About 50 million Americans are affected by acne every year, making it the leading skin condition in the United States. While many people think of acne as a “teen problem,” it affects millions of adults, too.
Breakouts are bad enough as a physical malady, but acne also causes emotional issues, like anxiety and depression. That’s because your skin is visible, and when it’s besieged by breakouts, it can leave you feeling extremely self-conscious.
With locations in Salt Lake City, Murray, Draper, Tooele, and West Jordan, Utah, ENT Specialists offers a complete medical spa, as well as skin care products focused on keeping acne symptoms at bay. If you’re struggling with acne, here’s what you should know about this common skin condition and how it’s treated.
Acne happens when pores are clogged with debris — mostly dead skin cells and oil. Bacteria that normally live on your skin feed on the debris, multiplying and causing inflammation under your skin.
Your body responds by sending special cells to fight the infection. Often, pus — a byproduct of the infection — forms under your skin, causing painful pimples.
Researchers aren’t sure exactly why acne happens, but they do know it’s related to hormonal changes, including the changes that happen during the teen years. This is also why, for women, breakouts often happen around the time of ovulation or menstruation.
In addition to hormones, researchers think these other factors may play a role in acne breakouts:
Stress and anxiety can make symptoms worse.
What researchers know for sure is that acne is a skin disease, and it needs to be managed with regular medical care. Home care alone is rarely enough to prevent breakouts and the scarring they can cause.
Acne treatments have evolved over the years, and today’s products and treatments are highly effective. The key is finding the right combination that works for you. You also need regular office visits to ensure your treatment plan stays on track, even as your skin’s needs change over time.
At ENT Specialists, our team begins acne treatment with a thorough skin evaluation. That’s because in order to identify the best combination of products and treatments, we need to understand what’s causing your acne and how acne is affecting your skin.
After your evaluation, we may recommend special acne facials or other topical treatments aimed at helping clear your pores and calm inflammation. Professional skin care products let you continue to manage your acne at home using a personalized regimen aimed at helping your skin stay healthy and clear.
Acne affects about 85% of teens and millions of adults. Early and consistent medical treatment is essential for preventing breakouts and improving your skin’s health. To learn how we can help, book an appointment online or over the phone with the team at ENT Specialists today.
