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Acne is a skin condition with blackheads, whiteheads, red pimples and cysts. It usually affects the face, but can also involve the upper body. Acne affects people of all ages and in some, can leave dark marks or pitted scars.

Acne in teenagers is caused by the hormone testosterone, which increases during puberty and stimulates sebaceous glands of the skin to grow, make oil and plug pores.

In adults, acne may be related to hormones, stress, childbirth, menopause, or medications. Diet, specifically certain dairy products and high glycemic index foods, may exacerbate acne in some patients.

In general, if you are prone to acne, you should wash your face with a mild cleanser and warm water daily. Washing too much or too vigorously can make acne worse. Any products used on the skin should say “non-comedogenic” on the bottle. This means they do not contain pore-clogging ingredients.

Acne is a skin condition that appears as pimples on the skin, mainly on the face, although it can also occur on the back, neck, and chest as well. It can significantly impact a person’s appearance and self-esteem. For some people, acne is a once-a-year occurrence; for others, acne can be constant.

It is a common skin condition that affects people of all ethnicities and ages. Acne can occur anywhere on the skin and typically occurs during the teenage years and affects the face region between the nose and mouth, including the cheeks, jaw, chin, and neck. Acne can cause painful redness, swelling, and pus-filled blemishes on the skin.

When acne becomes painful and difficult to manage, professional treatments are available. has The board-certified dermatologists at Spring Street Dermatology take the time to listen to our patients’ concerns to determine the best treatment plan for each individual.

Acne is caused by an overproduction of sebum, a natural oil produced by the skin, and dead skin cells that accumulate on the skin’s surface. When these build up and block the tiny pores on the skin, it can form a pimple, whitehead, or blackhead.

Acne can be triggered by hormones, stress, food, and lifestyle choice. Triggers may vary from person to person, making it more challenging to determine the culprits.

The leading causes of acne include:

• Excess oil
• Clogged pores
• Bacteria
• Hormonal changes
• Medications

Acne comes in many different forms, and it often gets worse before it gets better. For example, you may have cystic acne with inflamed pimples. Another type of acne is comedonal, which tends to be less severe than cystic acne.

Breakouts can be broken down into several categories, including:

• Whiteheads: Closed, white bumps that form due to oil and dead skin
• Blackheads: Open bumps that fill with excess oil and skin and can appear dark in color
• Papules: Small inflamed red or pink bumps
• Pustules: Pus-filled pimples that look red or inflamed
• Cysts: Larger pimples filled with pus that can be painful
• Nodules: Large and painful like cysts, also deep-rooted and long-lasting
• Fungal acne: Itchy and inflamed pimples that form due to excess yeast in hair follicles

In addition to topical and oral medications, Spring Street Dermatology in New York also offers these therapies:

• Photodynamic Therapy: This treatment is for severe acne and acne scars. It uses a photosensitizing solution and BLU-U light that treats acne from deep within the oil glands.
• Laser Genesis: This laser heats the lower dermal layers to boost collagen production and fade hyperpigmentation due to acne.
• Phototherapy: This device penetrates the skin with ultraviolet B light to reduce inflammation and treat acne.
• AviClear: This newly FDA approve treatment targets the source of the acne.

Schedule your acne treatment in New York City online today.

Acne scars can also be challenging to deal with, making patients feel self-conscious about their appearance long after the breakouts have stopped. Acne scars aren’t caused by acne itself—they’re caused by the healing process. Acne scars can be lighter or darker in color than your original skin and can appear as a line, a circle, or both. Acne scars can be flat or raised and can take many different forms. They can range from minor marks on the skin to large scars that disfigure the face or body. Acne scarring is permanent if left untreated. Spring Street Dermatology offers several treatments to improve the appearance of acne scars, including:

• Secret RF: A radiofrequency microneedling device that can reduce acne scarring. The device delivers precise energy at various depths to treat difficult acne scars effectively.
• Vivace RF: Another microneedling device that treats acne scars. This device uses quick and consistent needle insertion to stimulate collagen and eliminate deep acne scars for clearer and smoother skin.

To learn more about acne treatment options, contact the dermatologists at Spring Street Dermatology in SOHO and Uptown, NYC. You can also schedule an appointment online here.

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