Acne Vulgaris
Introduction
Acne vulgaris, or the more common “zits”, “pimples,” or “breakouts”, is the most common skin disorder and is brought on by clogged skin pores. About 85% of young adults are affected by acne at some point during their teenage years. Acne can cause long-lasting scarring, a poor sense of oneself, depression, and anxiety. Oil glands exist all over your body. The typical locations of acne are where oil glands exist the most, like your: Cheeks, nose, jawline, Forehead, Chest, Shoulders, and Upper back. Acne can also be classified into four grades:–
- Grade 1: Comedones.
- Grade 2: Erythematous tiny papules characterise inflammatory lesions.
- Grade 3: Pustules.
- Grade 4: Numerous pustules combine to create cysts and nodules.
Pathophysiology
Acne is a common condition that affects teenagers and young adults and can occasionally persist into adulthood. This skin disorder affects the Pilosebaceous gland, which includes the hair follicle and related oil ducts. A dermatologist will usually examine the skin and search for blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and cysts to diagnose acne. Your medical background, including any medicines you are taking and any prior skin conditions, may also be brought up. Sometimes, the dermatologist may carry out additional tests to clear out other skin conditions, like rosacea or folliculitis, that can mimic acne. Treatment choices can include topical or oral medications, lifestyle changes, or other therapies, depending on the severity of the acne.
Signs and Symptoms
Acne signs vary depending on the severity of your condition:
- Closed and Plugged pores causes whiteheads.
- Blackheads are caused when plugged pores open to the surface and darken.
- Small erythematous, tender bumps (papules)
- Pimples (pustules), bumps filled with pus.
- Large, painful, solid lumps under the skin (nodules)
- Tender pus-filled lumps under the skin (cystic acne)
How do Dermatologists treat Acne?
During a physical examination, skilled dermatologists at CosMediQ can identify acne by keeping an eye out for the aforementioned widespread signs and symptoms. They may record a detailed family and medical history and lifestyle choices and offer blood tests to find any hormone imbalances as a part of their holistic approach. A personalised treatment plan is suggested based on the underlying cause, type of acne, and severity of your scars. They may suggest a combination therapy to target different aspects of acne pathogenesis.
1) Topical Therapy
- Skin retinoids, such as retinoic acid, adapalene, and tretinoin, may be suggested alone or in combination with benzoyl peroxide or other skin antibiotics.
- Beta hydroxy acids, such as salicylic acid, can be suggested as a topical gel or chemically as a 10% to 20% peel to treat comedones, seborrhea, and discolouration after acne has healed.
2) Oral Medication
- Doxycycline / Minocycline has both antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties, and they may be suggested to reduce acne breakouts and inflammation.
- Isotretinoin may modulate sebum production and control epidermal hyperproliferation and inflammation.
- For severe recurrent acne or Hormonal Acne in females – oral contraceptive pills or anti-androgens like spironolactone may be recommended.
3) Anti-Acne Therapies
When you have a severe acne or scars, our dermatologists may recommend the following acne therapies to clear your skin.
- Intra Lesional Steroids – given into large nodules to reduce inflammation.
- Chemical Peels – Our Anti Acne peel is a crowd favourite. Chemical peels remove the top layer of dead cells from your skin. The underlying newly formed layer of skin is smoother and can lessen the appearance of scars.
- Comedone Extraction – our dermatologists use specialised tools to extract blackheads and whiteheads in a sterile environment.
- LASERS – LASER delivers heat to the scarred collagen under your skin. This stimulates your body’s wound-healing mechanism to produce new and healthy collagen, thereby reducing acne scars.
