Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that can be present in any stage of life whether that be infancy, teenage, or adult years. As understood today, acne is primarily an inflammatory condition and is influenced by fluctuations in hormones as well as other environmental and genetic factors. Hormonal changes can play a prominent role in the type of oil produced by the skin, dead skin cells and bacteria can accumulate in the oil inside the pores, and the body can then direct inflammation towards the oil glands. This kind of inflammation can damage the skin’s collagen, resulting in scarring, or can cause persistent hyperpigmentation or redness in areas of prior breakouts.

RECOMMENDED TREATMENTS

Dr. Sherber works with each patient’s individual concerns to customize an acne treatment regimen. This includes a daily skincare routine to both soothe and manage acne, with a focus on anti-inflammatory ingredients. Often, topical anti-inflammatories such as polyphenol antioxidants are effective in calming inflammation, while exfoliants containing salicylic acid are excellent in unclogging pores. In more difficult cases, prescription approaches that offer more potent formulations than over-the-counter skin care may be advised, and could range from short-contact masks to overnight treatments. For certain patients, hormonal testing may be recommended to assess the underlying cause of the acne and to better prevent the development of new acne breakouts.