Acne Treatments NYC

During the course of one's lifetime, 85% of people in the United States will have acne. So it's a very common condition and one that Dr. Jaliman sees daily in her office.

Some people get acne lesions in their teens. Others get adult acne, so it can occur from age 20 to age 50.

Normally, acne is on the face. But it can be seen in multiple locations on the body: the neck, on the chest and on the back.

It is caused by an overproduction of oil (sebum) by sebaceous glands, a blockage of pores by dead skin cells. It is also caused by too many bacteria, which are called p.acnes bacteria (propionibacterium acne).

If you have mild acne (a few pimples) and over-the-counter products are working for you, then you may not need to see a dermatologist.

If you have acne cysts or large nodules on your skin, you definitely need to see a dermatologist. If you have acne that is scarring, you should see a dermatologist immediately. Or if you have acne that you are not able to control with over-the-counter medications, it would be a good idea to seek a dermatologist's help with a customized treatment plan.

When choosing a dermatologist for acne, you want to choose a doctor who is a specialist in acne. 50 percent of the medical patients that Dr Jaliman treats are for acne. She is considered one of the best acne dermatologists in NYC because she has years of experience dealing with every type of acne, from cystic acne with scarring to mild acne in patients who have acne-prone ultra sensitive skin.

Oftentimes, acne can be treated with prescription topical medications. These include medications that kill the bacteria on the skin, which are called topical antibiotics. There are also products that decrease the oil on the skin and help the dead skin cells to slough off the surface. These medications are called retinoids. Then there is a category of medication called dapsone, which is an anti-inflammatory medication. There is a new medication which is a topical hormone blocker. This is the newest advance in acne treatment (Winlevi).

It is very important that you have the correct cleansing regimen when dealing with acne. This includes the proper choice of a cleanser and toner. An individualized skincare regimen will be devised especially for you.

Dr. Jaliman will go over all the products that you use on your face. Including but not limited to your sunscreen, primer, makeup, moisturizer, serum, micellar water, anti-aging products and any other wrinkle cream you may be using. Oily hair products can also block oil glands on the forehead and cause the development of pustules, bumps and pimples along the hairline. You can have the best skin care regimen, but if one of the products you use contains oil it will block your pores, you will still break out. She will give you advice and detailed information on the way to cleanse your skin and how to take care of it.

Noncomedogenic means that it will not block your pores. It is very important that all of the products you choose for your acne-prone skin fall into this category.

These ingredients include many oils, like avocado oil, apricot oil, mineral oil, almond oil, coconut oil, beeswax and silicone. Another ingredient that exacerbates acne is shea butter.This is found in a lot of skin care products.

Hyaluronic acid is a good hydrating ingredient for acne-prone patients. It adds moisture to the skin without clogging the pores. You can find it in a wide variety of products, including serums, creams and cleansers.

There is a new prescription topical 4% Minocycline foam called Amzeeq. It is very safe and effective.

There are low-dose-time released antibiotics that can be taken orally that are effective. There are also acne antibiotics that specifically target just acne, such as Sarecycline, which isn't used to treat anything else. If the acne is very severe, then Accutane (Isotretinoin) can be used. This is prescription medication that is taken twice daily by mouth for 20 weeks. It is usually used to treat severe cystic acne. It is very effective but does have side effects that Dr Jaliman will discuss with you. It is an excellent treatment if the severity of your condition warrants it. Many patients see improvement after 2-3 months of treatment.

Women can be treated with birth control pills or spironolactone, which is a hormone blocker pill.

It is important to tell your dermatologist if you are taking birth control pills. Some birth control pills make acne worse and some make it better. There are some birth control pills that have FDA approval to improve acne. These include Estrostep, Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Yaz.

Medical facials can be used to clean out the pores of acne. This is called extraction. It is used for whiteheads and blackheads. Injections of hydrocortisone can be used for the cysts.

Light peels containing salicylic acid can be very helpful for acne as the acid helps unclog pores. This is good to exfoliate the dead surface skin cells. It is also also helpful for dark spots which can remain from acne. The Skinmedica Illuminize peel is a safe and effective peel that we use in our office for acne-prone skin.

Microdermabrasion can be helpful for hyperpigmentation as well as for de-bumping the skin.

Blue light and red light treatments are very effective for acne. They help to destroy the p. acnes bacteria and also help to decrease the inflammation in the skin. It usually takes approximately 4-6 treatments.

The Genesis laser is very helpful in reducing redness and improving texture. This laser stimulates collagen production in the outer layers of the skin. It can be used for redness as well as for acne scar treatment. It has no downtime. Everyone can be treated, even individuals with darker skin color. A series of 4-6 laser treatments is usually necessary. These are done two weeks apart. This is a very effective laser technology. It should only be done by someone with expertise in these techniques.

It is better to treat your acne earlier to prevent scarring and other permanent damage to the deeper layers of the skin.

Some studies show that dairy products should be limited, especially cow's milk containing hormones. High glycemic foods like cookies, cake and candy should be avoided.

The laser is not approved for use during pregnancy. There are some topical preparations as well as some prescription topical medications that can safely be used during pregnancy. It is essential to have a good skincare routine to follow and to use a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen with a high concentration of zinc oxide. It is also important to avoid the midday sun. Topical Vitamin C can also be used to help minimize brown discoloration which can occur from the inflammation of acne.

Call board certified dermatologist Dr Debra Jaliman to schedule an appointment. Our phone number is . We participate with many insurance companies. Your office visits and prescriptions may be totally or partially covered depending upon your plan. Microdermabrasion, peels, and lasers will not be covered.