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Houston Acne Treatments

Acne can affect both males and females well into adulthood. Westlake Dermatology is committed to helping our patients live acne free by providing today’s most effective acne treatments.

Westlake Dermatology provides advanced acne treatment options in Houston at our River Oaks and West University locations. Our team of Board Certified Dermatologists are trained to find the root cause of acne for each individual patient before providing a tailored treatment plan to limit current acne, prevent future breakouts, and minimize the appearance of acne scars.

What Is Acne?

Acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the skin. Acne lesions are most common on the face, but they can also occur on the neck, chest, back, shoulders, scalp, and upper arms and legs.

People of any age, gender, race, or ethnicity may develop some degree of acne. While acne is not a life-threatening condition, its severe form can negatively impact the appearance and even cause permanent scarring. In fact, by their mid-teens, more than 40% of adolescents have acne severe enough to require some treatment by a physician. Many of these individuals will continue to struggle with acne breakouts well into adulthood.

Acne Diagnosis

The first step in determining the best treatment option for acne is to understand the type of acne each patient struggles with. Not all acne is the same, there are many specific types of acne, each type having its own characteristics and treatment options.

Acne can be categorized into two distinctive groups: inflammatory acne and non-inflammatory acne. Inflammatory acne manifests as red and painful papules, pustules, cysts, or nodules and is caused by the presence of bacteria in clogged pores. Non-inflammatory acne includes less severe comedones (blackheads and white heads), with cyclical breakouts often attributed to hormones or stress. Acne can also be ranked in terms of severity, ranging from mild, moderate, to severe.

Acne Treatments

Dermatologists use the prevalence of inflammatory acne and the degree of severity to determine proper treatment options for each individual patient. Options may include topical acne-centered skin care products, mild over-the-counter treatments, prescription medication like Accutane, steroid injections, light therapy treatments such as Blu-U, or laser treatments such as Accure, CoolTouch, or VBeam.

About Westlake Dermatology Houston

Westlake Dermatology is a leading provider of medical dermatology in Texas, with 19 locations throughout Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. Our team of board certified dermatologists and knowledgeable staff are committed to helping patients manage their acne by tailoring treatments to suit each individual’s unique needs. Our Houston locations provide a range of acne treatments along with holistic advice on diet and lifestyle changes to address even the most severe forms of acne.

Meet Our Houston Dermatologists

  • Neil Farnsworth, MD: Dr. Neil Farnsworth is a board-certified dermatologist with advanced training in treating acne and acne scarring. Dr. Farnsworth believes in a comprehensive approach to dermatology, with a special emphasis on regular maintenance of the skin’s health, the use of the proper personal care products, and the proper tailoring of acne treatments to each patient’s unique needs.
  • Quynh-Giao (QG) Sartor, MD: Dr. QG Sartor was born into a first-generation Vietnamese-American family and grew up within the Houston inner loop. Dr. Sartor received a Medical Doctorate before completing her internal medicine internship and dermatology residency at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) in Houston. Dr.  Sartor prides herself in helping patients manage their acne through options that fit their lifestyle.

Additional Acne Resources