361 Hospital Road, Suite 533, Newport Beach, CA 92663

Acne & Acne Scarring
Conveniently located to serve Newport Beach and Orange County

Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. Although it’s common, it is often misunderstood and dismissed as a condition of no consequence that teens with “grow out of.” Myths about acne are as common as the condition itself and often lead to a delay in successful treatment.

What Exactly Is Acne?

Many people think that acne is just pimples. But a person who has acne can have blackheads, whiteheads, pink papules, pustules, cysts, or nodules. Furthermore, without treatment, dark spots and permanent scars can appear on the skin as acne clears. Not only can patients suffer physical damage from their acne, but they can also suffer emotional trauma from having to deal with the acne on their face while trying to participate in their normal daily activities.

When Does Acne Typically Develop?

Most people who have acne are teenagers or young adults, but acne can occur at any age. Newborn babies can get acne. Men and women get acne. A growing number of women have acne in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. This may be related to fluctuating hormones, stress, inappropriate skin and hair products, family history, underlying medical conditions, medication side effects or high dietary intake of dairy and high glycemic foods. Regardless of the cause, adult acne can be particularly frustrating.

What Causes Acne?

Acne is a multi-factorial disease, meaning there are many contributing factors, including genetics, hormones, medications, diet stress. However, although all these things may contribute to acne, the four main factors cause acne are:

  • Oil production
  • Dead skin cells
  • Clogged pores
  • Bacteria

Acne typically appears on your face, neck, chest, back and shoulders. These areas of skin have the most oil glands. Acne occurs when hair follicles (pores) become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. This creates an environment where bacteria can thrive. With loads of bacteria inside, the pore becomes inflamed (red and swollen). If the inflammation goes deep into the skin, an acne cyst or nodule appears.

Acne Treatment Options

Today, there are many effective acne treatments. This does not mean that every acne treatment works for everyone who has acne. But it does mean that virtually every case of acne can be controlled.

Because acne has many causes, often more than one prescription is necessary to control the disease. Some help kill the bacteria, others work on reducing the oil, clogged pores, and inflammation. Some oral medications for women help regulate hormone levels and their effects on the skin.

No acne treatment works overnight. Most take 2-3 months to reach their maximum potential so patience and persistence are important. Furthermore, most treatments are aimed at preventing new acne. Therefore, once acne clears, you must continue using the treatment to prevent further breakouts.

My entire family is treated at Ocean Clinic. They have treated my child for acne and we have had wonderful results . They ask questions and listen attentively to provide the best treatment possible . I am always recommending it to friends and colleagues.

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Those with mild acne may be able to control their acne with over-the-counter or prescription topicals (creams and gels). Those with more extensive acne or deep, painful inflammatory lesions may require oral medications to control their acne. Your dermatologist may also treat your acne with a procedure that can be performed during an office visit. These include laser or light therapies, chemical peels, and acne surgery (or extractions).

LightStim for Acne

At The Ocean Clinic, we offer LightStim for Acne, a safe and effective blue LED light therapy treatment for mild to moderate acne. This state-of-the-art procedure is FDA-approved and involves treating the skin with multiple wavelengths of light.

The blue LED light energy destroys the bacteria that cause acne to form. This in turn clears up existing acne and lessens the severity of future breakouts. LightStim for Acne also rejuvenates the skin, restoring youthful texture, tone, and clarity.

LightStim for Acne is safe for all skin tones and skin types. One to three treatments during the course of a week can lead to optimal results.

This treatment method works very well on its own and can also be combined with other acne treatments, including oral and topical medications and acne extractions.

Treating Acne Scars

Waiting for acne to clear on its own can be frustrating. Without treatment, acne can cause permanent scars, low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. To avoid these possible outcomes, dermatologists recommend that people treat acne. Equally important is to avoid picking or squeezing at acne and to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning and reapply throughout the day as needed to help prevent marks and scars left behind from acne.

However, if your acne has already progressed to form scars, there are still options available to make the scars more cosmetically pleasing once your acne is controlled. These treatments include lasers, Morpheus 8 (microneedling with radiofrequency), microneedling, fillers, subcision, excision, chemical peels, and steroid injections. Your dermatologist will evaluate the type of scarring you have and recommend the treatment that is best for you and your skin type.

Set Up Your Consultation

The best way to find out more about addressing acne in Newport Beach is by contacting The Ocean Clinic. Schedule your appointment for a consultation to finally get your frustrating acne under control and achieve a better quality of life.

Dr. Amy Reinstadtler will see you in her office in Newport Beach.

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