Your aesthetic medicine specialist in Portland can help you avoid acne scarring

Although acne affects a large majority of young people, this condition is not restricted to only the teen population. Many adults also experience breakouts. Regardless of your age, acne can cause a great deal of emotional turmoil. At Thrive, we believe in working quickly to solve the problem of acne with personalized treatment, helping our patients avoid the scarring that is possible with this condition.

Causes of acne

Some believe that teens are the primary sufferers of acne due to their lifestyle habits, which may include fast food and a lack of regular skin care. In reality, teens are most afflicted with acne because hormones fluctuate dramatically during this time in life. One of the side effects of these fluctuations is the increased production of skin oils and waxy sebum. In normal amounts, these substances help the skin retain moisture, and supply a protective barrier. When the body produces too much, the pores may become clogged, which prevents the natural elimination of dead cells and bacteria.

Even healthy skin has a bit of bacteria present most of the time. These microorganisms, however, can multiply rapidly. When pores become clogged, they may accumulate around hair follicles, triggering an acne breakout.

Acne scarring

Pimples can be more than a temporary problem. In some instances, acne can leave permanent marks on the skin. The risk of scarring can be significantly reduced by working with your aesthetic medicine specialist in Portland. Our team is able to recognize the type of acne we are treating, and determine the risk of scarring. Often, this depends on the type of acne that a patient is experiencing.

Non-inflammatory acne is a condition in which follicles filled with pus are able to drain through an open pore. This type of acne tends to be milder, with a decreased risk of scarring. Sometimes, if pus cannot adequately drain from the follicle, a rupture can occur within the follicle. This inflammatory acne releases sebum and bacteria into nearby tissues, resulting in a greater risk of scarring.

Minimizing the effects of acne

Acne is a common skin condition, for which there are many treatments. Most often, mild acne can be treated with topical solutions, including over the counter products to keep pores clean and open. Every person is different, however, and some may not respond as hoped to such treatment.

When acne does not respond to over the counter treatment within four to six weeks, the risk of scarring is increased. Dr. Maddox and the team at Thrive in Portland are well versed in the types of acne, the needs of the skin, and in innovative forms of treatment to treat acne successfully.

Don’t let acne diminish your quality of life. We have solutions that can work for you. Contact Thrive today for your skin check-up.