The Causes Of Acne Scarring & How To Avoid It

acne scarring

Acne is a common skin issue that affects millions of people every day. No one wants to see it appear, but the body’s reaction to hormones, pollution, and other irritants causes it to form. Some people get acne scars that form in response to constant breakouts or damage to the skin when trying to remove an unwanted pimple. Acne scars are another unwanted issue as they affect the appearance of your face, and are difficult to disguise. 

Luckily, you don’t have to live with acne scars if you don’t want to. Modern dermatology has developed techniques and tools that break down scar tissue and reduce its appearance. Undergoing acne scar removal in Southampton, PA., can deliver results you never thought possible. Here’s why it’s worth considering. 

Why Acne Forms

Acne is the result of inflammation in the lower layers of your skin. Bacteria, dead skin cells, and dirt fall into your pores with frequency, but cleansing habits and the body’s immune system prevent the debris from being an issue most of the time. When your body goes through an inflammatory cycle from hormones or sun exposure, it causes the pores to swell and trap the debris. The result is a comedone, also known as a whitehead or blackhead.

How Acne Causes Scars

Comedones are like having a balloon inflating under your skin. The inflammation makes the pore expand and weakens its walls, but it doesn’t always result in scarring. Scars happen when there’s damage to the skin by trying to pop a stubborn pimple.

When the pore walls are weakened in this manner, the balloon pops and releases the contents into your skin. The body responds by repairing the damaged section of skin but goes overboard in its efforts. During the healing process, the body delivers collagen to the damaged area and sometimes brings in too much of it. This results in a scar that’s visible on the skin’s surface or can be felt underneath. 

Can Acne Scars be Treated?

Yes, acne scars can be treated through the process of acne scar removal in Bucks County with the help of a dermatologist. There are several approaches that a dermatologist uses to resurface your skin and flatten the scars. The overarching goal of treatment for acne scarring is to wound the scars and encourage the body to create new collagen in response. 

Purposefully damaging the body’s scar tissue causes the body to replace the scar tissue and make the area soft again. Techniques such as dermabrasion and chemical peels remove the outer layer of old skin, stimulating the body to grow new, softer skin and reducing the appearance of the scars. More aggressive techniques such as laser resurfacing work by heating the scar tissue and damaging it at deeper levels. Other techniques include microneedling, excision, dermal fillers, and more.

There are multiple proven techniques that treat acne scars and reduce their appearance. It’s a matter of visiting a dermatologist to find the one that’s right for you. 

Come See Us at Pennsylvania Dermatology Specialists for Help With Acne Scars

Looking to get rid of your acne scars for good? Give us a call at Pennsylvania Dermatology Specialists for an appointment with one of our dermatologists. We’ll set you up for an evaluation appointment, so the dermatologist can determine what type of treatment is best for your scars. The treatments that you’ll receive are dependent on the presentation of your scars, but you can rest assured that we’ll treat you with compassion and understanding. We’re passionate about skin and helping you put your best face forward, and we want you to feel your best.

Adult Acne: Causes & Treatment Options

Adult Acne: Causes & Treatment Options

Acne is something that people are supposed to grow out of as they leave their teenage hormones behind. Or so you would think. The fact is, acne can become a lifelong condition that returns during certain phases of life for various reasons. It affects both women and men alike, but it’s something you don’t have to suffer from with the help of the best dermatologist in Bucks County, PA.

What Causes Adult Acne?

There are multiple causes of adult acne that include:

  • Hormones
  • Stress
  • Sunlight exposure
  • Excess oil production
  • Genetics
  • Bacteria

All of these are triggers that cause the skin to react adversely and become inflamed. The result is that the pores become clogged with dead skin cells, bacteria, hairs, and other microscopic debris that result in what are known as comedones. They appear as open pores with a black head or closed pores with a white head. You can have both types at the same time, and they can appear anywhere on your face and body.

Sometimes, acne becomes inflamed to the point you have red bumps and soreness in the affected area. If they aren’t treated, they can cause scar tissue to form and leave behind a pitted appearance on your skin. This is why it’s important to treat your acne as soon as you notice its appearance.

Getting Treatment for Adult Acne

Acne can be stubborn when it comes to getting rid of it due to the various factors that cause it in the first place. The dead skin cells mix with your body’s oil (sebum) and become sticky. You may find it difficult to remove the comedones on your own, you’re worried about creating scars, or you’re not sure which topical product works the best. The best course of action is to make an appointment with a Southampton dermatologist who can treat your acne and help you prevent its return.

A dermatologist will examine your skin and determine the type of treatment that’s most effective for your acne. That can involve using tools to manually remove your comedones and eliminate the risk of scarring without damaging your skin in the process. Inflammatory acne is also treatable, and you can get relief from the soreness during your appointment. More severe acne presentations, such as cysts, are also treated during your appointment unless pre-treatment is needed to reduce its size.

Treatment ultimately depends on the type of acne you’re experiencing, its severity, and persistence. The dermatologist can provide you with cleansers and washes that prevent your dead skin cells from clumping and clogging pores and slow down or stop the cycle of eruptions. Some cases are severe enough to require medication that stops the body from overproducing oil and causing acne scars from repetitive breakouts.

Can Acne Damage be Repaired?

Yes, acne scars can be removed through a process known as microneedling. Undergoing acne scar removal in Southampton, PA, involves undergoing multiple sessions with the dermatologist using a tool known as a microneedling pen. The microneedling pen creates invisible cuts in the scar tissue and stimulates the body to repair it with new skin.

The skin that fills in the cuts is more elastic and smoother than scar tissue, and your skin’s appearance improves as a result.

Make an Appointment With Us Today to Start Eliminating Adult Acne

No one wants to see acne on their face as an adult, and we at Pennsylvania Dermatology Specialists fully understand why. Get in touch with us today for an appointment and get started on eliminating your adult acne. Our dermatologists can help you get free from your blemishes now and provide you with options for keeping comedones from reappearing. We want you to look your best, and we have the knowledge and experience to help your skin look great.

Dealing with Adult Acne? How Your Diet Can Lead to Acne

Dealing with Adult Acne How Your Diet Can Lead to Acne

If you’ve ever wanted to know how to rid your skin of acne, you might want to learn how adults get it in the first place. For one, having acne can harm your emotional health and lead to depression. Not to mention the fact that skin blemishes can negatively affect self-confidence. Therefore, it’s imperative for adults to understand the causes of acne and to find solutions to this problem. 

How Do Adults Get Acne?

If you’ve ever noticed acne on your skin when you’re stressed out, this is because adults who are under constant stress get acne. Consequently, this can be an ongoing problem. A person’s body responds to stress by producing extra androgens, which are a type of hormone. Furthermore, when the androgens stimulate the skin’s hair follicles and oil glands, acne may occur.  After you turn 25 years old, you’re susceptible to post-adolescent or adult acne. If you’d like further guidance on how to deal with this problem, an acne dermatologist in Philadelphia could help. 

The Impact Food Has on Skin

According to research, milk and whey protein are linked to acne. Indeed, your diet can make your acne worse, since what you eat can affect hormones. For instance, foods with high sugar content, such as milk, can cause insulin levels to rise. This can change other hormones and affect the skin. Other foods you may want to avoid to reduce acne concerns include fast food, greasy food, whey protein powder, dairy products, chocolate, and foods you’re sensitive to, among others. But if you’ve already tried to take care of acne yourself, you may have obtained scars from irritating your skin.

For this reason, you may want to consider acne scar removal in Southampton, PA. Experts can give you the advice and treatment you need to achieve skin that’s clearer and healthier. A few other foods that can cause adult acne are:

  • Cake
  • White bread
  • Soda
  • Ice cream
  • Candy
  • French fries

Reasons to Work with a Dermatologist

To eliminate unsightly skin blemishes, a dermatologist can address your concerns by educating you about acne. A professional can also list specific products that effectively deal with your issue. This can help avoid wasting your money on products that aren’t right for your skin. A dermatologist can look at your skin, recommend useful products for you to try, and begin treating your acne. 

Contact a Professional

Unsure of your next step? The experts at Pennsylvania Dermatology Specialist are ready to help. Contact us today!

Which Treatments Will Work Best for Back Acne?

Which Treatments Will Work Best for Back Acne?

Acne can be difficult to treat.  It’s even harder to treat acne that you can barely reach.  However, it’s not impossible.  In fact, some types of treatment don’t involve any medication at all.  Aside from prescription medications, there are medicated over-the-counter products you can use.  There are also some changes to your daily routines that you should consider making.

Workout Routine

As you work out a great amount of sweat and dirt can get lodged in your pores.  It’s highly advised that you take a shower immediately after your workout to remove the sweat and dirt.  Tight-fitting clothing is also going to trap that sweat in your pores as you’re exercising, so it’s recommended that you instead wear loose-fitting clothing.  Make sure you only work out in clean clothing as well.

Benzoyl Peroxide

This is a common over-the-counter remedy for acne anywhere on the body.  It kills the bacteria that cause breakouts, and can easily be found in many foaming face wash at any corner store or pharmacy.  It’s best used when left on the skin for two to five minutes so the medicine can properly penetrate the skin.  However benzoyl peroxide has been known to bleach clothing, so you will need to rinse it off properly.  It can also irritate sensitive skin by causing peeling and dryness.

Salicylic Acid

This OTC ingredient is also found in many skincare products as well.  However there is an increased risk of toxicity when applied to very large areas, so if you’re going to use this on your back be careful to only apply to the afflicted area.  When using products that are high in either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, place a small amount on your wrist and monitor the area for any reaction for roughly twenty-four hours.

See a Dermatologist

There are many other lifestyle changes you can make and products you can try.  But the most effective way to treat acne anywhere on the body is to make an appointment with a dermatologist.  To find a great acne dermatologist in Philadelphia make an appointment with Pennsylvania Dermatology Specialists.  We offer a wide variety of dermatology services in Southampton, PA.  Whether you struggle with cystic acne, psoriasis, need allergy testing, or simply want a second opinion our clinic is ready and willing to give you the care you deserve.  Contact us online or by phone to schedule your first appointment today.