With every change of season, there are new complications that arise for patients living with chronic acne. Now that the weather is warmer and we find ourselves spending more time outdoors enjoying the beautiful surroundings and activities that Colorado has to offer, our complexions will experience environmental stressors such as heat, prolonged sun exposure, dehydration, and excess oil production—all of which can greatly exasperate existing acne symptoms.

Different Types of Acne

Mild non-inflamed acne consists mostly of open comedones (blackheads) and closed comedones (whiteheads), also called comedonal acne. Moderate acne typically consists of inflammatory bumps (papules and pustules), also called papulopustular acne, while severe acne consists of deep painful cysts and nodules, often resulting in scars (nodulocystic acne).

Any type of acne can affect the face, neck, chest, shoulders, and back. Adult-onset acne (specifically adult female acne) often develops on the lower face, jawline, and neck, and consists of deep, often painful, nodules.

At-Home Skincare – Over-the-Counter Acne Treatments

Try to avoid touching your face as much as possible. Avoid rubbing, picking, squeezing, or draining pimples, as it can cause scarring and contribute to more acne breakouts.

We recommend you use makeup, cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen that says it is non-comedogenic, won’t clog pores, or is oil-free.

We often suggest gentle cleansers such as CeraVe, Cetaphil, or Neutrogena. If you have oily skin that is not too sensitive, we suggest a cleanser with the ingredient benzoyl peroxide such as Panoxyl, Clearasil, or Clean & Clear.

Our Clara skincare shop also offers a variety of cleansers, serums, pads, and other topical products that have been formulated with acne-fighting ingredients to support the underlying health and structure of your skin while ridding your complexion of active breakouts and the growth of p. acne bacteria.

Some of our most popular and effective skincare products for acne-prone skin include Retexture Peel Pads, Reveal Glycolic 10, Retinol 5, and Active Foaming Cleanser.

It might not seem like the most obvious treatment option for acne, but regular use of the right sunscreen can go a long way in not only keeping you free of skin cancer, but also minimizing discoloration associated with acne and sun exposure. Clara carries sunscreens specially formulated for those with acne.

Acne Prescriptions Medication

If over-the-counter remedies don’t improve or clear up your acne, you should see a dermatologist. Also, if acne affects your daily life in any way such as avoiding certain activities because of how your skin looks, or if acne is painful or causes permanent pitted scars, you should make a dermatology appointment.

At Vanguard Skin Specialists, our goal is to help you control your acne and minimize scarring. Prescription acne medication can include both topical treatments and oral medications. The treatment regimen will depend on your age, type of acne, severity of acne and patient preference.

It can months or even years to clear up acne, but patients will typically see results after weeks on an effective acne regimen.

Aesthetic Treatments for Acne

In addition to over the counter and prescription acne medications, patients may seek aesthetic treatments that can help with acne.

One effective way to treat the underlying causes of acne is through the application of chemical peels. For example, Vanguard Aesthetics offers the Renew Peel, which works by exfoliating the outermost layers of the skin, clearing the pores of acne causing bacteria and oil buildup, and stimulating natural functions deep within the skin to create a smoother, more radiant, and healthier skin surface.

Chemical peels can be performed periodically throughout the year to keep your face clear of oil, debris, and dead skin cells that can clog pores, cause irritation and redness, and make the skin more susceptible to chronic acne conditions.

Another popular aesthetic treatment for acne is our Laser Genesis procedure. Often considered an “Air brush” for the skin, Laser Genesis is favored for its ease-of-use, minimal downtime, and skin retexturing benefits. In addition to its anti-aging results, this treatment helps breakup dirt, oil, and bacteria that cause acne breakouts and even helps reduce the appearance of acne scars.

Request a Dermatology Appointment for Acne

Whether you experience the occasional pimple or are suffering with chronic acne, our team of dermatologists are available to find the right solutions for your skin. Schedule your dermatology appointment today by filling out our online form or by calling (719)-355-1585.