The Approach To Acne – Causes & How To Treat
Dr. Peirson’s Guide to Understanding and Treating Acne
Acne is a complex condition influenced by various factors, and achieving clear skin often requires a targeted, multi-faceted approach. In this guide, Dr. Peirson outlines the primary causes of acne—excess oil production, bacterial overgrowth, inflammation, and disordered keratinization—while offering her expert recommendations for treatment. From prescription solutions to pharmaceutical-grade skincare, blue light therapy, and specialty products, this comprehensive approach addresses the root causes of acne to promote healthy, clear skin. Whether you’re struggling with facial acne or body breakouts, these tips provide actionable steps to help you regain control and confidence.
1) Cause #1: Excess Oil Production
This is hormonally driven and will require a consultation with an NP or physician. Only prescription products will change this. It isn’t always necessarily to reduce oil production if you can manage bacterial levels.
2) Cause #2: High Bacteria Levels
Wash with an effective antibacterial cleanser like hexamidine; hexamidine is not available over the counter but it can be purchased in pharmaceutical skin care without a prescription (eg. Hexam cleanser – Vivier Canada)
Consider Blue Light Therapy; repeated exposure to a certain wavelength of blue light can kill Propioni Acnes bacteria.
3) Cause #3: Inflammation
Reduce bacterial counts as this will reduce your inflammatory response. (see #2 above)
Use clean science pharmaceutical level skin care (eg. VivierSkin or AlumierMD products); you want to avoid dyes, perfumes, preservatives like parabens etc, which can trigger a hormonal and inflammatory response.
Use benzoyl peroxide to treat inflamed acne lesions – it is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory; ideally use micronized BPO because it more deeply penetrates into acne lesions (eg. Vivier Acne Treatment Lotion).
Oral-cycline antibiotics such as Apprilon treat inflammation and are safe for long term use; this requires a prescription from an NP or Physician.
4) Cause #4: Disordered Keratinization and Desquamation
Topical acid preparations are helpful such as alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxyacids; using a wash that contains salicylic acid (eg. Vivier Medicated Wash) helps break down thickened keratin layer found in acne sufferers; moisturizers that contain acids as Alumier Hydrasmooth or Vivier Exfoliant Forte or Vivier AHA/BHA.
Chemical peels and at-home peels or masks (eg. Vivier Ultra Purifying Clay Mask)
Avoid products that are comedogenic ie they block pores (especially makeup)
Use of retinols – pharmaceutical grade 0.25% if sensitive such as Alastin retinol 0.25%; if more tolerant use a stronger retinol such as Vivier Retinol 1% night complex.
Prescription retinol – see an NP or physician (consult at ArtMed)
Oral retinol – Accutane – see an NP or physician (consult at ArtMed)
Recommended Specialty Products:
Vitamin C serum – if you are using a Vitamin serum consider Radiance serum by Vivier which is very good for oil or combination skin
Body cleansing - (back/chest acne) – salicylic acid soap for body cleansing (available at ArtMed) and Aklief prescription; consider oral medication like Apprilon or Accutane if severe
