Eczema & Psoriasis Treatments

Take Control of Your Acne with Expert Dermatological Care

Acne is a common yet highly treatable skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Although it’s often associated with teenagers, acne can affect people of all ages, from adolescents to adults.

Early and effective treatment by a board-certified dermatologist is a must, not only to clear existing acne but also to prevent lasting scars and promote overall skin health. At Clarus Dermatology, our expert dermatology team designs customized treatments tailored to your skin type and acne concerns

Understanding Acne: Causes & Types

Acne forms when hair follicles become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, causing inflammation and breakouts. The most common causes include:

• Excess oil production
• Clogged pores
• Bacterial infections (Propionibacterium acnes)
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Stress, dietary factors, and environmental influences

These root causes can lead to multiple types of acne, including:

• Comedonal acne, characterized by whiteheads and blackheads
• Inflammatory acne, which presents as red, swollen papules and pustules
• Nodular & cystic acne, which involves severe, deeper breakouts that often cause pain and potential scarring
• Hormonal acne, which typically appears around the jawline and chin and is often linked with hormonal cycles.

Personalized Acne Treatments

At Clarus Dermatology, we understand that every patient’s skin needs are different. We work hard to create personalized acne treatments that fit your skin type, acne severity, and medical history. This may include:

Topical Treatments

Topical solutions are often the first line of defense for treating mild to moderate acne. These medications are applied directly to the skin and help target clogged pores, bacteria, and inflammation.

• Retinoids & retinol: Accelerate skin turnover to prevent clogged pores.
• Benzoyl peroxide: Effectively eliminates bacteria and reduces inflammation.
• Salicylic acid: Gently exfoliates skin, clearing clogged pores.
• Topical antibiotics: Specifically target bacteria and soothe inflammation.

Oral Medications

When topical treatments aren’t enough, oral medications can help address acne from within by targeting internal causes, such as bacteria or hormones.

• Antibiotics (Doxycycline, Minocycline): Control bacterial growth and inflammation.
• Hormone Therapy (Birth Control, Spironolactone): Regulates hormone-driven acne.
• Isotretinoin (Accutane): Potent medication for persistent or severe acne cases.

In-Office Procedures

Depending on the situation, we may also recommend in-office treatments that complement your at-home care to reduce active acne and prevent scarring.

• Chemical peels: Exfoliate the skin, promoting healthy cell turnover.
• Laser & light therapy: Reduce acne-causing bacteria and minimize redness.
• Cortisone injections: Quickly relieve inflammation and reduce the size of cystic acne lesions.
• Extraction procedures: Safely clear deep-set whiteheads and blackheads, promoting clearer skin.

Overview

Acne is the formation of multiple blemishes on, or just beneath, the surface of the skin, usually on the face, neck, chest, shoulders and back.

Acne can affect anyone, but it most commonly affects adolescents and young adults.

Causes

Acne occurs when small openings in the skin, called pores, become blocked with dead skin cells and oil.

A blocked pore causes a buildup of oil in the sebaceous glands. These are the oil-producing glands of the skin. When trapped oil builds up within these glands, bacteria can multiply rapidly, which causes inflammation of the surrounding tissues.

Types of Blemishes

Acne blemishes may take the form of large pustules (pimples) or small red bumps (papules).

Small, dark clogged pores (blackheads), or small, white bumps (whiteheads) may also form, as well as small nodules or cysts beneath the skin.

Triggers

Acne breakouts can be triggered by hormonal changes associated with puberty or pregnancy, certain medications, and by a diet rich in dairy or carbohydrates.

Acne is not caused by eating greasy or sugary foods or by having dirt on the skin.

Treatment

Acne is usually treated with cleansing products designed to remove excess oil and bacteria from the skin.

Acne can also be treated with prescription-strength topical or oral medications, laser or light therapy, and cosmetic procedures such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion.