Acne Treatment in Huntsville, AL
Adult acne is common, treatable, and routinely dismissed. It is worth an actual visit rather than another shelf of products.
Acne is evaluated and treated at IM Clinic through examination, review of contributing factors including medications and hormones, and a stepwise treatment plan using topical and oral options. Most acne responds well to primary care management, with dermatology referral reserved for severe or scarring disease.
Adult acne is its own thing
Acne that appears or persists into adulthood often behaves differently from teenage acne: frequently along the jawline and chin, often inflammatory, and commonly influenced by hormones. It also tends to have been treated for years with over-the-counter products chosen more or less at random. A visit is usually more productive than another product.
What we look for
We take a history that includes menstrual patterns where relevant, medications and supplements that can trigger breakouts, skin care routine, and family history. Certain patterns warrant checking for an underlying hormonal cause such as polycystic ovary syndrome, and we test when the picture suggests it.
Treatment options
Treatment is stepwise and depends on the type and severity of acne. Options include topical retinoids, topical antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide combinations, oral antibiotics for a limited course, and hormonal treatments for appropriate patients. We explain the expected timeline honestly. Most acne treatment takes six to twelve weeks to show its real effect, which is exactly why people abandon regimens that were working.
When we refer
Severe nodular or cystic acne, acne that is scarring, and disease that has not responded to appropriate treatment warrant dermatology. Some patients are candidates for isotretinoin, which is prescribed and monitored by dermatology. We make that referral promptly rather than cycling through more of the same.
This page is general information, not medical advice for your situation. Talk with your clinician about your own care.
Common questions
Do I need a dermatologist for acne?
Not usually. Most acne is treated effectively in primary care. We refer for severe, cystic, or scarring acne, and for patients who may be candidates for isotretinoin.
How long before treatment works?
Typically six to twelve weeks before you see the real effect, and skin sometimes looks worse before it looks better. Knowing that in advance is what keeps people from quitting a regimen that was about to work.
Could my acne be hormonal?
It can be, particularly adult acne along the jawline and chin. If your history suggests an underlying hormonal cause, we test for it rather than guessing.
Can this be handled by video visit?
Often yes. Acne is visible, which makes it well suited to telemedicine for follow-up. An initial evaluation is usually better in person.
Other conditions we manage
High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is not a number to be embarrassed about. It is one input into a risk calculation, and that calculation is what actually matters.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is usually found on a blood test, not because you felt it. Caught early, a great deal can be done to slow it down.
Joint & Back Pain
Most joint and back pain does not need a specialist, an MRI, or surgery. It needs an accurate diagnosis and a plan someone follows up on.
Appointments
How to get an appointment
Two paths, depending on whether we have seen you before.
New patients
Register, then we'll call you
Complete your registration online. It takes a few minutes. Our office contacts you to schedule your first visit and verify your insurance before you come in.
Existing patients
Request in the portal or the app
Send an appointment request through the patient portal or the athenaPatient app and our staff will schedule it. You can also text us at (256) 715-9598. For anything same-day or urgent, please call. The phone is faster.
Prefer to talk to someone? Call (256) 715-9598 during office hours: Monday through Wednesday 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Thursday and Friday 7:30 AM to noon. That same number accepts text messages.
Accepting new patients
Come see if we are a good fit for you. Register online in a few minutes, or call and we will walk you through it.
Already a patient? Request an appointment in the portal or use the athenaPatient app.