Memphis Dermatologist on Acne Treatment Your Way

by George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (12/16/2024)

Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with an Acne patient — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with an Acne patient in his Cordova TN Dermatology Office

2024 and 2025 are an exciting time to practice as a Memphis Dermatologist, with many new helpful treatments now available for Acne, sometimes called Acne Vulgaris). Let’s take a look at the different types of acne, and some of the helpful options, my having practiced as a Board-certified Cordova Dermatologist for the last 32 years. New Acne treatments means that pimple popping should become a thing of the past, because it leads to Acne Scarring.

Young woman with Papulopustular Acne that can lead to Acne Scarring — Young woman with Acne Before and After photos

Acne is due to a clogging of the openings of the hair follicles, involving the sebaceous glands or oil glands. Traditional Acn comes in three degrees of severity. From most mild to most severe, we work on Comedonal Acne (Blackheads and Whiteheads), Papulopustular Acne (raised bumps), and Nodulocystic Acne (deep cysts, making resultant scarring much more of an issue). Furthermore, Acne patients can have oily skin, combination skin, or dry skin, so the treatment needs to be customized to the patient’s needs.

Nodulocystic Acne can be managed with oral antibiotics or Accutane (isotretinoin) — Nodulocystic Acne is the most severe type of Acne and it can lead to Acne Scarring

How to get rid of Acne? Acne treatment needs to be tailored to the level of severity and the patient’s relative oiliness. Board-certified Dermatologists often first consider one of six topical treatments, to help reduce clogging of pores: Benzoyl peroxide, Salicylic Acid, Retinoid products (like prescription Retin A® or Tretinoin, or (Trifarotene) (Akleif®), Azelaic Acid (prescription Finacea® or Azelex®), topical prescription Aczone® Gel (Dapsone Gel, Winlevi® Gel (Clascoterone), or topical Minocycline Foam (Amzeeq® Foam).

Young man applying Retin A or Tretinoin Cream as Acne Treatment — Young man applying Retinoid Cream to manage Acne Vulgaris

More severe Papulopustular Acne often requires oral antibiotics like doxycycline or minocycline, erythromycin or trimethoprim-sulfa, or sometimes an oral drug called spironolactone. If the Acne is resistant to oral antibiotics or causing Acne Scarring, Dermatologists sometimes consider an oral Retinoid medication – Accutane (Isotretinoin) – a drug which requires laboratory monitoring and careful avoidance of pregnancy while under treatment.

Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with Big River Silk Skincare staff

For years, my Memphis Dermatology patients have been asking what measures they can take to prevent acne. So after 25 years of practicing dermatology, in 2016 I decided to establish a skincare products company - Big River Silk Skincare™ Inc. – to manufacture and distribute certain cleansers and moisturizers for people with prone to Acne, whether they have oily skin, combination skin, or dry skin. We manufacture and distribute organic skincare products for people going onto prescription therapies. I incorporated cleansers and moisturizers that I have used for many years for my Tennessee Dermatology patients: AmberSoy™ Soap Gel, and GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion.

AmbeSoy Soap Gel is a soft glycerine acne wash — AmberSoy Soap Gel is a Best Acne Wash with soft glycerine composition

AmberSoy Soap Gel is a great cleanser option for people with oily or combination skin. It can be used as a type of face mask, wherein it’s applied to the skin, then left on for 5-10 minutes. Available in 1 oz ($14.95), 2 oz ($22.95), and 8 oz ($74.95), it is a soft glycerine Acne cleanser with no dyes, formaldehyde, nor propylene glycol, suitable for use as a face and/or back as a mask, whereby it’s left on the skin for 5-10 minutes before rinsing away.

Refined Shea Butter is the base chemical for GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion — Glycolic Acid is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid that makes the active agent in Exfoliating Moisturizer GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion

GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion is a helpful fragrance-free exfoliating moisturizer of which the active chemical is Glycolic Acid, an AHA or Alpha-hydroxy Acid originally discovered in pineapple. It also helps to even out the appearance of fine lines in the skin, making it into an antiwrinkle cream. 1 oz ($44.95), 2 oz ($68.95), and 8 oz ($228.95).

Young Woman washing her face to cut down on risk of Acne breakouts — Young woman washing her face to cut down on risk of Acne Vulgaris

Big River Silk Skincare’s AmberSoy Soap Gel and GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion are available for over-the-counter purchase at our headquarters, 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN 38018, Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. They can also be ordered at www.Bigriversilkskincare.com (shipping: $7.50 for orders under $70.00; $10.00 handling and shipping for Canadian orders under $100.00). 1-901-753-0168.

Cordova Dermatologist discussing Skin Health with an Acne patient — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury examines an Acne patient

If you or a family member has complexion issues needing Acne Treatment, consider first getting a checkup by a Board-certified Dermatologist. My own Memphis Dermatology practice since 1993 is with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova, TN, near both Germantown TN and Bartlett TN (www.Rheumderm.com or www.Bigriversilkskincare.com) (1-901-753-0168). Or you can find a ”Best Dermatologist Near Me” by going to the American Academy of Dermatology web site, AAD.org, then plugging your zip code into the “Find a Dermatologist” tab. Don’t delay: early treatment can make Acne Scarring much less of an issue.