Do I Need to See a Dermatologist For My Acne?

Acne can be an unsightly, embarrassing or even painful problem. Although it affects almost everyone at some point in their lives, when it starts to hurt the way you live your life it may be time to see a dermatologist in Colorado Springs to face the problem head on and get treatment to get your life back on track.

Here is some basic information about acne, how it can affect you and when you should seek treatment.

What is Acne? How can I tell if I have it?

Acne most often begins to occur in adolescence and actually affects 96 percent of the population during their teen years. It happens when your follicles become blocked. One of the reasons adolescents are so highly susceptible is that increased hormone production causes an enlargement of the glands around the hair follicles. In a simple blockage, a pimple forms.

With multiple blockages, the skin can become inflamed, bacteria forms in the infected area, creating more blockage. Acne most commonly forms on the face, neck, upper chest and back.

Most people get only mild forms of acne. However in more severe forms it will be persistent and become inflamed, which is what is known as volcanic acne. When it gets to this state permanent scarring can begin to occur. So-called icepick scars form, deep indentations in the skin that occur throughout the affected area. The acne can also leave behind a pigmentation scar, leaving the area permanently red.

So, if you have a few pimples occasionally, and they go away after a little while, unless they are causing you pain, you probably don't need to see a dermatologist. But if you have persistent skin eruptions with discolorations and pitting, you'll want to contact a skin professional to help you manage your acne.

Possible Treatments

Of course, you'll only want to begin treatment under the eye of a professional dermatologist.  There are a number of treatments that can work to reduce or cure chronic acne. Hormonal treatments can be used to decrease the subdural clogging. Antibiotics can reduce the bacterial infection.

There are also a wide variety of treatments and ointments that can clean, reduce swelling in and disinfect the infected areas.

Scarring and pitting of the skin can be treated with dermabrasion, also known as a chemical peel. In this treatment the outermost layer of skin is removed by a cosmetic process.

These and other treatments can be provided by any number of dermatologists in Colorado Springs.