Acne Clinical Trials & Acne Treatment in South Florida
What Is Acne?
Acne is a common skin condition that may affect a teen, middle-aged adult, and anything in between. This condition occurs within hair follicles and oil glands called sebaceous glands. These glands produce the oil that maintains skin moisture. When pores and glands become clogged with skin cells and debris, you might develop pimples and other acne symptoms.
Acne is a condition in which your hair follicles, also known as oil pores, become blocked, which often leads to the formation of pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads at the surface of your skin. Acne typically develops on areas of the body where the skin produces a lot of oil, such as the facial area. Other areas commonly affected by acne include:
- Your chest
- Your upper back
- Your shoulders
Contact Skin Care Research, LLC for acne treatment in Boca Raton, FL if you have noticed it appearing in these or any other areas of your body recently.
What Causes Acne?
There are several factors that contribute to the development of acne. One of the primary factors is hormones. This is why we most often see irritation, pimples, and blackheads on the faces of teens and young adults. During adolescence and early adulthood, there is an abundance of androgens, which are male sex hormones. These are present in both boys and girls and, when androgen production increases, so does the activity in the sebaceous glands. In addition to natural biological changes, hormone levels change during pregnancy and when starting or stopping oral contraceptives.
More oil from the sebaceous glands is one contributing factor for acne. Normally, the sebum exits the hair follicles and lies on the skin. Acne tends to occur when this oil cannot escape hair follicles. It becomes trapped beneath the skin by cellular debris. The trapped oil may then join with bacteria, resulting in inflammation and acne.
Despite the myths, eating greasy foods, wearing makeup, and poor hygiene does not cause acne. Instead, common causes of acne include:
- High level of oil production by the body
- Clogged oil pores
- Bacteria
- Certain hormonal imbalances
You may be more prone to developing acne if you:
- Are a teenager
- Have a family history of acne
- Come in contact with greasy or oily substances
- Place frequent pressure on or frequently rub your skin (e.g., placing a phone to your ear)
While acne occurs mainly in teenagers, adults may also be affected. Stress and certain medications, treatments, or foods may also irritate or lead to the development of acne.
How Is Acne Diagnosed?
Acne does not usually require a diagnosis, as acne is often visible on the affected skin. However, if your acne is persistent or painful and does not respond to over-the-counter treatments, you may want to set up an appointment with a skin specialist who can evaluate the severity of your acne and explain your treatment options. Once the doctor looks at your skin, they can recommend skincare, products, medications, and professional therapies based on your needs.
Acne affects everyone differently. If you have acne, you may display any of the following symptoms of the skin:
- Whiteheads
- Blackheads
- Pimples
- Large, hard, painful masses under your skin (cystic acne)
Large, painful, red bumps that are settled deep in your skin could be a sign of cystic acne. If you believe you have cystic acne, a dermatologist can examine your skin to help determine whether you suffer from this condition and what treatment options may be best for you.
What Are the Different Types of Acne?
Acne is acne. However, there are different types of pimples and lesions that may develop. These may include:
- Whiteheads, which are sealed pimples with tiny white dots at the tip.
- Blackheads, which are open pimples that look black due to the oxidation of the exposed sebum.
- Papules are small red bumps that may occur in clusters, making the skin feel rough.
- Pustules, a sign of inflammatory acne, look red with yellow or white pus-filled tips.
- Nodules are hard, sensitive bumps under the skin.
- Cysts are deep, pus-filled pimples that occur deep in the skin.
Your doctor plans your treatment according to the type of acne lesions you have.
How is Acne Treated?
When you visit a dermatologist for acne, you can feel confident that they have the resources to achieve satisfying results as quickly as possible. Your dermatologist will consider many factors when developing your treatment plan. These include your overall health, your age, and the severity of acne.
Based on your needs, your doctor may prescribe a topical acne solution that will gently diminish the inflammation in your skin. These may include ingredients such as antibiotics to slow the growth of bacteria, benzoyl peroxide to destroy bacteria, or retinoids to help unclog blocked pores. If your acne is more severe, you may benefit from an oral antibiotic.
Professional treatments may be recommended as an alternative or complement to topical or oral medication. Your doctor may perform a gentle chemical peel to increase the rate of cellular turnover and remove debris from your pores. Laser and light therapies are often used to help destroy bacteria and resolve acne more quickly. Finally, severe acne may require steroid injections to soothe extreme inflammation.
What Acne Treatment Options Are Available?
Acne can sometimes be treated with certain behavioral modifications, at-home acne remedies, or certain store-bought products, such as acne face washes. Before speaking to a medical specialist, you may first want to consider the following:
- Washing the affected areas with a skin cleanser
- Using over-the-counter products
- Steering clear of skin irritants, such as oily or greasy products
- Providing your skin with proper protection against the sun
- Avoiding skin contact with items or clothing that may cause frequent rubbing against the skin
- Avoiding the temptation to touch the affected skin area
- Showering after physical activity
If the above treatment methods are unable to provide you with the acne relief that you are seeking, set up an appointment with a skin specialist who can recommend certain acne medications, procedures, or other solutions. You and your doctor will work together to determine which acne treatment options are best for you. Acne treatment options may include:
- Certain topical medications
- Certain oral medications
- Whitehead and blackhead extractions
- Laser and photodynamic therapy
- Chemical peels
- Steroid injections
For some patients, a clinical trial for acne may be another treatment option to consider if other acne therapies fail to produce successful results.
Acne Scar Treatment Options
If you have acne scars and are seeking methods to help reduce the appearance of scarring, additional treatment options are available. Acne scar treatments may include:
- Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)
- Lactic acid peels and other chemical peels
- Topical retinoid products
- Salicylic acid products
- Dermabrasion
- Laser resurfacing
- Fillers
- Microneedling
- Certain injections
- Subcision procedure
Your doctor can help determine which of the above treatment options may be best for your type of acne scarring. In addition, acne scar clinical trials may be another treatment option to consider.
How Can I Prevent Acne Scarring?
You may have an inherent risk for acne scarring, so getting the right care is important. Acne scars tend to form from deep acne lesions like cysts but can develop as a result of any degree of inflammatory acne. Your risk for scarring also increases is you pop or squeeze pimples. The number one way to prevent scars is to avoid doing this. The next step is to see a dermatologist right away if acne does not improve with the use of commercial acne cleansers and creams. By acting fast to subdue the inflammation in your skin, you improve your chances of avoiding visible scars.
Can Acne Lead to Complications if Left Untreated?
Left untreated, acne may lead to other problems, which may include:
- Acne scars
- Skin discoloration
- Low self-esteem
Schedule a Consultation
If you have been unsuccessful in finding the right treatment option for your Acne sign up for a future clinical trial today. With over 25 years of experience in the execution of dermatological clinical trials, our team is highly trained and committed to ensuring that all clinical guidelines are met and that the rights of every patient are always protected. Call 561-948-3116 or fill out the form on this page to learn more about our clinical trial options.
