Are you tired of living with Acne in Kissimmee, FL, and Windermere, FL? If so, it’s time to consult with Dr. Sharon Stokes at Stokes Dermatology. If you've been dealing with breakouts throughout your life, or it's become a recent chronic occurrence, you may have tried other over-the-counter treatments to no avail. That's why it's time to see a professional who can help you with different strategies to get to the underlying problem.

What Is Acne and Why Do You Have It?

 Acne starts due to clogs in hair follicles under your skin. When your skin produces excessive oil or sebum, it can clog those follicles and produce different types of bumps, referred to as acne. Acne can come in several forms, such as whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, or cystic lesions.

Some people have a hormonal reaction to acne, especially during menstruation, pregnancy, or excessive cortisol production from stress. Flare-ups can result from poor skin care, such as not washing their face properly or sleeping with makeup on.  Having a poor diet, not being aware of food allergies that can cause flare-ups, and not staying hydrated can also cause this issue.

How Can a Dermatologist Help?

 When you are dealing with acne in Kissimmee, FL, or Windermere, FL, you have access to professional care that can get to the underlying source of your acne problem. Once your dermatologist determines what's causing the pimples, Dr. Stokes can treat that issue and help prevent it from occurring or at least reduce its flare-ups. She may prescribe Benzoyl peroxide or topical or oral antibiotics to remove infections and bacteria or unblock pores. Sometimes, skin infections that cause acne need laser therapy. If you have major whiteheads or blackheads, your dermatologist may use extraction to remove them.

What Lifestyle Adjustment Can Help?

 Proper facial cleansing and internal detoxing with healthy food and water are essential to skin care. Understand what foods trigger a breakout, like dairy, chocolate, or greasy snacks. If you wear makeup, throw out old ones that have expired and check the ingredients to see if you have an allergic reaction. Try to find skin care products that won’t block pores, such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and noncomedogenic products.

Sleeping on clean bed linens, especially pillows, reduces the chances of having your face on a dirty surface for several hours a night. So get into the habit of regular washing and frequent changing of linens.

Skin breakouts affect many people, but help is available when you contact Dr. Sharon Stokes at Stokes Dermatology. You can reach the Kissimmee office at (407) 944-0999 or the Windermere office at (407) 876-0994. Please schedule an appointment, and let’s get the process started.