What is acne?

Acne Blog by

Kristen Fernandez, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

You are not alone! Acne Vulgaris, commonly known as acne, is one of the most prevalent skin conditions worldwide. It affects millions of people, especially during adolescence, but can persist into adulthood. Acne can significantly impact one’s self-esteem and quality of life. In this blog we will explore acne – its causes, symptoms and treatment options.

What is acne?

Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that primarily affects oil (sebaceous) glands. It typically manifests as pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and sometimes deeper cysts or nodules on the face, back and/or chest.

Causes of Acne:

Several factors can contribute to the development of acne:

1. Excess Oil Production
   1. Our sebaceous glands produce oil to lubricate the skin in order to keep it moisturized and flexible. Overproduction of oil can clog pores.
2. Dead Skin Cells
   1. Dead skin cells can accumulate and block the hair follicles.
3. Bacterial Growth
   1. Cutibacterium acnes is a bacteria that normally lives on the skin’s surface. It can multiply and clog our pores leading to inflammation.
4. Hormonal Changes
   1. Androgens are a group of hormones that are present in both males and females. These hormones increase during puberty, pregnancy and other hormonal disorders. This increase can stimulate an overproduction of oil. Women may experience flare-ups related to their menstrual cycle or conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
5. Other Factors
   1. Diet, stress, medications and genetics can also influence acne.

Signs and Symptoms of Acne

Acne looks different for everyone. Acne lesions can include:

1. Comedones: open (blackheads) or closed (whiteheads).
2. Papules: small, red, inflamed bumps.
3. Pustules: pimples filled with pus.
4. Nodules: large, painful lumps beneath the skin surface.
5. Cysts: deep, pus-filled lesions that can cause scaring

Treatments:

Acne can be managed with a variety of treatments, ranging from over-the-counter products and prescription medications to lasers, depending on severity.

Over the counter products: Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, adapalene

Prescription medications: Topical/oral antibiotics, hormonal therapies, topical/oral retinoids including Isotretinoin (Accutane)

In-Office Procedures: Intralesional corticosteroid injections, chemical peels, blue light, intense pulsed light (IPL) our BBL HEROic, AviClear Laser by Cutera

• What is Aviclear? Aviclear is the first FDA-cleared energy device to treat mild to severe inflammatory acne. This laser treatment uses a 1726nm wavelength to target and suppress sebaceous (oil) glands, reducing oil production without harming the skin’s surface. It is safe for all skin types. This treatment involves three 45-minute sessions spaced 4 weeks apart. Clinical studies have shown that approximately 92% of patients experienced at least 50% improvement 12 months after their final treatment session. This treatment is great for patients who are looking for an alternative to oral and systemic medications, which come with their own set of side effects. The procedure is well tolerated with topical anesthesia prior as well as other comfort measures. If you are struggling with persistent acne and seeking an alternative to traditional medications, ask us about AviClear at your next visit.

Scarring: Once your acne is under control, we can address any scarring left behind. At Skin Associates of South Florida we offer the latest technology including microneedling without radiofrequency (SkinPen Elite) or with radiofrequency (Lutronic Genius) as well as , fractional resurfacing lasers (Fraxel 1550nm Laser, Deka SmartXide Touch CO2 laser) to improve all types of acne scars. We also offer vascular lasers and lights (Cutera Excel V, Lutronic DermaV, or BBL HEROic)to target redness after acne, also known as post-acne erythema.

When to see your dermatologic provider:

If your acne is persistent, painful, scarring or impacting your daily life, come see us at Skin Associates of South Florida. We can tailor a treatment regimen to you and avoid long-term damage. You are not alone on this journey. Clearer skin is possible!

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Citations

Oberoi, J. (2023, July 6). Different types of acne (with pictures) & their treatment. Life Pathdoc. https://lifepathdoc.com/types-of-acne-and-their-treatment/

Results – aviclear en-US. Aviclear. (n.d.). https://aviclear.com/en-us/results

Reynolds RV, Yeung H, Cheng CE, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2024;90(5). doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.017