Acne is a very common skin condition characterised by the presence of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) and pus-filled spots (pustules). It usually starts during puberty. Acne can be of varying severity, from a few spots on the face, neck, back and chest to deep, widespread scarring. It can affect daily life by causing psychological problems, ranging from a mild problem that most young people will experience after a while to a more serious problem that can reduce self-confidence. Most often, it tends to disappear in the early to mid-twenties, but can persist for longer. Acne can also develop for the first time in people in their late twenties and beyond.
Sometimes young children develop black spots and/or pustules on the cheeks or nose.
What causes acne?
Our oil (sebum) producing glands are affected by our hormones. In people with acne , the glands are particularly sensitive to even normal blood levels of these hormones. This causes the glands to produce too much oil. At the same time, cell debris in the ducts that form the pores thickens and dead skin cells are not properly exfoliated. A mixture of oil (sebum) and dead skin cells is formed and clogs the pores , creating blackheads and whiteheads. The plug of dead skin turns black not from dirt, but from exposure to air.
Acne bacteria (known as Cutibacterium acnes) live on everyone’s skin and usually do not cause problems. The accumulation of fat in acne creates an ideal environment for bacteria to multiply. This includes red, accompanied by inflammation leading to the formation of swollen or pus-filled swellings.
Sometimes acne can be caused by medications for other health conditions or by certain birth control shots or pills. Some tablets taken by bodybuilders contain hormones that can also trigger acne.
Diet can affect acne. High glycaemic index (GI) diets (e.g. sugary and sweetened foods, white bread, potatoes, white rice, etc.) have been shown to cause or exacerbate acne. Switching to a low GI diet may cause fewer blemishes. There is also some evidence that consuming milk and dairy products can trigger acne in some people, but this has not yet been studied in detail.
Most acne patients have normal hormone levels when tested; but acne can sometimes be caused by a problem with hormones. The most common problem with hormones in women is polycystic ovary syndrome. If you are female and have irregular menstrual periods, unusual hair growth or hair loss or Tell your doctor if there are any other changes in your body.
Is acne hereditary?
Acne can be genetically transmitted in families, However, many people with acne do not have affected people in their family. A combination of genetic, hormonal and lifestyle factors (diet, stress, skin care products, etc.) is likely to cause most acne.A combination of genetic, hormonal and lifestyle factors (diet, stress, skin care products, etc.) are likely to cause most acne.
What does acne look and feel like?
The typical appearance of acne is a mixture of the following: oily skin, blackheads, whiteheads, red spots and pus-filled pimples. Sometimes larger, deeper bumps (known as nodules) or cysts (which look like boils) may develop. The affected skin may feel warm, painful and may be sensitive to touch.
Acne can leave scars or marks on the skin, especially in the presence of nodules and cysts. These can be raised and lumpy (known as hypertrophic or keloid scars) or indented (known as pitted or atrophic scars). Acne can also leave discolouration, which can be red, hyperpigmented (darker than your normal skin colour) or hypopigmented (lighter than your normal skin colour).
Not all spots are acne, it is therefore advisable to consult your doctor if there is anything unusual about the rash.
An important aspect of having acne that is not talked about much is its effect on mood and self-esteem. Many studies have shown that acne itself has a negative psychological impact. For example, severe acne has been shown to be associated with suicidal behaviour. If you have acne and feel depressed, anxious or suicidal, it is important to talk to your doctor about these feelings as soon as possible.
How is acne diagnosed?
Acne, the appearance of spots and blemishes on the face, neck, easily recognised by its distribution on the chest or back.
Can acne be treated?
Currently providing a cure for acne, There is no “cure” that ensures that not a single acne will ever appear again for life, but existing treatments can prevent the formation of new acne prevention and reduction of acne in a short time There are treatment options that help to control it by allowing it to heal by leaving scars.
How can acne be treated? What are the drugs used in acne treatment?
If you have acne but have not been successful with over-the-counter products, it isprobably time to visit your doctor. Ingeneral, most treatments take two to four months to show their maximum effect.
Acne treatments are divided into the following categories:
Topical treatments, i.e. those applied directly to the skin
Oral antibiotics, i.e. tablets taken by mouth
Oral contraceptive pills
Vitamin A derivative capsules
Other treatments (peeling, laser, radiofrequency applications)
Topical treatments
These are usually the first choice for those with mild to moderate acne. There are various active anti-acne agents such as benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics (e.g. erythromycin, tetracycline and clindamycin), retinoids (e.g. tretinoin, isotretinoin and adapalene), azelaic acid and nicotinamide (also known as niacinamide).
It should be applied to the entire affected area of the skin (for example, the entire face ) , notjust individual spots, usually every night or twice a day depending on the treatment.
Some topical treatments may irritate the skin, so it may be advisable to initially use the treatment on a small area of affected skin for a few applications before applying it to the entire affected skin. It may be advisable to gradually increase the use of the treatment, for example once or twice a week, gradually converting to regular daily use if tolerated. Consult your doctor if the treatment causes skin irritation.
Some topical treatments such as retinoids, can cause acne to worsen for several weeks before it heals.
Oral antibiotic treatment
Your doctor will usually prescribe a topical treatment, usually taken in conjunction with an appropriate topical treatment, may recommend a course of antibiotic tablets , usually azithromycin or a type of tetracycline.
Antibiotics must be taken for at least two months and are usually continue until there is further improvement. Typical treatment courses last three to six months. Some should not be taken with food or may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, therefore read the instructions carefully. It is also important to tell your doctor if you are planning a pregnancy, as some antibiotics cannot be takenif you are pregnant.
Oral contraceptive treatments (birth control medication)
Some forms of the oral contraceptive pill can help women with acne. The most effective one contains a hormone blocker that reduces the amount of oil produced by the skin. It usually takes at least three months for the benefits to show. Although not primarily taken for this reason, the pill also helps to prevent conception. Because it prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary), the pill may be less suitable for young teenage girls whose ovulation cycle is not well established. These tablets carry a small risk of blood clots, so you should tell your doctor if you have a history or family history of these. This is a greater risk for people who smoke, are overweight, are generally inactive or have a family history of blood clots.
Vitamin A derivative medicines
This one, is a highly effective treatment for severe or persistent acne and is a In those who complete the course of treatment , the continuation of well-being can be very long-lasting. However, has the potential to cause a number of serious side effects and can only be prescribed under the supervision of a dermatologist.
Most treatment courses last an average of six to eight months, during which time the skin, especially around the lips, often becomes dry. Regular application of a lip balm can help. Usually acne will get a little worse for a few weeks before improvement occurs. Healing is progressive over the course of treatment, so do not be disappointed if progress seems slow.
Retinoic acid-derived drugs can harm an unborn child. There are strict rules for doctors prescribing this medicine. Women must be enrolled in a pregnancy prevention programme and must have a negative pregnancy test before starting treatment. Pregnancy tests should be repeated every month during treatment and five weeks after completion of treatment. Effective contraception should be used at least four weeks before, during and for at least four weeks after treatment.
Since it was first approved for the treatment of acnein the 1980s, vitamin A derivative medicines used to treat acne can cause depression and Concerns have been expressed that it may cause suicidal feelings. These reports, It should be considered in the context of high rates of depression and suicide in acne patients regardless of treatment, This can therefore be complex. Regulatory agencies such as the FDA, clinicians, periodically reviews new data submitted by pharmacists and patients. To date , a causal link between treatment and psychiatric side effects has not been confirmed.
As a precaution, a personal or family history of low mood, depression or other mental illness should be disclosed to your dermatologist before considering systemic treatment and you may be asked to see a psychiatrist to determine if it is safe before starting any treatment. Informing close friends and family about your treatment provides an opportunity to report changes in your mood to your doctor without delay.
” Thousands of people have been affected by treatment withsystemic vitamin A derivative drugs. It should be emphasised that he has benefited without serious side effects.”
Other treatments
There are many light and laser treatments for inflammatory acne, but such treatments have had mixed results when studied and are often ineffective in treating severe acne. Laser resurfacing of facial skin to reduce scarring after acne is an established technique that requires the skills of an experienced laser surgeon.
Various other techniques can also be used to improve the appearance of acne scars. These include steroid injections, micro-needling and subcision, gold needle radiofrequency, Procedures such as TCA peeling, superficial filling applications are included.
Personal care (What can I do?)
Try not to pick or squeeze your pimples , as this often causes them to worsens and can cause scarring and infection.
If your self-confidence is affected by acne or you feel distressed, It is important that you reach out to others for support. This includes friends, family members and support groups. You canalso access a professional counsellor.
Let your dermatologist know if your acne makes you feel depressed or anxious. They will be able to talk to you about how you feel and, if necessary, refer you to psychologists or psychiatrists , such as They will help you create a treatment plan that other specialists can follow.
No matter how your acne affects you, It is important to take action to get it under control as soon as it occurs. This helps prevent permanent scarring and reduces embarrassment. Ifyour acne is mild, Substances such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can help in the first place. Your pharmacist will advise you.
Expect to use your treatments for at least two months before you see much improvement. Make sure you understand how to use them correctly to get the maximum benefit.
Some topical treatments may dry or irritate the skin when you start using them. If your face becomes red and irritated from a lotion or cream, stop the treatment for a few days and try using the treatment less often and then gradually increase it. Combining your treatment with a moisturiser containing a skin barrier aid such as non-comedogenic ceramide may improve your treatment tolerance.
Make-up can help your self-confidence. ” Non-comedogenic” (should not cause blackheads or whiteheads ) or choose products labelled as non-acnegenic (should not cause acne).
Cleanse your skin and remove make-up with a gentle cleanser and water or also remove it with a non-greasy soap substitute. Scrubbing too hard can irritate the skin and make your acne worse. Remember that blackheads are not caused by bad washing.
After consuminghigh GI foods or dairy products then consider whether there are more spots. If something seems to constantly trigger an attack, a few days, What happens if you don’t take that food or drink for a week or a month? Because it can lead tonutritional deficiencies, Talk to your doctor before permanently cutting any foods from your diet. Whilediet may play a role in the formation of your spots, Keeping your skin clean often requires more than a change in diet.
You can contact us to schedule an examination appointment and ask any questions you may have.
