ACNE:
At Live Oak Dermatology we are skilled in the treatment and management of acne. We serve East Cobb, Alpharetta, and surrounding Atlanta areas from our convenient Roswell location.
OVERVIEW
Acne is a disorder involving the hair follicle and sebaceous gland resulting in a variety of lesions including comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, cysts, and nodules which can result in scarring.
GENERAL TIPS:
ACNE: TIPS FOR MANAGING (Complements of AAD)
Wash twice a day and after sweating. Perspiration, especially when wearing a hat or helmet, can make acne worse, so wash your skin as soon as possible after sweating.
Use your fingertips to apply a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser. Using a washcloth, mesh sponge or anything else can irritate the skin.
Be gentle with your skin. Use gentle products, such as those that are alcohol-free. Do not use products that irritate your skin, which may include astringents, toners and exfoliants. Dry, red skin makes acne appear worse.
Scrubbing your skin aggressively can make acne worse. Avoid the temptation to scrub your skin aggressively.
Rinse with lukewarm water.
Shampoo regularly. If you have oily hair, shampoo daily.
Let your skin heal naturally. If you pick, pop or squeeze your acne, your skin will take longer to clear and you increase the risk of getting acne scars.
Keep your hands off your face. Touching your skin throughout the day can cause flare-ups.
Stay out of the sun and tanning beds. Tanning damages you skin. In addition, some acne medications make the skin very sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light, which you get from both the sun and indoor tanning devices.
Using tanning beds increases your risk for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, by 75 percent.
Consult a dermatologist if:
Your acne makes you shy or embarrassed.
The products you've tried have not worked.
Your acne is leaving scars or darkening your skin.
RESOURCES
Acne links:
Although acne comes in many forms, including blackheads and whiteheads, the most severe type of acne is a pimple that develops deep in the skin, causing a red, swollen and painful bump. To treat this type of pimple at home, follow these tips to alleviate pain and reduce the pimple's size, swelling and redness.