Many acne patients benefit greatly from prescription medication. Some common oral prescriptions include antibiotics and birth control and can be extremely helpful when treating acne. Â
But these aren’t the only important tools we have to best treat acne.Â
Topical medications, the right skincare regimen, and certain aesthetic treatments can help get you clear quickly and keep your skin clear and acne-free!
Here to share some top recommendations are Dermatologist Dr. Nely Aldrich and Aesthetic Nurse Dana Baker, both from Apex Skin in Hudson, OH.
Skincare
With so much advice out there about what “good skincare” is, we always make a point to let our trained, professional providers break down the methods that are actually beneficial for treating your concerns.
What are the topical medications used to treat acne?
Dr. Nely Aldrich explains,
Topical antibiotics help decrease the bacteria on the skin that causes acne. Clindamycin is the most commonly used one.Â
Retinoid products will usually always be a part of an acne regimen. These products work by increasing cell turnover and unclogging pores. They are also useful in exfoliating the skin to get rid of dark marks left behind by acne.
What is the ideal skincare regimen for an acne patient?
There are three key ingredients to treating acne: Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, and Retinol. Along with gentle products to help patients through any irritation associated with beginning a new acne regimen.Â
Dana says, “Apex Skin has an incredible acne line that has provided amazing results for many of our patients. Apex’s line is medical grade, so the potency and quality of ingredients far surpasses those of your over the counter options.”
Here are some of her favorite products she recommends:
Cleanse: Keeping the skin clean is essential for acne patients. Apex carries both a Salicylic Wash and a Benzoyl Peroxide Wash which are two heavy hitters in the acne world. Â
Tone and Treat: Acne Pads are a great addition, especially for those involved in sports- the perfect cleansing swipe post a sweaty practice. Our Zit Zapper is ideal for spot treating.
Moisturize: Apex’s Lite Moisturizer is the perfect option to keep skin hydrated without ever feeling oily.
Protect: Sunscreen is so important during an acne regimen as some ingredients may cause sun sensitivity. Apex brand carries two amazing 50SPF sunscreens that are non-comedogenic and feel silky soft on the skin.Â
Aesthetic Treatments
Beyond your day-to-day skin care practices, there are other treatments to be used less frequently that can help treat acne.Â
What types of treatments help get rid of acne?
“Peels, peels and more peels for acne!” Dana says.Â
Salicylic Peels are fantastic at shutting down active acne, preventing future acne, controlling oil production and unclogging pores.
Perfect Derma Peels work wonders for active acne as they contain Salicylic Acid. They also help with discoloration and scarring post acne.
In addition to peels she also recommends:
Microneedling: This is a procedure that uses tiny needles to form micro-wounds. Paired with a growth factor serum it promotes new collagen growth. This smooths the skin and is therefore is also a great option for textural scarring post active acne.Â
Diamond Glow: Treatments like this are a great addition to an acne regimen as they provide a deep clean for the skin while extracting, exfoliating and infusing a low potency Salicylic serum.Â
How do I know which products and treatments will be best for me?
Let the experts guide you! At Apex, a dermatologist like Dr. Nely Aldrich will lead your overall treatment plan and will likely recommend you also see an Aesthetic Nurse like Dana Baker.
Dr. Aldrich advises, “It’s important for acne patients to start their treatment plan with a trusted dermatologist. We often see patients try to treat acne on their own, and unfortunately, they often waste time and money on the wrong products, or on ineffective at-home treatments. If the goal is to clear your skin as quickly as possible, you need an expert to help guide you.”
Dana adds, “Start with a consultation. Appointments with the aesthetic nurses at Apex are always complimentary and it gives the opportunity to have all your questions answered while you work directly with us to develop the perfect plan for your needs.”
Often, we can work with your schedule so that you can see your dermatologist and your aesthetic nurse on the same day, and you’ll leave with the full treatment plan you need to get your skin clear!
Dr. Aldrich graduated from Kent State University with an undergraduate degree in Integrated Life Sciences. She then attended medical school in Northeastern Ohio Medical University in Rootstown, Ohio where she was inducted into the medical honor society Alpha Omega Alpha.
During medical school, Dr. Aldrich developed an interest in dermatology and was accepted into University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center for residency. She published research on rosacea twin studies during her residency. Dr. Aldrich served as Chief Resident in the last year of training and worked as a dermatologist in Westlake for two years after graduating residency.
Dr. Aldrich specializes in general dermatology. She sees various conditions including acne, rosacea, skin cancer, eczema, psoriasis, and many others. Dr. Aldrich is Board Certified by the American Board of Dermatology.
Dana Baker, ASN, RN is an Aesthetic Nurse practicing in both our Hudson and Medina offices. Once becoming a nurse in 2012, Dana fell in love with the aesthetic and cosmetic side of the profession.
After discovering her passion, she pursued several certifications and trainings to advance her career in medical aesthetics including: CoolSculpting, dermal fillers, injectables, chemical peels, microneedling, Diamond Glow, dermaplaning, CryoClear and more. She plans to continue to grow her offerings throughout her career.
Dana is extremely well-versed in medical grade skin care, focusing on Apex Skin’s own product line. She is also a ZO Skin Health Specialist and heavily educated on SkinMedica products. Anti-aging, acne, and discoloration skincare regimens are her specialty.
