About Acne
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your pores become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It causes whiteheads, blackheads, or pimples. Acne is not dangerous but can leave scars on the skin.
Treatment depends on the severity and persistency of the acne. Risk factors include genetics, the menstrual cycle, anxiety and stress, hot and humid climates, using oil-based makeup, and squeezing pimples.
Acne is most common among teenagers, though it affects people of all ages. It is not just limited to face but can occur on back, chest, neck, thighs, or upper arms.
It affects 3 in every 4 people aged 11 to 30 years.
- Keep your skin clean. Gently wash your face up to twice daily and after sweating. Choose a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser. Apply it with your fingertips, as scrubbing with washcloths, sponges, and other tools can irritate your skin.
- Choose the right skin care. Use gentle skin care products and ones that say “alcohol-free” on the label. Avoid products that can irritate your skin, including astringents, toners, and exfoliants.
- Shampoo regularly. The oil from your hair can cause acne on your forehead. If you have oily hair, shampoo more often than you do now and keep your hair away from your face.
- Stick to your treatment. Trying new acne treatments too often can irritate your skin and cause breakouts. Give your treatment time to work. It may take several weeks to few months before you see a difference.
- Keep your hands off. Touching your face throughout the day can cause acne to flare. While it can be tempting to pick, pop, or squeeze your acne, doing so will make the acne take longer to clear and increase your risk for scarring and dark spots.
- Stay out of the sun and tanning beds. Along with increasing your risk for skin cancer, tanning damages your skin and can worsen acne. Some acne medications can also make your skin very sensitive to damaging ultraviolet rays from the sun and tanning beds.
Treatment Options
- Light therapy
- Chemical peel
- Drainage and extraction
- Steroid injection
- Antibiotics
- Oral contraceptives
- Anti-androgen agents
- Isotretinoin
- Retinoids
- Antibiotics
- Azelaic and salicylic acid
- Dapson
Questions & Answers
Do you have a question about Acne? To get started, ask your family physician for a requisition form to book an appointment with Dr. Neel Malhotra and we look forward to seeing you at our clinic.
Do Acne Scars Fade Over Time?
Acne scars happen when your normal skin tissue is damaged and replaced with fibrous scar tissue. This usually happens when you pick and squeeze your pimples. Acne scars are mostly permanent and do not go away on their own. There are various treatment options available for acne scars, including laser treatment, skin surgery, chemical peels, and fillers.
Are Acne Genetic?
Genetics does play a role in determining how likely you are to have acne. Factors affecting acne are a combination of hormonal, food, hereditary and environmental factors.
Will acne go away after pregnancy?
Many women experience episodes of acne during pregnancy. This is perfectly normal and results due to change in hormones in the body. For some, their skin will return to normal once the baby has been born. For others, the decline in estrogen after birth means the acne may hang around a few more months as the hormones rebalance.
Are home remedies better than clinical treatment?
Home remedies tend to be less effective than clinical treatments and they can be irritate and aggravate acne eruptions. Always seen our Medical Experts for treatment to prevent scarring and complications.