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I’m Embarrassed About My Acne

July 26, 2021 L.A. Vinas
I’m Embarrassed About My Acne

Everyone has gotten a pimple in their lifetime. While pimples come and go, acne is a more severe skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles get blocked with oil and dead skin cells.

Acne is generally not harmful to your physical health, but its emotional effects shouldn’t be overlooked. Most acne sufferers find it embarrassing to live with, and this hinders their self-esteem and can prevent them from engaging in social activities.

At L.A. Vinas Plastic Surgery, with locations in West Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie, Florida, we provide medical-grade skin care and a variety of treatments to improve acne so you can love your skin again.

Why acne occurs

No one wants acne, but it’s a condition that affects more than three million people every year. While many people think acne is caused by dirt, it’s actually caused by an overabundance of skin cells.

You have more than 20,000 pores on your face. Pores allow your skin to breathe while also releasing oils and toxins. Each pore is composed of a hair follicle and oil gland which work together to keep your skin hydrated and soft.

Problems in this process can arise like:

  1. Overproduction of oil
  2. Bacteria clogged in pores
  3. Dead skin cells collecting in pores

When oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells build up on your skin, a pimple may appear. Acne is most common among teenagers but can occur at any age.

Its emotional impact

Living with acne is no fun. You might feel like whiteheads, blackheads, and redness have overtaken your appearance. You probably know that acne affects your skin, but the damage it can do to your mental health is often worse.

Studies have proven acne linked to:

  • Low self-esteem
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Decreased quality of life
  • Feelings of isolation

If you’re unhappy with how you look, you may feel less inclined to engage in social situations. Low self-esteem can affect your job performance and could also prevent you from dating. People with moderate-to-severe acne often experience harsher emotional impacts than those with mild breakouts.

Treatments

You don’t have to just live with acne breakouts. Although there are hundreds of products you can find to improve acne, sometimes these aren’t enough to clear up your skin.

Our skin care experts offer custom treatments to improve mild to severe types of acne. Here are some of the treatments we offer:

Topical creams

Have you tried over-the-counter acne products with little to no improvement? Luis Vinas, MD may suggest a topical cream like a retinoid in the form of a cream, gel, or lotion. You apply this kind of medication directly to breakouts, and most patients notice an improvement in a few weeks.

Antibiotics

Dr. Vinas may prescribe antibiotics for moderate to severe forms of acne. Antibiotics work to kill bacteria and reduce redness and inflammation. Antibiotics can be used in addition to a retinoid for the first few months of treatment.

Accutane®

For moderate to severe acne, Accutane may be an option. Accutane is a powerful drug that is a naturally occurring component of vitamin A that is found in your bloodstream. It improves acne in more than half of cases, making it the most successful treatment available.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a great way to improve acne while getting smooth, healthy-looking skin. First, a water-based solution is applied to your skin to loosen it up. Next, a diamond-tipped device emits ultrasonic vibrations into your skin to lift away dead skin cells and promote the growth of new ones. This rejuvenating treatment can improve the appearance of whiteheads and blackheads.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy

ICON™ IPL is a revolutionary technology that uses different wavelengths of light to heal sun damage and acne breakouts. It’s safe to use on all skin types and works to smooth skin tones and skin texture while improving a variety of skin concerns like age spots, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation.

Stop living with the physical and emotional impacts of acne today. No matter how mild or severe your acne is, we can help improve your skin.

Get a clear complexion today — contact us to schedule your appointment.

Call your dermatologist or contact us to request an appointment if you notice any of these signs.
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