Acne (also known as pimples or zits) is one of the most common skin problems seen in a dermatology clinic. It is both a medical problem and a cosmetic problem that often leads to psychological distress.
Acne starts when the oil glands or sebaceous glands get clogged underneath the skin. Dead skin cells, bacteria, dirt, and oil become clogged, and outbreaks of pimples can happen. Mostly the outbreaks occur on the face but are also seen on the chest, shoulders, and back. Acne can be extremely painful when it is severe (especially cystic or pus-filled).
Acne is recognised as both a physiological & psychological problem that requires timely treatment to avoid unsightly scars on the skin and the patient’s mind. Acne and acne scars can be treated with great success by an experienced dermatologist. Medical treatment with creams, tablets, face washes, etc., along with advanced treatments like lasers and chemical peels, and lifestyle (including diet) modifications are suggested to provide a holistic solution for acne or pimples.
Dr. Rajdeep Mysore practicing at Charma Clinic, is one of the best dermatologists, who can successfully help diagnose the causes of acne and offer the most suitable treatment accordingly. He explains that there are glands called sebaceous in our skin that produce an oily substance called sebum. These sebaceous glands grow big under the influence of male hormones like testosterone and DHT.
The common causes for breakouts are as follows:
Those suffering from acne or pimples and looking for an acne specialist doctor in Bangalore can consider meeting Dr. Mysore at Charma Clinic.
How is the severity of acne assessed?
Depending on the grade of inflammation, acne is graded into four grades.
1. Non-inflammatory acne
This type of acne does not cause swelling. Blackhead and whitehead mainly come under non-inflammatory acne.
Blackheads occur when a pore gets clogged with sebum and dead skin cells. While the major part of the pore is clogged, the top still stays open so it is also referred to as open comedones. It results in the characteristic black color seen on the surface of the skin.
Whiteheads are closed comedones. These are also formed when the pore gets blocked with sebum and dead skin cells. The top of the pore closes up, unlike with blackheads. It feels like a small bump protruding from the skin. As the pores are already closed, whiteheads are more difficult to treat.
2. Inflammatory Acne
Bacteria is one of the main reasons for inflammatory acne for clogged pores apart from dead skin cells and sebum. Bacteria play a role in clogging pores even though sebum and dead skin cells contribute to inflammatory acne. They can also cause an infection deep beneath the skin’s surface. Inflammatory acne causes inflammation and swelling, and they are categorized as:
When the walls surrounding the pores break down from severe inflammation, papules occur. It results in hard and clogged pores that are tender to the touch. The skin around these pores is usually pink.
When the walls around the pores break down, abscesses can form. Pustules are typically filled with pus, unlike pimples. They appear red and often have yellow or whiteheads on top of the skin.
When clogged, swollen pores endure further irritation and grow larger, nodules occur. Nodules are deeper underneath the skin, unlike pustules and papules. Nodules cannot be treated at home because nodules are so deep within the skin.
The largest form of acne is cysts, and their formation usually results from a severe infection. This type of acne is likely to scar and form when the skin pores are blocked by bacteria, sebum, and dead skin cells. The characteristic feature of this type of clogging is that these occur deep within the skin, further below the surface than nodules. These large red or white bumps are often painful to touch.
1. Topical creams & Medication
The most common treatment advised for acne is medical treatment with creams and tablets containing antibiotics and retinoids along with oil-removing cleansers. Treatment modification is needed in special conditions like pregnancy.
Procedures like peels, lasers, IPL, etc., are done in cases resistant to medical treatment or those who want to avoid certain types of oral medication. In some cases, acne is associated with other hormonal changes like irregular periods, increased weight, facial hair growth in women. In such cases, hormonal treatment is needed and may need a consultation with an endocrinologist. Acne treatment also includes the treatment of scars and marks caused by acne. Procedures are often needed along with medical treatments to reduce scarring and marks.
2. Chemical Peel
Chemical peels can be used to treat not only a variety of skin problems but can also be done on normal skin to improve its appearance. The word chemical causes fear in many people as they are scared it will damage their skin. A chemical peel causes controlled damage to the skin using certain mild acids that cause peeling or exfoliation. The normal skin peels or exfoliates very slowly, and the peel speeds up this natural process. It is important to know what peel to use on what type of skin to give good results without damaging the skin.
Superficial combination peels are the commonest peels in most clinics because they provide the desired results without causing visible skin damage. The recovery time from these peels is also very low. Combination peels use a lower concentration of multiple acids to reduce the damage caused to the skin while improving it better than a single ingredient peel. Peels are repeated once in 2-4 weeks. Most patients require six sessions for good acne control.
Peels are also used in melasma, dull skin, oily skin, open pores, uneven skin tone, scar improvement, etc. The type of peels used varies depending on the skin type and condition to be treated. Most acids used in peels are organic acids like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, phenol, trichloroacetic acid, etc. Some peels are boosted with certain vitamins or bioactive compounds like ferulic acid, ascorbic acid, and tranexamic acid, which can penetrate deeper into the skin than when applied like a cream. To get the best Acne Peel treatment in Bangalore for managing acne, visit Charma Clinic.
3. LASER and Light-Based Devices
Lasers are used in a variety of skin problems. The most common laser used in dermatology is a hair removal laser. In acne, three different types of light-based devices are used. Lasers are used mainly to treat pigmentation due to acne. However, they can also be used to reduce the redness associated with acne. At Charma Clinic, Laser Acne Treatment in Bangalore is provided by experts using world-class lasers that help to effectively manage acne skin conditions and rejuvenate the skin by boozing collagen production.
IPL is another light-based device similar to a laser that reduces redness and active red pimples. It acts by targeting a pigment called porphyrin, which is produced by the bacteria infecting the pimples. The energy from the light is absorbed by the porphyrin pigment, which destroys the bacteria. The light is also absorbed by small blood vessels feeding the pimples and helps reduce the active pimples much quicker. It also helps in limiting the inflammation and subsequent scarring associated with it.
Different types of lasers are also used to treat scars due to acne. Non-ablative lasers are used when the patient cannot afford downtime or miss any days from work after each session. However, fractional ablative lasers give the best results.
New technology available for scar treatment is called micro-needling fractional RF or MNRF and works similar to fractional ablative lasers but has lesser downtime.
At Charma Clinic, Acne Treatment in Bangalore is provided at an affordable cost by experts using the best treatment and techniques to deliver reliable outcomes.
Tips To Prevent Acne:
Myths related to acne!
It is ironic that despite being a common skin problem there are so many myths related to acne. The misinformation about acne and its treatments result in severity of the condition.
People who believe this tend to wash their face repeatedly that further causes skin irritation and aggravates acne. Washing your face 2 times a day with a gentle cleanser is sufficient. Just avoid touching your face too frequently as bacteria can be transferred from your hands to your face.
Though acne is a normal physiological process, it causes a lot of stress and discomfort to people who are already stressed and uncomfortable due to the changes happening in their bodies. It is beneficial to opt for medical treatment as it helps find relief from acne and minimises the chances of future acne breakouts and acne scars. Consultation with a dermatologist at a young age can also teach young adults and adolescents the importance of a regular skin care regimen for long term management.
Acne can be seen in infants (due to the transfer of mother’s hormones), older people even beyond the age of 30 and is more common but not restricted to young adults and teenagers. Severe acne, especially the nodulocystic variety, can cause painful boils, bleeding, severe scarring and it is often persistent. With the right treatment, severe acne can be controlled in 6 months to 1 year and avoid these painful sequelae.
It is one of the biggest myths and can cause more damage to the skin. While some home remedies like face packs, green tea, or neem extracts can help reduce oiliness and acne, harsh chemicals in garlic and toothpaste can cause severe chemical burns causing worse scars than acne itself. Treatment of chemical burns due to these experimental home remedies is also a part of a regular dermatology practice.
Steroids are hormones produced by the human body to be able to handle stressful conditions. They are used as medication in various diseases where inflammation causes damage to the body. Steroids are not used regularly in treating acne and are rarely used for a very short duration (5 to 20 days) to overcome severe inflammation in Grade 4 acne. The use of steroid creams, although temporarily reducing acne, is one of the leading causes of acne in people self-medicating themselves from their local chemists. Several steroid-containing creams are dispensed by local chemists as fairness products or to reduce acne and end causing steroid addiction patients, damaging their skin and causing severe skin damage, including acne. Steroids given for other diseases like asthma or severe inflammatory conditions can also cause breakouts similar to acne.
At Charma Clinic, a leading Skin Clinic in Bangalore, the dermatologist first diagnoses the root cause of the condition causing acne and then advises a suitable treatment plan to help one achieve acne-free skin. Treatment at the clinic is also customized based on an individual skin type and requirement.
To get the Best Acne Pimple Treatment in Bangalore, please feel free to contact us.
The word Charma means skin in Sanskrit and other Indian languages. Charma was conceptualised in the summer of 2013 as a centre to treat dermatological problems. It was started in Chirag Hospital, a small nursing home in South Bengaluru.
Disclaimer: This website (www.charmaclinic.com) aims to spread awareness about skin, hair, nail problems and their relevant treatments. The information shared here is generic in nature and can not replace the advice/ prescription of a qualified medical professional. Every individual may have different skin, hair, nail concerns and must be treated accordingly. Hence, medications or treatments mentioned on the website shall not be consumed/ utilized unless prescribed by a certified medical professional.
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