What is acne?
Acne is a medical term used for pimples. Pimples can appear in the form of black heads (open comedones) or white heads (closed comedones), pus filled bumps (pustules), raised red painful bumps (papules or nodules) or large painful lumps (cysts). Common areas affected by acne include face, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms.
What are the causes of acne?
Acne is an inflammatory skin disorder involving the sebaceous (oil) glands connected to hair follicles. In acne, hair, sebum (oil), and skin cells (keratinocytes) stick together inside the pores, preventing the keratinocytes from shedding and blocking the sebum from reaching the skin’s surface. This buildup of oil and cells creates an environment for bacteria, which normally live on the skin, to multiply within the clogged follicles, leading to inflammation—swelling, redness, heat, and pain. When the wall of the clogged follicle breaks, it releases bacteria, skin cells, and sebum into the surrounding skin, resulting in lesions or pimples.
Various factors can trigger acne including:
- Genetic factors: Those having family history of acne or scarring are more susceptible.
- Hormonal factors: These include premenstrual flare, pregnancy or post-partum acne, PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), thyroid disorders, adrenal disorders and others.
- Medications: Certain medications like hormonal pills, corticosteroids, psychiatric medications can trigger acne
- Dietary factors: Excess intake of diary products, refined sugar, refined flour and other foods with high glycemic index (foods with greater impact on blood sugar levels) can trigger acne
- Skin care/cosmetic products: Use of occlusive (which tend to clog the pores) products, oily and greasy products, layering of make up products, aggressive massages or scrubbing can cause flare up of acne.
- Stress: Psychological stress or poor sleep cycle can trigger acne
- Environmental factors: High humidity, pollution, exposure to certain chemicals in industrial settings or excess sunlight exposure can exacerbate acne
- Mechanical factors: Pressure from backpacks, headbands, helmets, tight occlusive clothing etc. can trigger face or body acne accordingly.
Which face wash/soap should I use for face acne/pimples?
Cleansers or face washes are meant to get rid of dirt, sweat, sebum (natural oil) from skin, oil from cosmetic products, micro-organisms and shed off dead skin cells. An ideal cleanser shouldn’t damage or irritate the skin and should help retain moisture. One shouldn’t feel extreme dryness or tightness on the skin after face wash. Avoid vigorous rubbing or scrubbing the face with the face washes or exfoliating scrubs. A gentle fragrance-free cleanser is preferable in acne prone skin followed by a light hydrating moisturizer. Certain acne medications tend to dry out your skin. In those cases, the skin care is modified accordingly.
Should I use sunscreen if I have acne?
One of the most common myth or concern among patients with acne or acne-prone skin is the fear that sunscreen will cause acne flare-ups. An ideal sunscreen for acne should be non-greasy, non-comedogenic and preferably a gel-based sunscreen. Sunscreens help prevent UV radiation induced damage to the skin, which in turn can help reduce pore clogging and the appearance of dark spots (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH). Additionally, certain acne medications and procedural treatments can make the skin more sensitive to sun exposure, making sunscreen use even more essential in these cases.
Why do I keep getting acne/have acne prone skin?
The most common causes for persistent acne/acne prone skin are dietary and lifestyle factors. Dietary factors include intake of foods with high glycemic index e.g. refined sugar or refined carbohydrates, frequent consumption of dairy products prepared with high fat milk and deep-fried foods. High-glycemic foods can cause insulin spikes, which in turn may stimulate oil production leading to frequent breakouts. Sedentary lifestyle is another major contributing factor to adult acne. Stress, sleep deprivation, and lack of exercise can all negatively impact the skin health. Using heavy, pore-clogging skincare products or makeup can worsen acne. Additionally, using heavy, pore-clogging skincare or makeup products can exacerbate acne, as can hormonal disorders such as PCOS, thyroid issues, or early-onset or uncontrolled diabetes. Identifying and understanding your unique acne triggers is key to effectively managing and reducing breakouts.
How do I get rid of acne marks/scars?
Acne scarring is a prevalent concern that can significantly impact an individual’s mental well-being, often leading to reduced self-esteem and affecting performance in professional and academic settings. It is the inevitable sequelae of inflammation occurring in acne.
Acne marks can appear as red spots, dark spots or white spots post acne.
Acne scars can be depressed appearing as pits on skin surface or elevated above the surface.
Acne marks can largely be prevented or reduced by avoiding picking or squeezing the zits/pimples and seeking the treatment as early as possible. A proper skincare routine tailored to one’s skin type can help manage acne breakouts and prevent or reduce further skin damage. Majority of acne scars are depressed, also known as atrophic scars. Treatment of acne scars/marks requires a multimodal comprehensive and individualized approach to improve the texture and appearance of skin. A certified dermatologist will assess the type, depth, and severity of scars before recommending the appropriate treatment. Various treatment options for acne scars/marks include chemical peels, micro-neeedling, resurfacing lasers, subcision, injectables and so on. Factors such as skin type, the severity of acne, scar depth, and overall skin health influence the treatment outcome.
Which creams/gels can I use for facial acne?
Treatment of facial acne includes a combination of skin care, a healthy lifestyle, medications (creams/gels and/or oral tablets/capsules) and procedural treatments. Thorough assessment of skin type is prudent to choose the right skincare and the treatment options. A good skin care regimen not only helps maintain the skin barrier but also prevents possible adverse effects like burning, irritation, stinging and rashes from the anti-acne gels or creams. There are many anti-acne creams or gels available in the market such as those containing salicylic acid, clindamycin, benzoyl peroxide, niacinamide, retinoids etc. One should refrain from using any such products on their own to prevent any inadvertent side-effects. The choice and strength of anti-acne formulation to be used depend on several factors such as skin type, type of acne, concomitant medications, job profile, daily schedule and so on.
For acne related queries and treatments, consult the one of the best dermatologist in Ludhiana, Dr Khayati Singla at Neeyati gastro and skin clinic. Click here to book an appointment.
