A look at the amount and variety of acne products found at the store is proof that the search is on for answers. It also means there are many people looking for solutions to their own breakout issues. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) reports that 85 percent of percent of people between the ages of 12 and 24 experience at least some minor acne. This is not a skin condition limited to the young either. Adult acne effects people that may have never even had breakout in their younger years and people that have a re-occurrence of acne after years of clear skin. All of these statistics add up to make acne the eighth most common disease in the world. Acne certainly effects many people, of a variety of ages in all parts of the world. The impact it has on these acne sufferers varies also. The physical results of acne lead to days missed at school and work. The social stigma can mean that people with breakout avoid situations, like pursuing new jobs or relationships, creating an emotional and psychological impact on them for years down the road. As the science of treating acne moves more from mono-therapy to combination therapy options, confusion and frustration can become more of an issue for some people.

How Long Does It Take to Have Clearer Skin?

There is little doubt that this has been a concern for many throughout the years. Because there are many options in over the counter (OTC) products to treat acne, frustrations on what to use and how to treat acne is to be expected. It may be tempting to avoid seeking medical help for acne and to try and treat it on your own for various reasons; cost, embarrassment, time, etc. to name a few. “Don’t wait too long. We can more easily treat acne than acne scarring,” advises Dr. Maria Sheron of Vanguard Skin Specialists. (For some ideas on how to treat acne scarring, check out this video). Having a medical provider, such as a dermatologist like Dr. Sheron, overseeing your acne treatment plan is recommended. They know what combination of approaches to try and when it’s time to try something else. “It can take several months to see changes. Acne is not something that is treated overnight,” says Dr. Sheron. The guidance of a medical professional, some patience, and the knowledge that you are not alone in dealing with your acne, can all make all the difference in your pursuit of clearer skin.

Which Products Do I Need for My Acne?

When it comes to prescription and OTC products to choose from, there are some familiar ingredients that are commonly relied on for the treatment of acne. Topical retinoids, antimicrobials, topical antibiotics, and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) can be found as singular ingredients and treatments or combined into one product or product regimen. The difference between OTC products and medical-grade skin care is the level of active ingredients and the type of active ingredients used in formulation. In medical-grade skin care, products do not have unnecessary ingredients, such as fragrance. These extra ingredients can be especially irritating to acneic and sensitive skin.

At clara, the medical-grade skin care options in the Focus by Vanguard line include a cleanser, a moisturizer, a glycolic acid topical, and a cream called PharmaBlend – which can be compounded with different percentages of retinoic acid. The newest addition to the product options for acne at clara is a 10% BPO facial cleanser. These options can support a treatment plan prescribed by a dermatologist and they can be used as post-care options. For example, the Reveal Glycolic 10 product in the Focus by Vanguard line can help inhibit the bacteria that contributes to active acne, and it can also help reduce the look of pigmentation caused when blemishes heal. Because some prescriptions and medical-grade skin care for acne treatments can cause some side effects, such as peeling and irritation, guidance and follow-up is important.

What’s Next? – I Am Ready To Try Something!

The bottom line is that there are options to address the different factors that cause acne. There are ingredients and medications that help with bacteria proliferation, that address the dead skin and sebum that clog pores, and ingredients that can help reduce inflammation. Knowing what you are using and how that combination of ingredients or ingredient is affecting acne, is helpful to understanding why slow and steady progress is more typical while treating acne. If you are interested in learning more about your own acne-prone skin, a complimentary acne skin consultation at clara, located on Grand Cordera in Colorado Springs, may be a good place to start. Call 719-579-5555 to schedule. Complimenting your treatment plan with makeup that helps acne-prone skin is also suggested. A free makeup consultation can be added to your skin consultation appointment. Let us know when you schedule your appointment that you are interested in the full the Back-to-School consultation to allow time for both services. 

To schedule an acne treatment appointment with a medical provider at any of Vanguard Skin Specialists five locations, please call 719-355-1585. There are options to treat acne. Knowing what will work for you will help take the frustration out of dealing with this concern on your own. With your compliance in doing what is recommended and the patience to wait for these changes, reaching the goal to make acne a distance memory sooner rather than later is possible.