Acne is a nightmare for so many people, especially young teenagers entering puberty. Adults can also face acne although not very severe but it can be a nuisance for adults who are busy and working.

There’s no denying that acne can contribute to emotional distress. Acne and acne scars on your face and other visible body locations can affect self-esteem and self-confidence, and they can even contribute to feelings of anxiety or depression.

In this article, Dr. Harikiran Chekuri, from Redefine Clinic is one of the best plastic surgeon in Hyderabad, and he will be discussing acne and its causes, treatment and prevention.

Read on more to know more, 

What is acne?

Acne is a common skin disorder in young teenagers and adults. Acne is an inflammatory disorder of the skin. 

While acne doesn’t pose a serious risk to your overall health, it can still be painful, particularly if you have severe acne. Over time, acne might also cause scarring.

Types of acne

There are different types of acne which includes,

• Blackheads: Blackheads are open pores that get filled with excess oil and dirt. The black dot you see is not dirt, so don’t scratch it.
• Whitehead: or closed comedones, form as raised bumps under the surface of your skin. They remain flesh-colored.
• Papules: These small, red, raised bumps are caused by inflamed or infected hair follicles. Papules are often called skin lesions, essentially changes in your skin’s color or texture.
• Pustules: These small red pimples have pus at their tips. Areas of the skin with the largest number of functional oil glands, such as the face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders, are often affected. Overproduction of oil and a build-up of bacteria contribute to pimples.
• Nodules: These solid, often painful lumps develop beneath the surface of your skin. Nodular acne is a severe type of acne that can lead to painful, swollen pimples and scarring.
• Cysts: These large lumps beneath your skin contain pus and are usually painful. 

What causes acne?

Acne happens when the pores on the skin’s surface get clogged with dirt, excess oil, and bacteria. 

Each pore opens up to a follicle. The follicle comprises hair and an oil (sebaceous) gland. The oil gland releases sebum(an oily secretion); this secretion of oil travels up the hair, out of the pore, and onto your skin. This secretion called sebum keeps your skin moisturized and soft.

Acne can happen due to the following reasons:

• Your follicles produce too much oil
• Dead skin cells accumulate in the pores
• When bacteria builds up in your pores

The risk factors contributing to acne: Dr. Harikiran Chekuri says that some risks can worsen acne:

• Hormonal changes due to pregnancy or puberty: Hormonal acne refers to breakouts due to hormone fluctuations, particularly a rise in androgens such as testosterone.
• PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome): Women with PCOS often suffer from acne and oily skin as a manifestation of hormonal imbalance.
• Smoking: Cigarette smoking can lead to a non-inflammatory form of acne called atypical post-adolescent acne (APAA), or simply “smoker’s acne.”
• Poor sleep: poor sleep causes stress in the body; this can spike cortisol. Spiked cortisol can lead to inflammation and increased sebum production, resulting in clogged pores and breakouts. Dr. Harikiran Chekuri, From Redefine clinic provides one of the best plastic surgery in India. People think the acne stage gets over after the teenage years, but that’s not true. Acne can also happen during our adulthood. Some of the reasons include,  
• Hairstyling products: styling products seep oil into the forehead that can trap acne-causing bacteria in the pores. 
• Facial hair removal: Facial hair removal can cause acne: products like razors, blades, and waxing can cause inflammation on the skin leading to breakouts.
• Using extreme skincare: continuously switching products and using different kinds of products all at once 
• Makeup: After a long day, makeup, oil, and dirt build-up. This triple threat can easily clog your pores, trapping acne-causing bacteria and triggering breakouts.
• Traveling: environmental changes such as sun, heat, and humidity can trigger acne.
• Cell phones: cell phones can cause acne due to continuous friction between the phone and your face. 

Acne treatment

Acne treatments reduce sebum production, cure bacterial infections, and/or reduce swelling. Results from prescription acne medications could take four to eight weeks to appear. Your acne may not clear up for several months or even years, says Dr. Harikiran Chekuri, one of  the best plastic surgeon in Hyderabad.

Depending on your age, the type and severity of your acne, and how much work you’re prepared to put in, your doctor will propose a treatment plan. For several weeks, you might need to wash and medicate the afflicted area twice a day. Combinations of oral medicines and topical treatments are frequently employed. Due to the possibility of adverse effects, pregnant women’s treatment options are constrained.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of any drugs or other therapies you are considering with your doctor. And until your skin gets better, schedule follow-up visits with your doctor every three to six months. If you are residing in Hyderabad and  want to get a skin check-up then you can visit Redefine clinic.

Topical medications

• Retinoids: Retinoid pills treat oil production, bacteria that cause acne, and inflammation. A retinoid may help if other therapies haven’t improved your moderate to severe acne. Retinoids can open up pores when applied to the skin, which improves the effectiveness of other prescription creams and gels.  Avoiding the blockage of pores with dead cells also lessens acne outbreaks. They may lessen the development of acne scars by cleaning up pimples and minimizing breakouts. Examples include tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A, others), adapalene (Differin), and tazarotene (Tazorac, Avage, others)
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics work by killing excess skin bacteria and reducing redness and inflammation. For the first few months of treatment, you may use both a retinoid and an antibiotic, with the antibiotic applied in the morning and the retinoid in the evening. Examples include clindamycin with benzoyl peroxide (Benzaclin, Duac, others) and erythromycin with benzoyl peroxide (Benzamycin).
• Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid may help prevent clogged hair follicles and is available as wash-off and leave-on products. Studies showing its effectiveness are limited. Side effects include skin discoloration and minor skin irritation.
• Azelaic acid: Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid produced by yeast. It has antibacterial properties. A 20% azelaic acid cream or gel seems to be as effective as many conventional acne treatments when used twice daily.

Acne home remedies:

Based on what suits your skin, you may try the following home remedies:

• Apply tea tree oil
• Apply aloe vera
• Use honey mask
• Don’t squeeze or pick pimples.

Preventing Acne

Dr. Harikiran Chekuri, one of the best plastic surgeon in Hyderabad, suggests some ways to prevent the occurrence of acne in the future.

Some of his tips include the following:

• Use an oil-free cleanser to wash your face every day.
• To help get rid of extra oil, try an over-the-counter acne cleanser.
• Use water-based or ” non comedogenic ” products; these products are less prone to clog your pores.
• Avoid oil-based skincare and cosmetics products.
• Before going to bed, make sure to wash your face thoroughly.
• After working out, take a shower or wash your face.
• To keep long hair out of your face, tie it back.
• Avoid wearing headbands, tight-fitting clothing, and headgear that hide breakout-prone regions.
• Eat a healthy diet, and drink plenty of water.
• Take action to lessen your stress.