25+
Years Experience Treating Acne
6,000+
Acne Patients Successfully Treated
Personalized
Treatment Plans for Every Patient
Trusted
for Hormonal & Adult Acne Treatment
The Real Struggle Behind Persistent Acne
Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting between 40 and 50 million people at any given time.
Acne is not just a physical condition, it can impact confidence, self-image, and overall quality of life.
Many patients struggle with recurring acne despite trying multiple over-the-counter products, often because the root cause is not being addressed.
Without proper treatment, acne can progress in severity, making it more difficult to manage and increasing the risk of long-term skin damage.
Patient Results
Real Skin Transformations, Real Confidence Restored
Why Professional Treatment Matters?
Acne is not one condition, it varies in type, severity, and cause. Incorrect treatment can delay results or worsen breakouts. Each type of acne requires a different, targeted approach. Professional diagnosis helps identify the root cause. Early treatment prevents worsening and reduces risk of scarring. Patients dealing with acne in and around Houston should know the severity of their condition, which determines the possible treatment. Dr. Ellen Turner and her team will make a diagnosis and suggest the next steps.
| Characteristics | Typical Treatment | |
|---|---|---|
| Acne | Common acne | Treated by over-the-counter medication or a dermatologist |
| Comedones | Hair follicle clogged with oil and dead skin cells (blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules) | Treated by a dermatologist |
| Mild Acne | Roughly fewer than 30 total lesions (whiteheads, blackheads, inflamed bumps) | Treated by over-the-counter topical medicine or a dermatologist |
| Moderate Acne | Roughly 30 to 125 total lesions | Treated by a dermatologist. May require prescription medication. |
| Severe Nodulocystic Acne | Multiple inflamed cysts and nodules. | Prompt treatment by a dermatologist (may require corticosteroid injections) to minimize scarring |
| Acne Conglobata | Most severe forms of acne involving many inflamed interconnected nodules | Prompt treatment by a dermatologist is important to reduce scarring |
| Acne Mechanica | Caused by heat, friction, and pressure | Wearing absorbent material |
Expert Care
Why Choose The Dermatology Office?
Dr. Ellen Turner is committed to providing exceptional, patient-centered care. She understands that acne affects not only the skin but also emotional well-being, and she takes the time to truly listen to each patient’s concerns.
A Customized Approach to Every Patient
- Acne affects both skin and confidence, treatment must be personalized
- Plans are based on age, gender, acne severity, and lifestyle factors
- Special considerations include hormonal changes, pregnancy, or medical history
- Goal: treat the root cause, not just surface symptoms
When Will You See Results?
- Acne treatment is a gradual, guided process, not an overnight fix
- Visible improvement typically begins within 6–12 weeks
- Regular follow-ups help adjust and optimize results
- Long-term consistency leads to clearer, healthier skin
Why Proper Treatment Matters?
- Prevents acne from worsening or recurring
- Reduces risk of permanent scarring
- Improves overall skin health and confidence
- Ensures safe, effective, and long-term results
Treatment Cost
The cost of acne treatment varies depending on the severity of your condition and the type of treatment recommended. Every plan is thoughtfully tailored to ensure you receive the most effective care and optimal results for your skin.
Treatment Options
Understanding Acne: Causes, Triggers, and Types
Acne is not just a physical condition, it can impact confidence, self-image, and overall quality of life. Without proper treatment, acne can progress in severity, making it more difficult to manage and increasing the risk of long-term skin damage. Proper care and timely treatment are essential to prevent scarring and maintain healthy skin. With the right guidance and medical support, achieving clear skin is not only possible, it is sustainable.
Research shows four key players are involved in the formation of acne: excess oil, clogged pores, bacteria, and inflammation. The excess oil is sebum, which our bodies make to prevent the skin from drying out. Sebum increases dramatically during adolescence when hormones known as androgens spur production into overdrive. If excess sebum cannot flow to the skin’s surface, clogged pores result. P. acnes, a bacteria found on everyone’s skin, flourishes in the excess oil and results in inflammation. While acne is not caused by specific foods, certain foods may make some people’s conditions worse. If certain foods seem to worsen the problem, try to avoid them. Currently, the only scientific studies that correlate diet with acne show that sugar can promote or worsen the condition. Research has shown some of the following items can trigger or worsen acne symptoms:
- Heredity/genetics
- Fluctuating hormone levels
- Menstruation
- Picking at sores
- Wearing tight clothing, helmets, and headgear
- Stress that increases cortisol levels
- Oily or greasy personal care products
Our Philosophy
“I enjoy treating acne because I identify with these patients. As a teen, I struggled with acne, and as an adult I also dealt with acne. As a physician, you don’t have to have the condition to treat it well, but when you’ve experienced it yourself, it brings deeper empathy.”
— Dr. Ellen Turner
Type and Severity of Acne
Non-inflammatory acne is referred to in the general dermatology community as comedonal. This category includes blackheads and whiteheads. Inflammatory acne appears as papules (bumps), pustules, cysts, or nodules. More severe cases are characterized by cysts and nodules and can cause scarring. Severe cases should be treated quickly and aggressively. The best treatment method for the condition depends on its severity. A mild form is easier to manage and can be treated with over-the-counter topical medications, while moderate to severe acne is much more difficult to treat and may require prescription medications.
Acne can be classified as several different subtypes, including:
Acne Vulgaris
The most common, typical form that includes most flareups.
Acne Mechanica
Common among athletes and caused by a combination of excess heat, pressure, and friction on the skin.
Acne Cosmetica
Caused by cosmetics such as makeup and creams.
Excoriated Acne
Develops due to excessive picking or scratching at blemishes to the point of wounding the skin.
Common Symptoms of Acne
This skin condition typically occurs on the face, forehead, chest, upper back, and shoulders, but it can also appear elsewhere. The type of acne symptoms you have will vary depending on its severity.
Whiteheads
Closed bumps on the surface of the skin that are blocked with excess oil and dead skin. These small, round spots with a white or yellowish appearance develop under the surface.
Blackheads
Open plugged pores where excess oil and dead skin have accumulated. The black color is caused by an irregular reflection of light on open pores, not dirt.
Papules
Small red or pink bumps that become inflamed and feel sensitive or tender to the touch. These occur when pores become clogged with bacteria and an inflammatory response occurs.
Pustules
Inflamed papules clogged with pus containing oil, bacteria, and dead cells. Scarring may occur if you scratch or pick at them.
Nodules
Large, hard pimples or bumps that develop in the deeper part of the skin and feel painful. Can cause scarring because it involves deeper layers.
Cysts
The most severe form of acne, penetrating deep into the skin. These often painful, pus-filled bumps look similar to boils and may cause scars.
Essential Skincare Habits During Treatment
Get a Diagnosis and Effective Acne Treatment in Dallas and Irving
Even though most people experience the occasional pimple or blemish, persistent acne is a deeper concern that requires the right diagnosis and treatment. At the Dermatology Office, patients in Dallas and Irving can find lasting relief through proven, medically guided solutions. If your acne is not improving or continues to return, Dr. Ellen Turner and her team provide personalized care designed to treat not just the symptoms, but the root cause, helping you achieve clearer, healthier skin with confidence. Clear skin begins with the right diagnosis and expert care. To explore your treatment options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Ellen Turner today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Acne develops when excess oil (sebum), clogged pores, bacteria, and inflammation affect the skin. Hormonal changes especially during adolescence can increase oil production and lead to breakouts.
During a consultation, Dr. Turner examines the skin to identify the type and severity of acne, such as comedonal or inflammatory acne. She also considers factors like age, medical history, and hormonal influences before recommending treatment.
Acne can be triggered or worsened by genetics, hormonal changes, menstruation, stress, and certain lifestyle factors. Picking at blemishes, tight clothing or helmets, and oily skincare products may also contribute.
Yes, moderate to severe acne especially cysts and nodules can lead to permanent scarring if left untreated. Early dermatological treatment helps reduce inflammation and lowers the risk of lasting skin damage.
Hormonal acne often appears along the jawline, chin, and neck, particularly in adult women. It may be treated with medications such as spironolactone, which helps regulate hormones that increase oil production.
Treatment options include topical medications like retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, and salicylic acid. For more severe cases, oral antibiotics, hormonal treatments, or combination therapies may be recommended.
Yes, acne treatment plans are personalized for each patient. Dr. Turner considers the acne type, severity, medical history, and factors such as pregnancy or hormonal conditions before recommending treatment.
No, acne can affect people of all ages, including adults. Many adult women experience acne due to hormonal changes, stress, and lifestyle factors.
Acne treatments usually take time to show results. Most patients begin seeing improvement within 6 to 12 weeks with consistent treatment and proper skincare.
Spironolactone is a medication commonly prescribed to treat hormonal acne in adult women. It works by regulating androgen hormones that increase oil production and cause breakouts. Women should avoid pregnancy while taking this medication.