As a Dermatologist in private practice for several years, it breaks my
heart every time I see a young girl or boy with scars due to acne. The
scars undermine their self confidence and self esteem and sometimes also
reduce their performance in life (academics and work). I often see many
teenagers and young adults with severe acne, very often under treated
for fear of side effects of medications. What one forgets is that the
side effects of not treating the pimples i.e. the scars are much more
disastrous and have a lasting impact on the individual.
I prefer to treat acne early and
aggressively as this gives one the best chance of a scar free face. Acne
is not a simple problem, it can be quite a tricky issue and needs a
detailed assessment of the individuals skin type, the kind of pimples,
the lifestyle being followed and the skin care routine. Some people may
also need to get some blood tests and ultrasound to rule out an
underlying hormone imbalance.
Based upon all the above the management may include one or more of the following.
Cleanser: depending upon
the extent of oiliness of the face and the other medication which is
going to be given, we may recommend either a pH neutral cleanser or a
salicylic acid based cleanser to be used 2 times a day. Cleansing should
be done with either lukewarm water or cold water. Hot water should be
avoided. Frequent cleansing of the face should also be avoided.
Medicated Creams:
Depending upon the type of pimples, we may prescribe some medicated
creams. Most people usually get a cream to be used overnight which
unplugs the acne and helps it drain out freely on the skin surface. In
addition, we may prescribe an antibiotic cream to be used during the day
if one has red, angry looking pimples.
Tablets: Oral
antibiotics may be used with benefit in some people. They need to be
used over a long duration to be effective. They are usually a safe
option with very few side effects. Some people may get prescribed
hormonal supplements especially if they have a hormonal imbalance.
Another very commonly used medication is a synthetic analogue of Vitamin
A. This is a very effective medication but may have some side effects
and hence needs to be used cautiously and under medical supervision. For
the right candidate, this is the most effective medication to reduce
the chances of scars.
Chemical peels: We
usually combine them with other acne treatments like medicated creams or
tablets to drain out the pimples early and minimize the chances of
scarring.
LASER: We use the
Intense Pulsed Light. This is very effective in killing the bacteria
responsible for pimples. It is also very effective in people who have
some redness after the acne has cleared.
These are the various skin treatment
options. We usually combine these with lifestyle advise for optimal
benefit. To summaries, Get your acne treated early and effectively to
reduce the chances of scars and the pain associated with a scarred face.
