Why Do I Still Get Acne and What Can I Do About It?

Acne, one of the most common skin disorders, usually occurs during the teenage and early adult years. A whopping 85% of people between ages 12 and 24 suffer from this entirely normal, yet often embarrassing, condition. What may surprise you, however, is that 12% of men and 25% of women continue to break out years later. 

Joshua M. Berlin, MD, and our compassionate dermatology team treat medical and cosmetic issues, such as adult and teenage acne, at our Boynton Beach, Florida office.

The many faces of acne

Acne takes many forms, including:

• Raised red papules with white pus-filled tops
• Blackheads form when oil is exposed to the air
• Papules, comprised of painful, pink bumps
• Pus-laden pimples called pustules
• Nodules, hard, painful pimples erupting from deep within your skin

Severe cases, such as inflammatory cystic acne, inflict deep, painful areas that often scar.  Dr. Berlin diagnoses your acne to decide which treatment works best.

Why now?

Acne occurs when hair follicles fill with oil, skin cells, and bacteria. As women age, their estrogen often wanes while testosterone increases. This promotes excess oil production, leading to clogged pores and adult acne. Men also get acne due to hormone-related issues. 

Sweating and bacteria in clogged pores also increase acne breakouts in both men and women. Stress also triggers acne by increasing cortisol levels and inflammation. It amplifies androgen hormones that stimulate hair follicles and oil glands, resulting in acne. Adult acne also tends to stick around longer since skin cells reproduce more slowly as we age, lengthening healing time.

How to treat acne

Let’s face it: No one likes acne at any age. Dr. Berlin offers a variety of options, such as state-of-the-art laser technology, to address it. In less than an hour, lasers:

• Resurface your skin
• Unveil fresh, unblemished skin
• Reduce unsightly acne and acne scars

Once the top layer of your skin peels off in one to two weeks, the underlying area emerges blemish-free.

Dr. Berlin may also inject corticosteroids into acne cysts and nodules to lessen inflammation. We also employ other techniques, such as chemical peels, microneedling, and fillers.

Lifestyle modifications

While you may not prevent all occurrences of acne, you can tame it. Dr. Berlin recommends you:

• Cleanse your skin regularly
• Use non-oily moisturizer daily
• Avoid tanning without non-oily sunscreen
• Keep phones and other devices away from your skin
• Avoid greasy hair styling products, acne concealers, and cosmetics
• Shower after sweating to reduce breakouts
• Avoid picking acne-prone skin, which worsens your condition and may prompt scarring

Reduce sugar and dairy to increase inflammation and acne. Consume plenty of anti-inflammatory foods, such as leafy greens and fruit packed with vitamin C and beta-carotene. 

Acne medications

Dr. Berlin also offers various medications to help clear your acne, such as:

• Salicylic acid to keep pores from clogging
• Benzoyl peroxide, which destroys the bacteria associated with acne
• Azelaic acid, safe during pregnancy, also diminishes the bacteria that clog pores
• Retinoids, a synthetic vitamin A, speed the shedding of pore-clogging skin cells

We may also prescribe topical lotions or anti-inflammatory antibiotics to reduce acne-triggering bacteria.

A clean slate

If you’re tired of dealing with acne or wish to discuss other medical or cosmetic issues, schedule your consultation with Dr. Berlin and our expert team today.