Acne & Rosacea

Acne

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions out there — and it doesn't just affect teenagers. Adults deal with breakouts too, often triggered by hormones, genetics, or diet. If you've tried over-the-counter products without much luck, our providers can prescribe treatments that are a step up from what you'll find at the drugstore.

Acne develops when hair follicles become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria — leading to inflammation, redness, and the bumps and lesions most people recognize. It can show up on the face, chest, back, and shoulders, and it comes in several different forms:

Whiteheads — Closed clogged pores just beneath the skin's surface

Blackheads — Open clogged pores that oxidize and turn dark (not caused by dirt, despite the name)

Papules — Small, raised red bumps from inflamed follicles

Pustules — The classic "pimple" — a papule filled with pus

Nodules — Large, solid, painful lumps deep in the skin

Cysts — The most severe type — deep, painful, pus-filled lesions most likely to cause scarring

Hormonal acne — Driven by hormone fluctuations, typically showing up along the jawline and chin, and especially common in adult women

Fungal acne — A yeast overgrowth in the follicles that mimics acne but doesn't respond to traditional treatments — which is exactly why getting the right diagnosis matters

Our goal is to clear what's there, prevent new breakouts, and protect your skin from scarring. Every patient is different, and your provider will sit down with you to figure out what's actually driving your acne before recommending a plan. That plan may include one or more of the following:

Topical Medications

Prescription retinoids (Tazarotene, Tretinoin, Tretinoin + benzoyl peroxide, Trifarotene)

Over-the-counter retinoids (Adapalene)

Antibiotics

Salicylic acid

For tips on how to get the most out of your topical acne medication, check out the video below from the American Academy of Dermatology.

Oral Medications

Moderate to severe acne sometimes needs a stronger approach:

Antibiotics (Doxycycline, Minocycline, Sarecycline)

FDA-approved birth control pills

Spironolactone

Isotretinoin

In-Office Procedures

Steroid injections

Chemical peels

Laser and light treatments

Acne Scarring

Active breakouts are frustrating enough — but for many patients, acne leaves something behind even after it clears. Acne scars form when the skin is damaged during a breakout and produces either too little or too much collagen as it heals. Not everyone will develop scars, but certain factors make it more likely, including a family history of acne scarring, inflammatory types of acne like cysts or nodules, delayed treatment, and picking or popping blemishes.

The good news is that effective treatment is available. Our providers will evaluate your skin and work with you to find the right approach to smooth and even your skin tone — and help prevent future scarring from forming.

Types of Acne Scars

Acne scars aren't all the same, and identifying the type matters when it comes to treatment:

Atrophic scars — The most common type, these form a depression in the skin due to damaged collagen and tethered scar tissue

Boxcar scars — U-shaped depressed scars with sharp, defined edges

Ice pick scars — Narrow, deep V-shaped scars that extend into the skin

Rolling scars — Wide depressions with soft, rounded, irregular edges

Hypertrophic or keloid scars — Raised, often pink or hyperpigmented scars caused by excess collagen production

Dark spots — Flat red, purple, or brown marks left at the site of a healed acne lesion

Acne and rosacea have more in common than most people realize. Both can cause redness, breakouts, and skin sensitivity — and they're frequently confused for one another. The key difference is what's driving them. While acne is rooted in clogged pores and bacteria, rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition that requires a completely different approach to treatment. Getting that distinction right is exactly why seeing a dermatologist matters.

Rosacea

Rosacea causes persistent redness and flushing, most commonly across the nose and cheeks. Many patients also notice small acne-like bumps and changes in skin texture — which is part of why it's so often mistaken for acne in the first place. Skin tends to be sensitive and easily irritated, and flare-ups are common, often brought on by triggers like alcohol, spicy foods, cold weather, stress, or prolonged mask-wearing. Rosacea is most commonly seen in middle-aged women, but it can affect anyone regardless of gender or skin tone.

How We Treat Rosacea

Rosacea looks different on every patient, and so does the treatment. Laser treatments are highly effective at reducing background redness, and a wide range of medical options are available as well. Your provider will take the time to talk through your triggers, your skin history, and your goals — and build a personalized plan including a skincare regimen tailored specifically to sensitive, redness-prone skin. We know how much rosacea can affect your confidence, and we're here to help.

Acne & Rosacea Mimickers

Several common skin conditions look almost identical to acne or rosacea — but require completely different treatment. Getting the right diagnosis from the start is everything.

Folliculitis Folliculitis is the inflammation of hair follicles caused by a bacterial or fungal infection. It produces small red bumps or pustules that look a lot like acne and can appear on the scalp, face, back, and thighs. People who struggle with acne are actually more prone to folliculitis too, which makes it even easier to confuse the two. Shaving and certain topical products can trigger or worsen it. Treatment is very different from acne — which is exactly why getting the right diagnosis matters from the start.

Fungal Acne (Pityrosporum Folliculitis) Despite the name, fungal acne isn't acne at all. It's caused by an overgrowth of yeast in the hair follicles and produces small, uniform bumps that are often itchy — something typical acne rarely is. Standard acne treatments won't touch it, and in some cases can actually feed the yeast and make it worse. Antifungal treatments are the answer here.

Perioral Dermatitis This condition causes small red bumps and redness around the mouth, nose, and sometimes eyes. It's frequently mistaken for acne or rosacea and is often triggered or worsened by topical steroid use, heavy moisturizers, or fluorinated toothpaste. It requires its own specific treatment protocol.

Milia Milia are small white cysts that form when dead skin cells become trapped beneath the surface. They look like whiteheads but are completely different — they have no opening and won't respond to acne treatments. They're common around the eyes and cheeks and are easily removed in office.

Keratosis Pilaris Often called "chicken skin," keratosis pilaris causes small rough bumps — usually on the upper arms, thighs, and cheeks — caused by a buildup of keratin blocking hair follicles. It's harmless but can be frustrating, especially when it shows up on the face. It's genetic and has no cure, but the texture and appearance can be significantly improved with the right skincare routine.

Contact Dermatitis Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction caused by direct contact with an irritant or allergen — think a new skincare product, laundry detergent, or jewelry. It can produce red, bumpy, inflamed skin that mimics acne, but it's localized to wherever the irritant touched the skin and clears up once the trigger is removed.

Not sure what you're dealing with? That's exactly what we're here for. Our providers will take the time to evaluate your skin carefully, get the right diagnosis, and build a plan that actually works. Book an appointment and let us take a look.