Acne Specialist

Dermatology Consultants of Asheville, PLLC

Dermatology & Board Certified Dermatologists located in Asheville, Woodfin, NC

Many people share the common experience of getting a troublesome acne breakout with pimples, inflammation, and oily skin. At Dermatology Consultants of Asheville in Woodfin, North Carolina, Jose Mendez, DO, and his team treat severe cases of acne with chemical peels, topical products, oral medications, and light therapy. To find out if your acne requires clinical care, call the dermatology practice or book an appointment online today.

Acne Q&A

What is acne?

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that is highly common, especially among teenagers. Your pores get clogged with the oils from your skin, as well as dead skin cells. Bacteria can join them and lead to inflammation and irritation. 

If you have acne, you likely have at least one of several types of blemishes that usually come with the condition. You might get:

  • Blackheads
  • Whiteheads
  • Papules (small red bumps)
  • Pustules (papules with pus on the top)
  • Nodules (large, tender bumps deep within your skin)

Acne is most common on the face, chest, back, and shoulders, though you can get it in other areas too. 

What causes acne?

There are many factors that can cause or worsen your acne. A few common contributors that are linked to new or worsening acne are:

  • Hormone fluctuations during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause
  • Testosterone therapy
  • Corticosteroids
  • Oily skin care products
  • Stress
  • Carbohydrate-rich foods
  • Friction or pressure on your skin

Each of these can contribute to the development of acne or simply make it worse. Acne’s link to puberty is the main reason why teenagers get it more often than adults, but you can get acne at any age. 

While an acne breakout isn’t permanent, acne scars can be permanent. Acne scars often come from very severe cases of acne. You can minimize scarring from an acne breakout by resisting the urge to pop or pick at your pimples. 

How can I reduce my acne?

Acne rarely requires clinical treatment as it usually goes away on its own or diminishes with the use of over-the-counter cleansers and products. You should consider booking an appointment for acne management at Dermatology Consultants of Asheville if caring for your skin at home doesn’t reduce your acne. 

The providers at Dermatology Consultants of Asheville examine your skin and discuss your medical history. Once they assess the severity of your acne, they can prescribe or recommend an effective course of treatment. Effective treatments for acne include:

  • Topical retinoids
  • Topical or oral antibiotics
  • Topical salicylic acid
  • Oral hormonal contraceptives
  • Medications containing vitamin A
  • Light therapy
  • Chemical peels
     

Learn more about available treatments and therapies for acne and acne scars by booking an appointment at Dermatology Consultants of Asheville over the phone or online today.