Acne is a common condition seen in all age groups - when your pores become clogged by surface dirt and oils, your skin can produce black heads, white heads and pimples. These tiny bumps can be painful, cause long term scarring and can be emotionally devastating to deal with.

There are many different types of acne and modalities to treat this condition. Genetics, stress, hormonal changes, products, foods, environmental stressors, and even some medications can be contributing factors to the severity of symptoms. If the symptoms are severe, and if over the counter cleansers that target bacteria (i.e., benzoyl peroxide) or topical spot treatments are not improving your symptoms, I would recommend seeing a dermatologist to get the underlying disease under control. Sometimes topical or systemic antibiotics are combined with products like benzoyl peroxide to help treat the condition. Contraceptive pills/hormone therapies can additionally be an option to help control acne.

Facial peels are great supplementary treatments to improve your acne symptoms. Specifically salicylic acid-based peels can help remove the most superficial layers of your damaged skin by dissolving dead skin cells. This in turn prevents the buildup and clogging of pores on your skin surface. Salicylic acid peels are anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and promote good complexion for those with oily skin. Our ZO 3-Step Peel, Stimulator Peel and PCA modified Jessner peels all have a salicylic acid component. Deeper peels such as our phenol peel or lasers can address more severe scarring. It is important to note that a series of facial peels will not treat the underlying disease but can help improve symptoms.

Retinoids such as retinol and Retin-A are also great treatment options for those prone to acne. These creams help to prevent the build up of oil and grime on the skin. Caution should be taken with these products and sun exposure avoided. Please consult with your provider before undergoing the retinoid journey.

Here at Visage, we have several facial peels and ZO Skin Health retinol products that help improve skin texture and quality in those with oily prone skin. Please call Visage today to discuss your options with me, Layla Shadman, PA-C.