Acne is a common skin problem experienced by upto 70% of individuals at some point of their lives. This condition is not only limited to teenagers as previously believed, as adult acne today forms an important chunk of everyday dermatology practice. Acne occurs due to clogging of pores as a result of excess sebum or dead skin cells on face, neck, back, chest and shoulders in majority of the cases.
Acne appears in the form of blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, cysts and nodules which can lead to permanent scars and blemishes if not treated early and adequately.
Acne is typically neglected by many of us thinking that they will go away with age, but data suggests that acne has significant psychosocial impact and should be treated at the earliest to prevent scars, which are not only more challenging to treat but also at times permanent.
Root cause of acne
There can be multiple causes for the occurrence of acne. Knowing the reasons becomes very important for individuals as they can seek preventive measures to avoid further breakouts.
- Typically acne is a result of 4 factors – excessive oil production, blocked oil gland ducts, P. acnes bacteria and inflammation. They maybe aggravated or triggered by:
- Excessive cosmetic use
- Oil application on face
- Occlusive dressing
- Excessive sun exposure
- Whey protein or steroidal supplements
- Hormonal imbalance such as polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) or thyroid disease
- Stress
- Medications – anti epileptic drugs, occlusive creams, steroids (oral/topical), etc.
Correct & timely treatment of the acne by a certified dermatologist after assessing your signs and symptoms should be seeked. Acne is a curable disease with only a few patients requiring recurrent treatment.
The acne treatment largely depends on the stage of the acne. If it is mild topical medication generally is sufficient and may or may not be combined with any procedural intervention such as chemical peels depending on the presenting symptoms. Further for moderate to severe acne, oral medication is suggested. For acne scar reduction dermarollers, fractional CO2 lasers or fractional microneedling are gold standard treatment choices.
Dr. Mehul Patel has completed advanced dermatology training from Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital (VMMC), New Delhi. Advanced training from a premier institute like VMMC ensures that Dr. Mehul Patel has the highest level of knowledge and skills in dermatology. VMMC is recognized as one of the top medical institutions in India, known for its rigorous training programs and producing highly competent medical professionals.