Acne

What is acne and who gets it?
Acne is disease of hair follicule and sebaceous gland and may occur in people between 10 and 40; however, it is more commom in teenagers and in people in their early 20s. Acne usually affects the face but may also affect the back, neck, and chest. The severity can range from mild to severe. About 9 in 10 teenagers develop some degree of acne. It is estimated that about 3 in 10 teenagers have acne bad enough to need treatment to prevent scarring. Untreated acne usually lasts about 4-5 years before settling. However, it can last for many years in some cases.

What causes acne?
Increased sebum production, blocked pores and bacteria called P.acnes cause acne.

Are acne genetic?
Children whose parents had acne are more prone to acne themselves.

Does acne leave scars?
Moderate to severe cases of acne if not treated on time are more likely to leave scars. Red or pink spots that appear as acne are healing fade away with time.

What are treatment options for acne?
The aim of treatment is to clear acne as much as possible, and to prevent scarring. There are different types of treatment that work in different ways. Our dermatologist will advise a treatment that will often depend on the severity and type of your acne. Treatment options for acne are:
1. Topical treatment (keratolytics, antibiotics)
2. Systemic treatment (antibiotics, isotretinoin- Roaccutane®)
3. Laser acne removal
4. Chemical peels
5. Intralesional corticosteroid injections
6. Diamond microdermabrasion
7. Comedo extraction (removal of black and white heads with a comedone extractor)

When to treat acne?
You may prefer not to treat mild acne which is not inflamed - that is, if you just have blackheads, whiteheads and mild pimples. Mild acne is common, and usually goes in time without scarring. However, inflamed acne can scar. If you develop inflammation (redness, red spots, pustules, nodules, cysts) then it is best to treat early to prevent scarring.


Recommendation:

Make an appointment for a consultation with our dermatologist to get advise on acne treatments. Make an appointment