Acne


Although acne is a common condition, it can be very troublesome to both teens and adults. Dr. Joel Schlessinger of Skin Specialists has the unique advantage in Omaha of having performed over 30 clinical trials on acne treatments. He is on the forefront of medical discovery regarding treatment for this challenging condition.

When you come to Skin Specialists to see Dr. Schlessinger, you can rest assured that he has the expertise to help improve and treat your condition. Clearing up acne isn't always as simple as using an over-the-counter product or a cream promoted on late-night TV infomercials.
Because Dr. Schlessinger gives individual attention to each person's acne condition, many of his patients finally have a cure for the first time ever after being treated in his clinic. He takes time to respond to your questions (click here for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about acne).

If acne is troubling you, you owe it to yourself to seek Dr. Schlessinger's services and find out what you can do to improve your complexion—once and for all. Put your best face forward!

Dr. Schlessinger and Skin Specialists take your acne or your teenager's acne seriously. They do their best every day to diagnose and improve all worrisome and potentially scarring skin conditions, such as acne.

Here are some of the products available exclusively through Dr. Schlessinger and Skin Specialists.



If you would like to set up an appointment for an evaluation for treatment for this condition, either email us for an appointment or give us a call at 402-334-SKIN (7546) or toll free at 1-800-757-7546.

my acne get worse before it gets better once I am on medication?


Dr. Schlessinger says: Usually, it just gets better, which is great. In some people, however, the acne does come to the surface first, especially if you are using Retin A or something like that. At Skin Specialists, we will usually try to get your acne better without having to go through a worsening first.

Is Accutane safe?


Dr. Schlessinger says: So many people have benefitted from Accutane and would otherwise have suffered with intense scarring. This is a very important question to answer. The answer is that no drug, including Accutane, is completely safe.

Accutane is a very serious drug that we use only after trying just about everything else. If we need to use it, then we may try it because nothing else has worked.

The risks of Accutane are typically dryness, headache, joint pains, and occasionally more serious side effects such as depression, poor mood, and gastrointestinal issues. Many of these side effects aren't fully understood, and they may not occur. Scarring, however, is a definite side effect of severe acne and will come about in nearly 100% of severe acne patients if they don't use medications like Accutane.

Is acne related to milk?


Dr. Schlessinger says: We believe that it is. If you drink a lot of milk and are now experiencing acne, consider slowing down or stopping milk and cheese intake completely!

So if I stop drinking milk because of my acne, how will I get the calcium I need to build my bones?


Dr. Schlessinger says: Most of the calcium you need is easily found in other foods such as fortified soy milk, orange juice, and bread. If you wish, you can take a multivitamin with calcium as well. In general, the benefits of the calcium in milk don't outweigh the problems that the hormones in milk cause.

I do about acne scarring? When is the best time to treat it?



Dr. Schlessinger says: The most important time to get acne under control is as soon as it develops. If scarring has already occurred, it is still important to do what you can to improve the acne first. Then your dermatologist can suggest options, whether they are laser, IPL, or simple procedures such as microdermabrasion. Although many dermatologists and plastic surgeons push the invasive lasers, I personally feel that non-invasive lasers give nearly the same result, if not better— and they have no down time at all! Additionally, I find that a well-placed injection of fillers can make a huge difference as well in certain acne scars.

What other things cause acne?

Dr. Schlessinger says: The biggest cause of acne is hormones. This is especially noted in women, but men have hormonal issues as well. Things that are put on the face, such as cleansers or creams, can also cause acne. But let me stress the importance of washing your face twice daily—that's huge! And Skin Specialists can advise you of the best products to use to cleanse your face.

Does acne occur only in teenage years?


Dr. Schlessinger says: Not at all! Many adults and young adults still have acne. Some of these people are actually infected with various bacteria (that may not be acne at all), which can be confused with acne, but the take-home message is that acne is common in men and women of all ages! Skin Specialists can help you clear things up.