Acne
What is Acne?
Acne is a common skin condition that causes pimples on the forehead, face, shoulders, chest and upper back. Genetics, fluctuating hormone levels, stress, high humidity, and the use of personal care products are all potential causes. Acne is a common skin problem that affects teenagers but can occur at any age. Acne is a common skin condition in which the pores of your skin become clogged by hair, sebum (an oily fluid), germs, and dead skin cells. These obstructions result in blackheads, whiteheads, nodules, and other types of pimplesÂ
Common site for Acne
Acne is most commonly found on your face, forehead, chest, shoulders, and upper back. Oil glands can be found all over your body, but these are the ones with the most. The best technique to treat acne is determined by its severity. Acne can be modest (a few pimples here and there), moderate (inflammatory papules), or severe (nodules and cysts).
Types of Acne
Blackheads: Blackheads are open lumps on the skin that fill with excess oil and dead skin. The black patches appear to be dirt deposited in the bump, but they are actually created by an uneven light reflection off the obstructed follicle.
Whiteheads: Whiteheads are bumps that are sealed shut by oil and dead skin.
Papules: Small red or pink pimples.
Pustules are pus-filled pimples. They have the appearance of whiteheads surrounded by red rings. If picked or scraped, they can leave scars.
Pityrosporum folliculitis (fungal acne): This type occurs when an overabundance of yeast develops in the hair follicles. They may become irritated and inflamed.
Nodules: Large, solid, painful lumps under the skin
Cysts: Painful, pus-filled lumps under the skin
What is the cause of Acne?
- Acne is primarily a hormonal disorder caused by androgen hormones, which become active during the adolescent and young adult years. Acne can be caused by sensitivity to these hormones, in combination with surface microorganisms on the skin and fatty acids within oil glands.
- Certain factors, such as fluctuating hormone levels around the time of a menstrual period, might cause or worsen acne.
- Air pollution, as well as certain weather conditions, particularly excessive humidity.
- Using oily or greasy personal care items (such as heavy lotions, creams, or hair pomades and waxes) or working in an environment where you are frequently exposed to grease (such as working at a restaurant where there are greasy food surfaces and frying oil).
- Acne flare-ups can be exacerbated by stress, which raises the hormone cortisol.
- Some medicines.
- Genetics.
How is Acne Diagnosed?
During a skin examination, your clinician can diagnose acne. They may also inquire as to whether you are under a lot of stress or if you have a family history of acne, both of which are risk factors. Teenage girls and women may also be asked about their menstrual cycles, as acne and menstrual cycles are occasionally linked. In elderly people, sudden, severe acne outbreaks can sometimes be a sign of some underlying ailment that necessitates medical care.
Acne Treatment
Acne is a common skin condition that causes pimples on the forehead, face, shoulders, chest and upper back.
Acne Scars Treatment
We use fillers to fill in acne scars and help even out the skin. The fillers can be made with collagen, your own fat, or a commercial filler.
Treatment for Acne
Topical Treatment
Benzoyl Peroxide: This ingredient kills acne-causing bacteria, removes oil and skin cells that clog pores. It also has bleaching properties.
Clindamycin: Topical antibiotic which works as anti inflammatory and reduces bacterial count.
Tretinoin (Vitamin-A): It’s especially useful for comedonal acne (clogged pores and blackheads). It makes the dead skin cells fall off so they don’t stick together and clog your pore openings.
Clascoterone: Clascoterone is a new topical treatment for moderate to severe acne It decreases excess oil production and inflammation.
Triclosan / Triclocarban: An topical antibiotic cream that kills the bacteria clogging the pore.
Oral Medications
Oral Antibiotics:Â Dermatologists often prescribed Doxycycline and Azithromycin for fighting the bacterial infection causing the acne.
Vitamin supplements like zinc:Â They help is faster wound healing and thus reduce the chances of scarring.
Isotretinoin: a synthetic form of vitamin A. It is considered the most effective for severe acne. Avoid pregnancy for 3 months if isotretinoin is started.
Hormonal Treatments: Birth control pills and spironolactone are not first-line acne treatments, but they can help women whose acne breaks out often around the time of their menstrual cycle or who have hormonal disorders that cause acne.
Steroids
Oral Steroids are used very rarely to treat severe acne or to reduce inflammation in large nodules.
Chemical Peels
Special chemicals are used in this treatment to remove the top layer of old skin. When the top layer of skin is removed, the new skin that grows in is usually smoother and less prone to acne scars.
Lasers
Lasers are currently used to treat acne scars. A laser provides heat to the scarred collagen beneath the skin, triggering the body’s wound healing response, which results in the formation of new, healthy collagen. This promotes the development of new skin to replace it. There are two kinds of laser resurfacing: ablative and non-ablative. Your dermatologist Dr. Deepam Shah will advise you on the best treatment option based on your skin type and the nature of your acne scars.
Q-switched Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser for the treatment of acne-induced postinflammatory hyperpigmentation which reduces sebum production and clearing acne.
For more information & consultation on Acne treatment, visit VIVA Aesthetic Clinic at Opera House or contact us on 022 3573 1556 | 93245 89084 or simply fill in your name and number & one of our team member will get in touch with you soon. Our team of experts along with Dr. Deepam Shah, MD. DNB. FAM – Dermatologist, Cosmetologist & Hair Transplant Surgeon, will help you out in understanding your problem and guide you through every stage of your treatment.
