Struggling with Acne? We Can Help

There's no such thing as being too old for acne. Pimples don't just affect teenagers but can continue to be an issue in your 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond. No matter what your age, your Valparaiso and LaPorte, IN, dermatologist, Dr. William Applegarth of Applegarth Dermatology, can help you improve your complexion with acne treatment.

Topical medications offer a simple solution to control your acne

The acne products on the shelves in Valparaiso and LaPorte area stores can be helpful if you have mild acne but might not be quite as effective for stubborn or severe acne. Your dermatologist may recommend prescription topical medications like tretinoin, adapalene and tazarotene instead. Applying the medications to your skin nightly, or as often as your skin doctor recommends, increases skin cell turnover, unclogs pores and prevents new pore blockages that can cause acne lesions.

Antibiotics and oral medications provide extra acne-fighting power

If topical medication alone doesn't control your acne, your doctor may suggest adding antibiotics to your treatment regimen. Topical antibiotics are applied directly to your skin and work by reducing redness and killing p. acnes bacteria. If your acne is particularly stubborn, your skin doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic for a few months.

Isotretinoin, another oral medication, may be an option if you have severe or cystic acne that hasn't responded to other treatments.

Blue light treatments, chemical peels and microdermabrasion may be the perfect options for you

Improving your complexion may be as simple as exposing your skin to blue light during treatments in your dermatologist's office. The treatment kills bacteria and decreases inflammation that causes redness.

Removing the top layers of skin offers an innovative way to clear acne lesions. A day or two after a chemical peel solution is applied, revealing smoother, acne-free skin. Microdermabrasion treatment uses a handheld device to gently remove the outer layers of the skin that contain acne lesions. Both treatments can also remove shallow acne scars.

Are you struggling to find an effective acne treatment? If you live in the Valparaiso or LaPorte, IN, areas, Dr. William Applegarth can help you enjoy clearer skin and fewer flareups. Contact the dermatologist at Applegarth Dermatology in Valparaiso at (219) 548-0360, or call the LaPorte office at (219) 362-0161 to schedule an appointment.