Acne

Acne, also known as acne vulgaris, is a recurrent skin condition in which the pores and hair follicles of the skin become clogged with sebum. Acne can manifest as pimples, blackheads or comedones, or nodules on the skin. The symptoms of acne include:

• Reddened and painful skin around the acne spots
• Skin that may become darker or scarred over time
• Fever and joint pain may occur in rare but severe cases of acne

Some symptoms based on the type of acne are:

1. Comedogenic Acne (Non-inflammatory Acne)

• Closed comedones (whiteheads): Small round lesions that contain whitish material (sebum and dead skin cells).
• Open comedones (blackheads): Small round lesions that appear as bumpy dark spots.

2. Non-comedogenic Acne (Inflammatory Acne)

• This type of acne appears as a red and painful area on the skin.
• They are small, reddish bumps that may or may not be filled with pus, developed from comedones.
• This inflammatory acne can present in various forms, including:
• Papules: Small painful bumps resembling eruptions on the skin.
• Pustules: Pimples filled with pus that are red in color.
• Nodules: Large, painful, solid pimples that are deep in the skin.
• Cysts: Deep, painful, pus-filled pimples that can cause scars.

In some cases, a person may also suffer from a severe form of acne known as nodulocystic acne. In this condition, knots form on the skin as hardened masses larger than 5 mm, usually present in the areas of the back and neck.

The common causes of acne are:

1. Hormonal conditions: Androgens are hormones that increase in both boys and girls during puberty, causing the sebaceous glands to enlarge and produce more sebum. Hormonal changes during midlife, particularly in women, such as PCOS and pregnancy, can also lead to acne breakouts. The menstrual cycle is a significant factor contributing to hormonal acne in women.
2. Genetic factors: Genetics may play a role in the development, course, and severity of acne. Acne is not caused by a single gene but rather by a combination of various genes.
3. Environmental factors: Environmental elements, such as sunlight, can exacerbate acne, along with skin aging. Additionally, climatic conditions, such as humidity, can aggravate acne in certain individuals due to overstimulation of the sebaceous glands.
4. Lifestyle factors: Certain food products, including dairy and sugary foods, can trigger acne. Furthermore, stress and weight gain are significant contributors to acne in many individuals.
5. Health conditions: Certain metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, may lead to acne in some people. The use of specific medications, including lithium, corticosteroids, or testosterone-containing tablets and creams, can also result in acne.
6. Chemicals/products: The application of perfumed products, such as cosmetics, hair products, and soaps, can cause acne in some individuals. Irritation of the affected skin area from scratching, pulling, pressing, or wearing tight garments, such as headbands or scarves around the face and neck, can also lead to acne.

Want to know about the causes of acne in detail? Check out this video.

Almost everyone is at risk of developing acne at some point in their lives. Below are some common risk factors for acne:

• Age: People of all ages can get acne, but it is most common in teenagers.
• Hormonal changes: Changes in hormones, which are common during puberty or pregnancy, can increase the risk of acne.
• Family history: Genetics plays a role in acne. If both of your parents or any immediate family members had acne, you are likely to develop it too.
• Greasy or oily substances: Acne may develop when your skin comes into contact with oil or oily lotions and creams.
• Food: Studies indicate that consuming certain foods, including carbohydrate-rich foods such as bread, bagels, and chips, may worsen acne.
• Friction or pressure on your skin: This can be caused by items such as telephones, cellphones, helmets, tight collars, and backpacks.
• Stress: While it does not cause acne, stress may worsen existing acne.

If you are suffering from acne, your dermatologist will diagnose you by examining the lesions. They will observe the type of acne and the locations of the breakouts on the face or other areas of the body. This assessment aids in formulating an effective treatment plan for you.

Women of childbearing age who experience acne should undergo tests after a history of dysmenorrhea or hirsutism has been assessed, including:

• Testosterone total test
• LH test
• FSH test
• DHEA test

Acne may seem like a non-serious issue but can affect an individual's confidence and lead to self-consciousness, anxiety, depression, and lower self-esteem. If you suffer from acne frequently, here are some preventive tips to avoid acne breakouts:

• Wash your face after sweating: If you sweat after going out or wearing a hat or helmet, it can worsen your acne. Hence, it is advised to wash your skin as soon as possible after sweating.
• Stay away from irritating scrubs: It is advised to use your fingertips to apply a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser, rather than using a mesh sponge or an abrasive cloth that can irritate the skin.
• Be kind to your skin: It is advised to use gentle products that are alcohol-free. Products like astringents, scrubs, and exfoliants may irritate your skin and therefore should not be used if you suffer from acne.
• Use lukewarm water to clean your face: It is advised to rinse your face with lukewarm water after face wash. Avoid too cold or hot water if you have acne.
• Shampoo regularly: If you have oily hair, it could be the reason for acne on your forehead; therefore, it is advised to shampoo daily to get rid of the excess oil.
• Let your skin heal the natural way: Do not pop, pick, or squeeze your acne. This would not only worsen your acne problem but your skin will also take longer to heal. This also increases the risk of scarring.
• Stop touching your face: Your hands carry germs, which transfer to your face when you touch it, and can cause flare-ups.
• Be careful of sun and tanning: The sun is not your best friend, especially when it comes to skin conditions. Tanning damages your skin and certain acne medications make the skin quite sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light.

Diet & Acne

Certain foods are known to promote inflammation in the body, thereby resulting in acne outbreaks. In addition to that, diet can also affect hormone levels, making your acne worse. Following food items can cause acne breakouts:

• Foods that are high in fat content, for example, milk and meat.
• Foods and beverages with a high sugar content lead to high insulin levels, altering other hormones that can cause acne.
• Fast foods and snacks.
• In some patients, chocolate consumption was related to past or current acne. Therefore, it is advised to eat healthily and stay away from foods that could trigger your acne. Consult your dermatologist or a nutritionist to know what foods to avoid in order to achieve better and clear skin.

While the exact cause of acne is not known, the appearance and recurrence can be lowered by making simple lifestyle changes. One of these changes includes adding foods to your diet that help in fighting acne.

Click to know about some foods that help in reducing the appearance of acne and blemishes.

Acne can be treated successfully by either topical or oral anti-acne preparations. Some dermatologists also suggest a combination of both therapies. Listed below are some commonly used therapies to guide you about the treatment process:

1. Topical therapy

• Retinoids, such as retinoic acid, tretinoin, and adapalene, are used either alone or with other topical antibiotics.
• Antimicrobials, such as azelaic acid, are helpful in treating normal acne and post-inflammatory pigmentation of acne.
• Topical antibiotics, like clindamycin, azithromycin, and lotion, are effective in treating acne.
• Anti-acne agents, like salicylic acid, are used as a topical gel for seborrheic and comedonal acne. These are also useful in treating pigmentation caused after the healing of acne.
• Topical benzoyl peroxide is taken in combination with adapalene available in the gel base.
• Topical dapsone is useful in papular and comedogenic acne. Dapsone (aczone) 5% gel is recommended twice daily for inflammatory acne, especially in women. Side effects include redness and dryness.

2. Systemic therapy

• Antibiotics, like doxycycline, help in controlling inflammation and affect the secretion of free fatty acids. Minocycline is taken in the form of capsules once a day. Sometimes other antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, erythromycin, and sulfamethoxazole, are also used for acne. Ciprofloxacin is used in case of pseudomonas-caused acne.
• Oral isotretinoin (a derivative of vitamin A), like amnesteem or claravis, is used to control sebum production and reduce inflammation. It may be prescribed to people whose moderate or severe acne hasn't responded to other treatments.
• Low-dose estrogen may also be prescribed along with cyproterone acetate for treating severe recurrent acne.
• Spironolactone is prescribed to males dealing with acne issues. It is helpful in reducing the production of androgens and blocking the actions of testosterone.
• Combined oral contraceptives are approved by the FDA for acne therapy in women who also wish to use them for contraception. They are products that combine progestin and estrogen. The benefit of this treatment may not be visible for a few months; therefore, using other acne medications with these for the first few weeks may be helpful.

3. Other treatments

• Dermabrasion: In this procedure, the top layer of the skin is removed with the help of a rapidly rotating brush or another device. This helps remove surface scars and may also reduce the intensity of deeper acne scars.
• Chemical peel: In this procedure, a chemical solution is applied to the scar tissue to remove the top layer of the skin. This helps in minimizing the appearance of deeper scars.
• Skin needling: In this procedure, a needle-studded device is rolled over the skin to stimulate collagen formation.

Acne is a painful side effect of oily skin. Here are a few things you could try to improve your skincare game, especially if you have oily skin.

Medications, therapies, and treatments can give long-lasting results; however, it is important to take care of your skin at home too. Below are some tips to follow at home if you have acne:

• Be gentle with your skin: Use a mild cleanser in the morning and evening. Avoid scrubbing your skin as it can worsen your acne.
• Avoid certain products: Products such as facial scrubs, astringents, and masks can irritate the skin, especially sensitive skin, which can worsen acne. Excessive washing and scrubbing can also irritate the skin.
• Refrain from touching your skin too often: Squeezing, pinching, or picking at pimples can lead to scars or dark spots.
• Shave carefully: Both men and women should soften their facial hair with soap and water before applying shaving cream. Shave lightly and only when necessary.
• Avoid over-exposure to the sun: Many acne medications can make the skin more prone to sunburn. Consult a doctor to understand how your medication may react to sun exposure.
• Choose your makeup carefully: Use oil-free makeup and look for products labeled “non-comedogenic,” which means they will not clog pores.
• Use medications wisely: If a doctor has recommended a treatment plan, give it time to show results. Improvements may be noticeable within 4 to 6 weeks, but it may take over 3 months for the skin to clear.
• Avoid using different products all at once: Using a new acne product every week can irritate the skin and cause new breakouts, complicating treatment.

Watch this video to learn about natural ways to deal with acne or pimples.

Acne, when ignored for a long time, can become severe and ultimately lead to scar formation. Some common complications include:

• Scars: Pitted skin (acne scars) and thick scars (keloids) can remain for a long time after the acne has healed. Scars left by acne can affect both teenagers and adults. Scars are a result of acne breakouts penetrating deep into the skin layers. The longer someone has inflammatory acne, the higher the likelihood of developing acne scars. Therefore, it is best to seek timely treatment for this condition to prevent the formation of acne scars.
• Skin changes: After acne has cleared, the affected skin may be darker (hyperpigmented) or lighter (hypopigmented) than before.
• Emotional well-being: Acne can affect more than just the skin. It can have a significant impact on one’s emotional well-being. According to studies, acne can lead to low self-esteem, poor self-image, anxiety, depression, decreased quality of life, and feelings of isolation. Moreover, severe and chronic acne can also take a toll on confidence.

Ayurvedic science believes that acne results from the imbalance of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas in the body. Here is a list of some herbs that can help heal acne faster:

• Turmeric (Haldi): Turmeric has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal effects, which can help relieve acne problems. Apply a thin paste of turmeric over the affected area after consulting a doctor.
• Honey (Sahed) and Lemon (Nimbu): Honey and lemon possess antibacterial properties that may aid in healing acne. However, be cautious when applying lemon directly to the face, as it may irritate the skin.
• Neem leaves: Neem offers anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities. It is effective against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, hindering the growth of acne-causing bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). Ground fresh or dried neem leaves into a soft paste by adding water and apply it to the face. Wash it off after 10-15 minutes with warm water.

Pimples can be caused by various reasons. Read to know the home remedies to get rid of them.

Homeopathy

Unlike conventional treatment, homeopathy for acne claims to address this condition from its root without causing any side effects. Some of the homeopathic medications that are helpful in treating acne include:

• Pulsatilla: This is beneficial for treating acne associated with the onset of puberty in teenage girls. It can also help treat acne in pregnant women or those experiencing acne due to menstruation.
• Silicea: This is effective for treating cystic acne, which appears like boils. It also addresses slow-healing acne and acne that leaves pitting scars.
• Sulfur: Sulfur is useful for treating blackheads and whiteheads that are not deep and are present over a large area.

Acne scars not only mar appearance and reduce confidence, but they are also challenging to eliminate. Read about some effective natural remedies to help remove acne scars.

Even though almost everyone suffers from acne, a curable skin condition, in their life, it can still take a toll on one’s emotional well-being. It makes people conscious of their physical appearance, which in turn makes them feel embarrassed and less attractive. This thought process may become a severe issue in teenagers, potentially causing them to miss out on being active in class, participating in sports, and securing jobs.

Instead of feeling anxious or suppressing your feelings, consider the following:

• Talk about your feelings with friends or loved ones.
• Consult a doctor about treatment options and coping strategies.

Make sure to complete your treatment course and follow the doctor’s advice diligently to effectively address your acne. Acne is a completely curable condition but still has a significant impact on one’s mental well-being. Consult India's best doctors online with a single click.

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