that end up aggravating your skin and making the problem worse! When over-the-counter medications and topical ointments fail to produce the desired results, our dermatological experts at Allen-Taintor Dermatology | Ogden Clinic is ready and willing to help.
Causes of Acne
Despite common belief, diet and hygiene have not been shown to play a significant part in causing or clearing up acne (although maintaining good eating and washing habits are always recommended). Excess oil production and accumulations of dead skin cells can clog up your pores and follicles, creating an environment for bacteria to thrive. Eventually the site becomes infected and produces unsightly and potentially painful whiteheads and blackheads. Additionally, hormonal imbalances, medications and stress can all trigger or exacerbate acne.
Treatment Options
Acne can be a persistent and very visible problem that is difficult to treat since everyone’s skin reacts differently. The good news is that for every type of acne and skin out there, there are just as many types of treatments. With the guidance of your dermatologist, finding the right treatment or combination of treatments doesn’t have to feel like a hopeless task. In fact, once the right balance is found, you may experience dramatic changes in your complexion for the better that you never thought were possible.
Topical Medications
Topical creams and ointments are usually applied to dry, clean skin and go about clearing up acne in a variety of ways. Retinoids are derived from vitamin A, and prevent the plugging of hair follicles that allow bacteria to grow and become infected. Antibiotics, on the other hand, kill the bacteria themselves. Mild side effects may include redness, dryness and peeling, but can usually be mitigated with advice from your dermatologist.
Oral Medications
The most severe cases of acne often require oral antibiotics as part of treatment. Tetracyclines are the first line of defense against inflammation and bacterial growth and can do a lot to improve your complexion. To prevent antibiotic resistance, the dosage is usually tapered off as soon as signs of improvement are observed. For women, combined oral contraceptives can be useful in stabilizing hormonal imbalances that aggravate acne. The most severe cases are treated with Accutane (Isotretinoin). While this is a very powerful and effective method of clearing up your skin, the side effects can be quite serious and will need to be closely monitored by your dermatologist.
Dermal Therapies
There are a variety of other options available for the treatment of acne. Light therapy and chemical peels are two very different methods of stopping bacterial growth and vary in their effectiveness and side effects, depending on what other treatments you are currently undergoing. Nodular and cystic acne treatment includes direct injections of certain steroids deep into the skin.
Acne Scar Treatment
Scarring is a very common result of acne that can cause embarrassment and lowered self-esteem. However, there is a wealth of options to choose from depending on the type and extensiveness of the scarring. Injections of collagen, fat or other soft tissue fillers can make scars less noticeable, while chemical peels, dermabrasion and laser resurfacing work to remove damaged layers of skin. There are also surgical options to remove individual scars.
Results
While it may take some trial and error to find the right combination of treatments for you, you can rest easier knowing that most people eventually find effective solutions. The root causes of acne, 
along with its after-effects, are all readily treatable. Whether you are a parent of an adolescent or are seeking adult acne treatment yourself, you can regain confidence and a gorgeous complexion with the guidance of an expert.
Call us at 801-528-6088 to learn more about our acne treatments in Ogden Utah!
