Uderm Uderm

Acne Treatment in Chattanooga, TN

Acne is an extremely common skin condition where the pores become clogged with dead skin cells and oil. Acne is most common in teenagers going through puberty, but it can flare up at any point in life. The cause and type of acne can determine the best treatment for you.

The board-certified dermatologists at Uderm offer acne consultations to determine the treatment option that best fits your condition and your lifestyle. If you would like to learn more about the treatment options available , please call (423) 206-2777 to schedule a consultation at our dermatology clinic near Chattanooga, TN. You can also schedule your consultation through our secure online form.

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What Are The Symptoms of Acne?

Acne blemishes can appear as:

  • Blackheads
  • Whiteheads
  • Papules
  • Pustules
  • Cysts
  • Nodules

Depending on the type of blemishes you have, you could experience inflammation, redness, or tenderness. The most common areas to have acne are the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, upper arms, or buttocks.

What Are Some Common Causes of Acne?

The main causes of acne are excess oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, and hormones.  Normally, dead skin cells are shed at the surface of the pore, but excess oil can cause the skin cells to stick together and become trapped inside the pore. For this reason, acne most commonly appears on areas where there are more oil glands.

Certain factors that have been known to make acne worse including:

  • Hormones. Acne can worsen during puberty when the level of androgen, a hormone in both boys and girls, increases. Other causes of hormone fluctuation, like pregnancy or taking oral contraceptives, can cause or worsen acne.
  • Stress. Stress can be linked to the severity of your acne.
  • Diet. Some studies have indicated that certain foods, including carbohydrate rich foods, can worsen acne.
  • Medications. Certain medications can trigger or aggravate acne.

How is Acne Treated at Uderm?

Your dermatologist may recommend a variety of over-the-counter or prescription medications to help treat acne.

Topical treatment

  • Benzoyl peroxide comes in a cream, lotion, wash, or gel that works to destroy the bacteria associated with acne.
  • Salicylic acid can come in a lotion, cream, or pad that works to unclog pores.
  • Retinoids decrease the swelling and inflammation, but a prescription is typically needed.

Medication

  • Topical or oral antibiotics can be prescribed to kill the skin bacteria and reduce redness.
  • Medication that affects your hormones, like birth control pills, can be prescribed to help acne.
  • Accutane is in the same class of drugs as retinoids, but it is taken orally and is used to treat severe cystic acne that hasn’t responded to other treatments.

In-Office Treatment

  • Laser or light therapies can reduce the bacteria on your skin and work to improve acne.
  • Chemical peels can treat blackheads and papules and encourage the sloughing of dead skin cells.
  • Your dermatologist may recommend other treatments including facials specifically for acne or extractions of whiteheads or blackheads.

Schedule a Consultation for Acne Treatment Near Chattanooga, TN

If you are experiencing symptoms of acne that won’t go away, contact the dermatologists at Uderm to discuss the treatment options available and determine a plan for you. To schedule a consultation at our dermatology clinic near Chattanooga, TN, please call (423) 206-2777 or schedule an appointment online today!

Request an Appointment

Acne Frequently Asked Questions

Over-the-counter washes that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide are effective in treating acne.

Acne typically does not go away without some form of treatment or lifestyle modification, except neonatal acne.

Acne affects people of all ages, starting in some people as young as 8 years old and lasting in some adults as late as their 40’s and 50’s.

For some individuals, acne is caused by consuming a high glycemic diet, such as sugary foods and drinks. Cow’s milk has also been linked to an increase in acne flares. These products cause inflammation in the body which leads to an increase in oil production and clogging of the pores.

Drinking water is good for hydrating your skin, but it alone does not clear acne. The best option would be to decrease the number of sugary drinks a person consumes and start an acne treatment.

The cause of acne differs from person to person, but breakouts typically start from clogged pores. Some of the most common factors leading to acne breakouts are hormones, oily skin, stress, diet, and genetics.

Wash your face morning and night with an acne wash that has either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. You can also use an acne spot treatment and a retinoid cream at night. If you play sports or sweat during the day wash your face immediately after. If unable to wash immediately use a disposable face wipe to clean your skin.

Absolutely not! Having acne does not reflect on a person’s health or personal hygiene.

There are a variety of acne medications such as; retinoids, antibiotics, medicated washes, and hormonal treatments used to treat acne. Treatment options are discussed during an office visit and an individual treatment regimen is tailored to the patient. All acne treatments take time to work and you may not see results for several months.

There is no specific age that acne will resolve. Some people will experience teenage acne, which may resolve in their early 20’s, whereas others can experience adult acne, which can start in their 20’s and last until their 40’s or 50’s. Unfortunately, some individuals deal with acne as a teenager and an adult.

Yes, there is adult acne and it can vary in severity from person to person.