Possible Complications of Acne

Whether you’re a teen who just got your first pimple or you’re an adult who can’t believe you’re still dealing with breakouts, acne is unwelcome. You want to get clear skin as quickly as possible. 

The problem? Some of the efforts people take to try to eradicate their acne can actually lead to worsen acne complications. 

At Hanami Medspa, in Fort Worth, Texas, Elaine Phuah, DO, MBA, FACOI, and our team of aesthetic experts are committed to helping people get healthy, clear skin. Alongside our acne treatment, we also want to make sure you’re aware of acne complications and what you can do to avoid them.

If you have acne, we’d love to set up a skincare consultation to talk about your treatment options. But in the meantime, here are the top four acne complications to watch for. 

#1: Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

After your acne heals, you might notice the skin in the area changed color. That’s a normal side effect that results after the inflammation the acne caused is gone. The resulting hyperpigmentation (excess deposits of melanin in the area) might look brown, pink, purple, or another color. All you care about, though, is that it looks like a blemish on your skin.

Fortunately, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation usually fades over time. To help it fade quicker, use sunscreen to prevent further darkening and talk to our team about treatment options. 

#2: Scarring

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation changes the color of your skin, but it’s not a true scar. You’ll know you have an acne scar when you can feel it when you run a finger over the area. 

Dr. Phuah offers treatments to reduce the visibility of your scars and the uneven skin texture they produce. To avoid them in the first place, though, it’s important that you don’t pick at your acne. 

That leads us to the next possible acne complication. 

#3: Excoriated acne

Excoriated acne is a specific type of acne that develops when you pick and squeeze at the acne on your skin. If you feel a nearly uncontrollable urge to “deal with” any pimples — or even the smallest blackhead — you’re probably leaving yourself with excoriated acne.

You can take two steps to treat it. First, hands off! Set a goal to stop touching your face at all for one week. You may be surprised how much your skin improves with just seven days of no contact.

Second, schedule a consultation with Dr. Phuah. She can talk with you about things you can do to address your acne without worsening it. 

#4: Self-esteem challenges

Often, acne doesn’t just affect an individual’s skin. It also impacts how they feel about themselves. It’s common to feel unattractive and insecure when dealing with acne.

For starters, it can help to know that you’re not alone. So many people struggle with acne and it doesn’t make you any less beautiful. 

Also, you’re not stuck in a cycle of trying drugstore products, awaiting results, then waking up to another breakout. Dr. Phuah works with you to develop an acne treatment plan that brings you results. 

If you’re living with acne, don’t hesitate to schedule a skincare consultation with Dr. Phuah and our team. As acne treatment experts, we can help you get clearer skin and avoid all of these complications. To learn more, call Hanami Medspa or make an appointment with our team online today.