Acne Specialist

Elk Grove Dermatology

Medical, Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology Practice located in Elk Grove Village, IL

You don’t have to live with the unsightly and irritating blemishes that come with acne. Elk Grove Dermatology has effective solutions for acne. Working with his skilled staff at Elk Grove Dermatology in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, Dr. Polisky provides a wide range of skin care services to address all forms of acne, no matter how severe. For treatments to eliminate your acne, schedule a consultation at Elk Grove Dermatology online or by phone.

847-593-6222

Acne Q & A

What is acne?

Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when your skin’s oil glands and pores become blocked. This leads to blemishes that are unsightly and sometimes even painful.

The symptoms of acne typically include:

Cysts
Nodules and pustules
Redness and swelling
Whiteheads and blackheads

Acne is most common among teenagers; however, adults can have it too. It usually occurs on your face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders. While acne isn’t a harmful condition, it can cause cosmetic issues and significantly impact your self-esteem.

What causes acne?

Acne develops when your skin’s pores — also known as hair follicles — become clogged. This can be due to bacteria buildup, the shedding of dead skin cells, or because of an overproduction of oil.

If these substances build up within your hair follicles, they create a plug that causes the wall of the follicle to bulge. When this bulge protrudes from your skin, a blemish occurs.

Several factors can lead to acne, including:

Stress
Heredity
High humidity
Hormone changes
Certain medications
High-carbohydrate foods
Greasy or oily skin care products

When left untreated, severe acne can lead to scarring. To reduce your risk of breakouts, Dr. Polisky provides skin care tips like using gentle cleansers, avoiding greasy or oily products, and reducing sun exposure.

How is acne treated?

Dr. Polisky offers several acne treatments designed to either reduce oil production and inflammation or prevent new blemishes from developing by encouraging skin cell production. These therapies might include topical or oral medications and can take up to eight weeks to show results.

Topical Medications

Topical medications are applied directly to your acne. In addition to over-the-counter creams and ointments, Dr. Polisky might prescribe medications that contain higher levels of acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or lactic, salicylic, retinoic, and azelaic acids.

Oral Medications

For acne that’s moderate to severe, Dr. Polisky may suggest oral medications like antibiotics or contraceptives for women that include acne-fighting hormones.

In addition to acne treatments, Dr. Polisky also treats acne scars. These safe and effective therapies typically include both dermabrasion and microdermabrasion, laser treatments, and dermal fillers.

To control your acne and reduce your risk of scarring, schedule an appointment at Elk Grove Dermatology online or over the phone.