Acne Treatment in Ann Arbor, Plymouth & Wixom: Medical and Laser Options
Acne can be more than a temporary skin concern— it can be a persistent, challenging condition affecting people of all ages. If over-the-counter treatments haven’t provided relief, Ganger Dermatology offers advanced, personalized solutions designed to help you achieve clearer, healthier skin. Discover renewed hope with our expert care and innovative treatments at our Ann Arbor, Plymouth, and Wixom offices.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting up to 50 million Americans annually. It is also very treatable, and we match treatment to the kind of acne you have.
The four kinds of acne, and why the difference matters
The AAD reports that approximately 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 experience at least minor acne, and while it usually begins in puberty, it can continue into a person’s 30s and 40s. We group them by what they respond to:
Comedonal acne
Blackheads and whiteheads, with little redness. A clogging problem more than an inflammation problem, and the type most likely to respond to topical treatment alone.
Inflammatory acne
Red papules and pustules. Sore, visible, and the type most people mean when they say they have acne.
Nodular and cystic acne
Deep, firm, painful lesions under the surface that can last for weeks. This is the type that carries the highest risk of scarring, and the type least likely to respond to anything bought over the counter.
Hormonal acne
Typically along the jawline, chin, and lower face, often flaring on a cycle. It can appear for the first time in adulthood in people who had clear skin as teenagers.
Most people have more than one type at once, which is why a single product rarely resolves it and why we usually layer treatment.
When acne stops being a drugstore problem
Over-the-counter treatment is a reasonable first attempt, and we see it work for plenty of people. The AAD’s guidance is that a treatment that is working should show some improvement in 4 to 6 weeks, and that clearing can take two to three months or longer. If that window has passed without real change, it is time to see us.
Signs it is time to come in
- Consistent use for that long with no meaningful change
- Deep, painful lesions, not surface bumps
- Any acne that is leaving marks or scars behind
- Acne that started or worsened in adulthood
- Acne on the back, chest, or shoulders as well as the face
- It is affecting how you feel about being seen
Severe acne and isotretinoin
For severe acne — deep, painful cysts and nodules, acne that is scarring, or acne that has not cleared with other treatment — isotretinoin, the medication many people still call Accutane, is often the treatment we recommend, and the one that changes the picture. The original brand is no longer sold; isotretinoin itself is widely prescribed under other names.
What it is
A prescription capsule for severe acne, taken daily over a course that usually lasts about four to five months.
Why it is closely monitored
Our dermatologists and physician assistants prescribe and monitor isotretinoin, and enroll you in iPLEDGE, a risk-management program run by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It exists chiefly to prevent pregnancy during treatment, and it means regular check-ins for the whole course.
Who decides
You and your dermatologist or physician assistant, together, after going through the benefits and the side effects for you specifically.
Isotretinoin is not the first step for most acne, but if it may be right for you, ask us about it early, not after years of partial results.
Does acne scar?
It can, and that is the best argument for treating acne early. The deeper and more inflamed the lesion, and the longer it stays inflamed, the more likely it is to leave something behind. Nodules and cysts carry the highest risk; picking and squeezing raises it further for any type.
Two different things get called scarring.
- Post-inflammatory marks — the flat red, brown, or gray discoloration left where a spot healed. The skin’s texture is normal. These fade on their own, slowly, and faster with sun protection.
- True scars — a change in the surface itself, either pitted or raised. These do not fade on their own, and they are the reason to treat active acne before it gets there.
We treat true scars separately from active acne, and usually after it, with microneedling and ProFractional laser as a course of sessions. Acne scars can often be reduced or softened, and results build gradually.
Our Multimodal Acne Approach
Acne is a complex skin condition, and as those who suffer from it know, a single solution may not be enough. Persistent acne may require a more comprehensive approach, involving several effective therapies to achieve clearer skin and reduce outbreaks. We work with you to create a tailored treatment plan that may include prescription medications, HydraFacials, ProFractional® lasers, and Kenalog injections, all aimed at managing the intensity and frequency of breakouts. New laser technology also allows us to address scarring caused by acne over the years. Your plan may include:
Tretinoin, clindamycin, dapsone, azelaic acid, and clascoterone (Winlevi), for clogged pores and inflammation; often the base layer of any plan.
Doxycycline or minocycline for inflammatory acne, used for a limited period alongside topical treatment.
Spironolactone, for women whose acne flares with hormones.
For severe acne, prescribed and monitored by our dermatologists and physician assistants.
See below, and more about cyst injections.
Forever Clear BBL is a broadband light treatment that uses blue light to target acne-causing bacteria within the pores, then yellow light to reduce inflammation and redness.
HydraFacials for congestion and comedonal acne.
ProFractional laser and microneedling for acne scars, once active acne is under control.
Including Ganger × True Regimen products matched to your skin.
Individual results vary, and we usually adjust acne treatment over several visits.
Cystic acne and cortisone injections
Cystic acne is more painful than your average whiteheads or blackheads, and the cysts carry an increased risk of scarring. A cortisone injection is the fastest option for an individual painful cyst: left alone, a cyst may take weeks to subside, while an injection can bring down its size and discomfort within days. We place the injection into the cyst itself, and a topical numbing agent may be applied to limit discomfort.
It is a targeted treatment for a specific lesion, not a treatment for the underlying acne. If you get cysts repeatedly, we will plan for the acne as well as for the cyst that hurts today.
Benefits of Acne Treatments
- Fewer outbreaks
- Reduced scarring
- Improved skin texture
- More even skin tone
- Improved confidence
- Non & minimally invasive
Acne, or something that looks like acne?
We often see conditions that were treated as acne for months before anyone questioned the diagnosis.
Acne
Blackheads and whiteheads present alongside the inflamed spots; lesions vary in size and type
Rosacea
Redness and flushing across the central face with pimple-like bumps, but no blackheads or whiteheads; often triggered by heat, alcohol, or spicy food
Folliculitis
Bumps sit directly on hair follicles and look fairly uniform; often follows shaving, sweating, or occlusion
Keratosis pilaris
Rough, sandpapery, skin-colored bumps on the upper arms and thighs; persistent, not flaring
The absence of blackheads and whiteheads is the most useful single clue that what you are treating is not acne.
Acne Treatment FAQs
Your skin and hair are protected by an oily substance called sebum. For some people, an overproduction of sebum contributes to oily skin, and the problem starts when sebum mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria to clog pores, causing blackheads and painful breakouts. Clogged hair follicles and the inflammation that follows make acne more severe and scarring more likely. Hormonal changes and stress have also been linked to acne, which is part of why it can be stubborn to treat. Thankfully, you have options at Ganger Dermatology, and we can help you find the right one.
Nearly everyone has encountered whiteheads and blackheads at some point in their lives. But there are other blemishes caused by acne that can be even more painful or cause more significant scarring. Papules, pustules, nodules, cysts, and other blemishes may also result from excess sebum and bacteria on your skin. We treat all of them, and the type you have shapes the plan we build with you.
We use Forever Clear BBL, a broadband light treatment. It uses blue light to target acne-causing bacteria within the pores, then yellow light to reduce inflammation and redness. It is typically done as a series of sessions and works alongside a medical plan for the acne itself.
Yes. Acne often continues well past the teenage years, and some people get it for the first time as adults, typically along the jawline and chin. Adult acne usually responds to the same layered approach we use for any acne, and for women whose breakouts follow a hormonal pattern we may add hormonal therapy such as spironolactone. If your acne started or got worse in adulthood, book a visit and we will work out what is driving it.
All three. We see patients for acne at our Ann Arbor, Plymouth and Wixom offices, and prescription treatment starts with a medical visit at the one most convenient for you. ProFractional laser, one of the treatments we use for acne scars, is done at our Ann Arbor office, so mention it when you book if you are interested.
Schedule Your Acne Appointment Today!
Frustration is a common feeling when dealing with chronic acne, but it does not have to define your journey. Acne is a widespread issue, and there are many effective, emerging treatment options available. Even if past treatments have fallen short, Ganger Dermatology offers solutions that can make a real difference. Take the first step today and let our expert team help you achieve clearer, healthier skin!
Come see us if:
- Over-the-counter treatment has not helped after several weeks of consistent use
- You are getting deep, painful lumps, not surface spots
- Your acne is leaving marks or scars
- You are not certain it is acne at all
- You want to know whether isotretinoin is right for you
We see patients at our Ann Arbor, Plymouth, and Wixom offices, or call us at (734) 344-4567.
