Acne and Acne Scar Treatment

Following are the Factors that may trigger Acne:

1. Age: Teenagers are more prone to acne development due to hormonal changes, yet it affects all age groups of people.
2. Hormone: An alteration in hormonal secretion in the body, especially the male sex hormone, Androgen triggers the acne problem. The Androgen is responsible for the secretion of oil glands (sebaceous), which produces sebum has a direct role in the acne formation when alters. The low amount of sebum in the woman’s blood that may occur due to puberty, pregnancy or oral contraceptive pills worsen the acne issue.
3. Family history: Genes play a key role, if both parents had acne, you are more prone to the same.
4. Certain Medications: Drugs containing corticosteroids, testosterone, or lithium triggers the acne problem.
5. Diet: Food rich in carbohydrate and dairy products accelerates the acne problem such as skim milk, bread, chips, and bagels. Chocolates are suspected of making acne worse.
6. Friction or pressure on your skin: This can be caused by a variety of factors such as cellphones, telephones, helmets, tight collars, and backpacks.
7. Greasy or oily substances: You are prone to acne if using too much of oily creams or lotion or you are in contact with greasy areas or substance, especially while cooking.
8. Mental Stress: Stress can make acne worse.

1. Greasy foods: It is a myth that consumption of greasy foods triggers the acne problem. But, it is the fact that working in the greasy areas while cooking food may give chance for acne formation because oil can stick to the skin and block the hair follicles.
2. Hygiene:There is no relation to acne formation with dirty skin as washing face with harsh chemical-rich soap or facewash as well as regular scrubbing face may worsen the condition.
3. Cosmetics: It is a big myth that wearing cosmetic products accelerates acne because it doesn’t necessarily worsen acne, especially when you use oil-free cosmetic products. The oil-free makeup doesn’t clog pores as they are noncomedogenic and must remember to remove makeup before going to sleep. Non-oily cosmetics don’t interfere with the effectiveness of anti-acne drugs.

Treatment

Are you getting fed up with over-the-counter or nonprescription products and your acne condition is becoming worse day-by-day? Then, you need to consult with an expert dermatologist, they will help you by prescribing the right medications or therapy which you suit most after evaluating your state of the problem.

A Dermatologist can help you:

• Control your acne
• Avoid scarring or other types of damage
• Make scars virtually undetectable/less noticeable

Acne medications help in reducing acne formation by the following 3 ways:

• Reduces oil secretion or control the sebaceous gland activities
• Speeding up skin cell turnover
• Fighting bacterial infection and reduces inflammation, which further prevents scarring.

The treatment regimen opted for curing the acne problem is majorly decided by the following 3 factors:

1. Age of the patient
2. Type & severity of the problem
3. The expected outcomes

Both topical and oral medications are prescribed for acne treatment, but pregnant women are not advised for using oral medications. However, topical creams or lotions are prescribed, which is needed to be continued for a certain time period as your dermatologist suggested.

Communicating with the doctor is a must while treatment is going on as it is inevitable to tell about the risk & benefits of the medications after seeing the form of effectiveness.

The most common topical medications for acne treatment are as follows:

1. Retinoids& retinoid-like drugs:Topical retinoidsare extremely popular and effective acne medication. Retinoid drugs derived from vitamin A and contains tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A, others), adapalene (Differin) and tazarotene. It is needed to apply in the evening, beginning with three times a week, then daily when skin becomes used to it. It works by preventing the plugging of the hair follicles.
2. Antibiotics: This works by killing skin bacteria and reduces skin redness. For the first few months, it is recommended to use both retinoid and antibiotics, with the antibiotics applied in the morning and retinoid in the evening.
3. Salicylic acid and Azelaic acid: Salicylic acid is a naturally occurring acid found in whole-grain cereals and animal products. It is prescribed in creams or gels that treats mild to moderate acne. Salicylic acid may help prevent plugged hair follicles and it is more effective when used in combination with erythromycin. Side effects may include skin discoloration & minor skin irritation.
4. Dapsone: it is recommended for inflammatory acne, especially in adult females. Side effects may include redness & dryness.

Oral Medications

1. Antibiotics: Oral antibiotics are prescribed for moderate to severe acne to reduce inflammation occurred due to bacterial infection. Oral antibiotics are best used with the combination of topical retinoid and benzoyl peroxide. Side effects of antibiotics include upset stomach & dizziness.
2. Combined oral Contraceptives: Combined oral contraceptive pills are often referred to as birth control pills have an effective role in the acne treatment. This medicine includes a combination of estrogen & progesterone. The benefits of medication may not see for a few months, but effectiveness can be experienced with the combination of other acne medications. Side effects may include weight gain, breast tenderness & nausea and also increases the risk of blood clots in some cases.
3. Anti-androgen Agents:It works by blocking the effect of androgen hormone on the sebaceous or oil gland. Side effects may include breast tenderness & painful period.
4. Isotretinoin: It is a strong acne medication and recommended for those patients whose severe acne doesn’t respond to other treatments. Potential side effects are serious with Isotretinoin include increased risk of depression & suicide, ulcerative colitis, and severe birth defects, however, a strict evaluation before administrating the medications is mandatory and Isotretinion must participate in a food & drug administration-approved risk management program.

A quick listing of therapies that may be suggested for acne treatment depending on the severity of the case used alone or in combination with other medications:

1. Lasers & Photodynamic therapy:A variety of light-based therapies are used for acne treatment. Acne bacteria can be killed with pulsed light and heat energy. Laser treatment can also shrink the sebaceous gland.
2. Chemical peels: This procedure uses a chemical solution to peel off the outer layer of the skin and give a solution for the acne problem. The chemical used for skin peelings issalicylic acid, glycolic acid or retinoic acid. It is required to have a repeated session of chemical peels to control the acne formation.
3. Extraction of whiteheads & blackheads: ADermatologist may use special tools to remove whiteheads or blackheads that doesn’t respond to topical medications. This technique may cause scarring.
4. Steroid Injection:Steroid injection is used to treat nodular and cystic lesions. But, the side effects may include thinning in the treated area.

Treating Children

Most studies found out this fact around 78% of children are affected acne lesions. One recent study of acne drugs concluded that many children of 12 years of age or older experience acne problems. However, it is a great concern for the parents to consult a pediatric dermatologist.

It is inevitable to know the condition and also get the idea of the following 3 major concerns:

• Ask about the drug to avoid in children and appropriate doses
• Drug interaction and side effects
• How treatment may affect a child’s growth & development.

Lifestyle & Homemade remedies

The formation of acne can be avoided or control, the mild acne by following some homemade remedies or changes in lifestyle can help a lot in preventing acne development.

A quick listing of daily rituals to avoid the problem as follows:

1. Facewash with gentle cleanser: Use gentle facewash to clean the problem area and follow it twice a day with lukewarm water. It is advisable to avoid certain products such as facial scrub, astringents, and masks. Excessive washing and scrubbing also worsen the condition.
2. Try over-the-counter acne products to control oil secretion & promote peeling: Use those products that contain the benzoyl peroxides, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or alpha-hydroxy acids that help in treating the mild to moderate acne. The common side effects of using nonprescription acne medications include redness, dryness, and scaling that may subside after the first month of using them.
3. Avoid irritants: Avoid using greasy cosmetics including greasy sunscreen, hairstyling products, or acne concealer. Only use noncomedogenic and water-based cosmetic products.
4. Sun protection is Mandatory: In some people, it is also found out that acne treatment makes their skin prone to sun damage. However, it is important to wear non-oily moisturizer enriched with SPF as protection when going out in the daytime.
5. Avoid friction or pressure on your skin: It is important to protect your acne–prone skin from contact with items such as mobile, telephone, tight collars, and backpacks.
6. Avoid touching the problem area: Don’t touch your acne areas as touching the same can trigger acne and increases the chances of infection or scarring.
7. Shower after strenuous activities: Oil and sweat on your skin can lead to breakouts.

There are some alternative and integrative approaches are used in the treatment of acne and some of them are quite useful. But, it is needed to consult with your dermatologist before using any of the alternative options as it needs a thorough evaluation, prior to having the doses. The alternative and integrative approaches include fish oil, brewer’s yeast, probiotics, oral zinc, and topical tea tree oil.

Coping & Support

Counseling and catharsis are needed, especially in the case of skin problem and acne issue is one of them. It goes without saying that the acne problem affects one’s self-image and self-confidence that disturbs social and personal relationships. The counseling has a very important role in making the patients’ ease and support act as a confidence booster. Thus, it is a key responsibility of a doctor or dermatologist to help their patients in managing stress and tension associated with the acne problem.

If you are affected by acne problem that doesn’t respond to self-care and homemade remedies, it is advisable to have a consultation with your dermatologist. To avoid the chances of a severe form of acne, it is needed to start early treatment of the issue. After having a thorough initial examination of the problem, your dermatologist will advise the feasible treatment, either medicinal or therapy.

What you have to ready with for the consultation:
1. List your key medical information: It is important to tell your doctor/dermatologist about using any kind of medicines or over-the-counter products including vitamins & supplements if you are affected by the acne problem.

2. List key personal information: Are you affected by any stress or recent life changes or trauma, must tell your doctor.
3. List questions to ask: Don’t hesitate for asking questions as this is your chance to clarify everything concerning the acne issue. It will be a great help if you make a list of questions, prior to visiting the clinic.

Following are some relevant questions that you must ask with your dermatologist associated with acne issue:

• What treatment option do you recommend for me?
• What treatment measure you will apply if a first treatment won’t respond to my case?
• Is there any potential side effect of using the prescribed medications, if yes what are those?
• How long can I safely use the medications?
• How soon I will notice the improvement after starting the medicines?
• When I will call to have a follow-up after starting the first treatment schedule?
• Is it safe to stop prescribed medications if that doesn’t respond properly?
• What self-care step should I follow to improve my condition?
• Is it needed to change my diet plan?
• Do you recommend changes to the over-the-counter products, i.e., soaps, shampoo, sunscreen, and cosmetics?

What to Expect from your Doctor/Dermatologist?

Your doctor is likely to ask a number of questions to you and you must be ready to answer every question with the right information. It will help you to address the issue with the right course of treatment.

Your Doctor may ask you the following questions:

• When had you first noticed the problem?
• Are you experiencing stress during the menstrual cycle or in your daily life?
• Are you using any prescribed drugs, contraceptive pills, or over-the-counter products?
• Do you have a regular period?
• What self-care or homemade remedy have you tried so far?
• Are you pregnant or you are planning the same?
• Do you have a family history of acne?

Dr. Shweta is one of the most renowned names in the cosmetic treatment in Mumbai served thousands & thousandpatients happily, includingBollywood celebrities and many patients from out of the country. She is contributing the Allure Medspa, Andheri West centre in Mumbai and has been a long waiting list of her patients seeking the treatment only with Dr. Shweta because her credentials in the cosmetic world set her apart from the rest of other dermatologists/cosmetologist in Mumbai, India.

With vast knowledge and extensive experiences, Dr. Shweta is known as one of the expert cosmetic dermatologists in Mumbai and famous for her aesthetic, long-lasting, natural results of the cosmetic treatment. She has expertise in solving the issue of skin, especially the acne problem, aging issue, depigmentation, scar problem, uneven skin, dark skin, and any concern that needs cosmetic attention.

She has extensive experience and expertise in performing the Botox treatment, fillers, cheek augmentation, lip filling, and nose augmentation. She is a recognized key dermatologist in Mumbai and has the great convincing skills and dealt a number of cases for the patients seeking the right treatment measure at the right time.  Her persuasive skills and expert treatment ability helped many celebrity patients in achieving the desired cosmetic goal as well as the best cosmetic treatment/services in Mumbai.

She has more than seven accreditations in the implementation, structuring, and design of oral and poster presentations made in her name. She has also been an active participator and a contributor to a number of national and international conferences of dermatologists. She has even conducted numerous cosmetic treatments in her professional tenure.