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Know the facts; get help at the East Bay acne clinic

Textbooks call it “acne vulgaris,” those whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, pimples, papules, nodules, and cysts that plague humans during times of stress or hormonal upheaval. However, when acne is on your face or body, defeating your self-esteem, you probably call it “dreadful.”

Acne lesions occur when follicles become clogged with sebum (oil production from sebaceous glands), perspiration, dead skin cells, and environmental debris. As a clogged pore traps bacteria, it becomes inflamed, infected, and filled with pus. Pimples can occur just about anywhere on the body except for palms of hands and soles of feet (where there are no sebaceous glands), but are most common on the face, chest, and back. Picking and squeezing or aggressive scrubbing only aggravates the infection and may leave scars.

Those periods in your life when hormones fluctuate often trigger acne breakouts. That means teen years (for both young men and women), menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause are troublesome times for skin. However, any stress-filled time in your life – a job change, financial problems, an upcoming wedding, a divorce, or a death in the family – can bring on embarrassing breakouts, adding to your mental discomfort. Untreated, acne leaves permanent physical and emotional marks.

Having acne doesn’t mean you aren’t clean. It is a common medical condition that is best treated under the care of a dermatologist. Dr. M. Christine Lee and the team at The Skin and Laser Treatment Institute design a customized acne management plan based on the severity of your condition, your skin type, and your lifestyle.

Management begins with the right skin care products – non-comedogenic cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. Dr. Lee will provide advice on the best ones for your skin, and instruction on proper cleansing techniques.

Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid preparations are usually the mildest medications capable of controlling breakouts. If products that are more potent are required, the doctor may progress to a prescription oral or topical retinoid, an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, or hormone-balancing supplement.

Dr. Lee brings advanced technology such as laser resurfacing and photodynamic therapy to gentle acne care. In addition, she is skilled and experienced in micro-dermabrasion, chemical peels, and scar revision to refine the condition of your skin once the acne is under control.

You don’t have to suffer the anguish of acne or compromise the lifelong beauty of your skin. See The Skin and Laser Treatment Institute for answers to your acne breakouts.

Get help at the acne clinic
Dr. Christine Lee

Dr. Min-Wei Christine Lee

Dr. Christine Lee is a Board-certified Dermatologist with sub-specialties in laser surgery, cosmetic surgery, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, facial plastic reconstruction, and dermatologic surgery. She leads The Skin And Laser Treatment Institute as its Director and serves as Clinical Faculty for the Department of Dermatologic Surgery at the University of California San Francisco. Patients travel from across the globe for her expertise, and Dr. Lee has trained thousands of stateside and international doctors.

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