What to Do About Treatment-Resistant Acne

Acne affects 1 in 5 Americans under the age of 18. Some individuals experience mild blackheads and whiteheads on their nose or forehead, while others suffer from severe acne outbreaks that affect their face, chest, shoulders, and back.

At Leading Edge Dermatology, with locations in Plantation and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, double-board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elyse Julian and our team offer pediatric dermatology services to help preteens and teens with acne, as well as acne treatment options for adults. 

Acne basics

Acne typically starts with an overactive sebaceous gland inside a hair follicle. The pore gets blocked, C acne (a common bacterium found on the skin) starts to multiply, and inflammation spreads. 

The result is a nodule that swells until it bursts or is popped, which allows more bacteria to take root in what is now an open wound. Picking at, squeezing, or scratching at acne can make it rapidly worse and spread the condition.

Hormones can play a role in acne, which is why teenagers and pregnant women are usually the most vulnerable. For girls and women, oral contraceptives can help reduce acne outbreaks and severity.

Treating acne

A careful skin regimen that alternately cleans and moisturizes the skin is often enough to keep acne under control. Stubborn or widespread cases and severe infections may require topical or oral antibiotics. Acne usually comes and goes, but almost constant outbreaks are viewed as chronic acne.

Repeated acne breakouts and cases of infection can mean that antibiotics and other medications and skin-care processes no longer work as well as they once did. At this point, acne is called treatment-resistant. 

Chronic and treatment-resistant acne is frequently more responsive to topical retinoids than to antibiotics. One of the most effective retinoids is isotretinoin, sold under a variety of brand names the most recognizable of which is Accutane®. 

When to contact a dermatologist

If your child has acne, start by following up on their skin care. If acne is still an issue after daily washing with gentle soap and moisturizing, they may need more advanced treatments. Their pediatrician may recommend antibiotics for infected cases.

If rounds of different topical and oral antibiotics help acne recede only for it to come roaring back, it’s definitely time to see a dermatologist. We can help assess your child’s treatment-resistant acne, and recommend a tailored approach that takes into account their age, gender, treatment history, and more.

To learn more about acne treatments for your child or yourself, schedule a consultation with the team at Leading Edge Dermatology. Visit our contact page to learn more about locations near you, or request an appointment online.