Dealing with pimples as an adult is not unusual. Many women suffer from hormonal breakouts well into their 30s and 40s, which are intrinsically linked to fluctuating levels of androgens. Produced by the adrenal glands and ovaries, testosterone is important for a healthy libido and helps with muscle mass and bone strength.

Increases in male sex hormones like testosterone cause the skin’s sebaceous glands to produce excess oil. This type of hormonal acne tends to occur on the lower part of the face and can include painful cysts right around the start of one’s monthly cycle.

Many of our patients who seek acne treatment in Dallas are bothered by blemishes that coincide with their menstrual cycles. And for many of these women, birth control pills have been the frontline option for treating hormonal acne. Contact us today for a Dallas dermatology appointment because we have different and often more effective treatment options.

Hormonal acne treatment without the pill

As noted, if you are struggling with inflamed skin caused by fluctuating hormones, there are other ways to keep pimples at bay without taking oral contraceptives. Whether you cannot take them or haven’t seen benefits from the therapy, several dermatologist-approved alternatives can be highly effective. We may recommend the following treatments to help you achieve clearer, blemish-free skin.

Oral spironolactone

Spironolactone (Aldactone) is an oral medication that blocks the effects of androgens on the skin. Most women begin to notice less oily skin and fewer breakouts within a month of starting spironolactone, but this treatment can take three months before full results are evident.

Topical clascoterone

One of the newest advances in hormonal acne treatment is WINLEVI topical cream. It is a 1% clascoterone formulation that targets the effects of acne-causing hormones in the skin that cause inflammation and excess oil production. Applied to clean dry skin twice a day, it can help reduce hormonal breakouts within 10-12 weeks.

BBL Forever Clear therapy

Developed by Sciton, BBL Forever Clear is a revolutionary broadband light therapy that treats the root cause of acne – without medication, topical creams, or birth control pills.
Women dealing with hormonal breakouts can see significant improvement in their skin with this quick and painless in-office treatment. BBL Forever Clear uses a combination of blue, yellow, and infra-red light to kill acne-causing bacteria, diminish inflammation and promote the body’s healing process. Most patients will benefit from a series of 6 BBL sessions to get clearer, acne-free skin.

Chemical peels

A series of custom formulated chemical peels with key actives like alpha hydroxy and glycolic acids can remove pore-clogging debris that contributes to painful cysts and blemishes.

Hormonal acne treatment in Dallas

If you would like to discuss your concerns with our board-certified dermatologists and receive a customized hormonal acne treatment plan that doesn’t include birth control pills, please contact us today. Dallas Dermatology Partners has a central office location, serving residents throughout Dallas/Fort Worth, Addison, Plano, Richardson, and Frisco.

Bacne, or acne on your back, happens to all of us at some point in our lives. The good news is that you don’t have to wait for these hard-to-reach blemishes to clear on their own. The first step to treating breakouts on your back is understanding what causes them.

What causes back acne?

Just like breakouts on the face, bacne stems from clogged pores. These blockages are caused by oil, sweat, dead skin cells, and bacteria that get trapped, creating inflammation. One of the most prevalent causes of back acne is contact with sweat-soaked clothes after exercise. Oils and bacteria seep into hair follicles on the back, resulting in pimples and comedones.

Friction is another cause of bacne. Also known as acne mechanica, it is often associated with backpacks, sporting equipment, or tight, nonabsorbent materials that rub against the skin, pushing oil and sweat into the pores.

Pubescent hormones and certain skincare products can also contribute to the development of back acne, manifesting as pimples, cysts, blackheads, or nodules.

Bacne tips for treatment at home

The same actives that treat acne on your face, like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, can also help diminish back acne. These ingredients are effective for three reasons. First, they dissolve dead skin cells that build up and block pores. Next, they also target acne-causing bacteria and help to reduce inflammation. Finally, gentle chemical exfoliation keeps pores open and clean, reducing flare-ups.

You can also lower the risk of getting back acne by:

• Wear moisture-wicking material while working out
• Showering quickly after exercise
• Avoid wearing tight clothing that can cause friction
• Use oil-free skin products that are labeled “non-comedogenic.”
• Avoid wearing a backpack or carrying heavy items that rub against your skin
• Do not use loofahs or abrasive scrubs that can irritate bacne
• Using topical acne treatments to alleviate inflammation
• Moisturize the skin to prevent excess sebum production
• Do not pick

Specific skin care products and lifestyle changes can be beneficial for treating mild bacne. However, if it worsens or doesn’t respond to over-the-counter products over a period of two months, it’s time to schedule a consultation with your dermatologist.

When to see your dermatologist

There are many causes of breakouts on the body and back, and some cannot be effectively managed at home. However, a dermatologist can diagnose and prescribe treatments that clear up severe breakouts, whether caused by environmental factors, changing hormones, or other causes.

The goal of acne treatment in Dallas is to reduce sebum production, exfoliate the skin and eliminate pimple-causing bacteria. A personalized treatment plan may involve a short-term prescription for oral antibiotics, Isotretinoin, hormonal therapy, concentrated topicals, a series of chemical peels, and laser treatments.

Bacne treatment in Dallas

Waiting for stubborn bacne to clear on its own can be trying. Without intervention and dermatologist-guided treatment, back acne can lead to embarrassment and scarring in more severe cases.

Our board-certified doctors can tailor a Dallas bacne treatment that targets the causes of your breakouts and suits your unique needs. You don’t have to live with painful and unsightly acne anymore. Contact us today to schedule a private consultation.

Painful pustules, blackheads, and deep cysts that develop during adulthood are often attributed to hormonal and genetic factors. Hormonal acne is more predominant in women, thanks to fluctuations in estrogen, androgens, and progesterone during monthly cycles and pregnancy. These breakouts are usually inflammatory in nature and can be challenging to treat with over-the-counter products.

Causes of hormonal acne

Fluctuating hormones cause the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. This oily substance accumulates with environmental pollutants and bacteria, clogging the pores. Typically, breakouts occur on the lower third of the face and are most prominent just before the menstrual cycle, when testosterone levels rise.

Another culprit of hormonal acne is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This condition is most common during a woman’s reproductive years. It causes a hormonal fluctuation that increases the intensity and duration of menstrual cycles, resulting in painful breakouts along the chin, cheeks, and jawline.

Worsening of hormonal acne can also occur during perimenopause and in women taking progestin-based oral contraceptives. This adult-onset acne takes many forms and can develop as papules, pustules, blackheads, whiteheads, and deep cysts.

Treatments for hormonal acne

There are a variety of options for treating hormonal acne. Dermatologists may recommend any of the following therapies to get periodic breakouts under control:

• Reduce stress as it triggers the body’s inflammatory response. Inflammation is usually the root of most hormonal acne
• A healthy sleep routine is important as it helps the body restore and ensure hormonal systems are properly functioning
• Use a preventative skincare routine that incorporates retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids to promote skin cell turnover and prevent pores from being clogged with dead skin cells, sebum, and debris.
• Take oral contraceptives that work to balance hormones and decrease androgen levels or prescription medications that mitigate the effect of androgen hormones on the sebaceous gland
• Consider dietary changes. Research has shown that dairy products and refined foods that are high in sugar can cause androgen or insulin levels to spike, resulting in inflammation and excess oil production
• Pay attention to gut health by taking a quality prebiotic or probiotic supplements

When to see your dermatologist

If at-home regimens have failed to produce any measurable improvements or your breakouts are getting worse, it’s time to see a dermatologist who can evaluate your skin and determine the best acne treatment options.

Our doctors will assess numerous factors to formulate a personalized treatment plan, including the severity of your acne, reactions to previous treatments, skin type, and candidacy for prescription medications. Some patients may also benefit from chemical peels and phototherapy to curb hormonal acne.
Ready to discuss hormonal acne treatment options that are tailored just for you? Schedule a Dallas dermatology appointment today.

Acne is typically not something individuals outgrow. In fact, many people are blemish-free during their teenage years, only to develop painful breakouts as adults. Many factors can cause adult acne, and the quickest way to resolve it is by consulting with a skilled adult acne dermatologist.

Dallas Dermatology Partners can prescribe a personalized treatment plan to manage severe adult acne. After a thorough evaluation to determine if your breakouts are caused by fluctuating hormones, stress, medication, or genetic predisposition, we can recommend a therapy tailored to your needs.

Types of Adult Acne

Adult acne tends to affect women more than men and can manifest in any of the following ways:

• Papules and pustules – inflammatory lesions that result in scarring if picked at.
• Blackheads and whiteheads – hair follicles that are clogged with dead skin and oil. Whiteheads are closed comedones while blackheads are open. Comedonal acne usually results from an overproduction of sebum.
• Cystic acne – a severe type of acne characterized by tender pus-filled cysts deep under the skin–also prone to scarring
• Nodules – solid, hard pimples that form under the skin. Nodules can become inflamed and very painful.
• Acne rosacea – red, inflamed bumps are the hallmark of acne rosacea

Any adult acne can negatively affect confidence and self-esteem. It’s best to consult with our dermatologists to determine the most appropriate acne treatment in Dallas.

Adult Acne Treatment Options

Adult acne treatments are designed to address the underlying problem, whether it’s excessive sebum production, inflammation, bacterial infection, or a lack of skin cell turnover. The following are some of the acne treatments offered in our Dallas practice:

• Topicals – Medical grade skincare products containing tretinoin, AHA, Vitamin C, and other potent ingredients can prevent occlusion of pores, minimize inflammation, repair the skin barrier, and support healthy exfoliation
• Prescriptions – Oral antibiotics and prescription medications may be indicated in severe acne cases. These aim to reduce oil gland production while reducing bacterial infection.
• Chemical Peels – A chemical peel for acne exfoliates the outer layer of skin and reduces the appearance of superficial scars. Peels can deliver impressive results in improving skin elasticity, texture, and tone.
• Glycolic Peels – These gentle peels use a mild alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), ideal for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
• Peels for post-inflammatory pigmentation – A custom chemical peel accelerates the skin renewal process and eliminates dark spots caused by acne lesions.
• Diamond Glow Facial – The Diamond Glow microdermabrasion for acne is the gold-star treatment for smoothing texture, improving clarity, and reducing skin congestion. The Diamond Glow device extracts, buffs away dead skin cells, and delivers medical-grade products into the skin.

Adult Acne Dermatologists in Dallas

Improve your complexion, stop breakouts, and prevent scarring from adult acne by booking your Dallas Dermatology appointment today.