Dr. Swetha T

One of the skin’s main functions is protection, and one of the ways it does that is by producing sebum. During teenage and early adolescent years, there is a release of excessive sexual hormones leading to excessive sebum production. This along with dead skin build up and bacteria clogs the pores, leading to accumulation of sebum within the skin layers and formation of blackheads, whiteheads and other forms of pimples. In people with naturally oily skin, this can be a major problem, as they may devlop larger and severe acne called nodulo cystic acne which may leave scars when healed. Mild gels or lotions like tretinoin and adapalene are useful in controlling acne.

Causes:

1. Hormonal disorder.
2. Other causes like touching our face without washing hands, using cosmetics not suitable for our skin type and comedogenic cosmetics, improper cleansing of brushes used for make up all agrravate acne and should be taken care of.
3. In girls, correlation with menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and polycystic ovaries,  indicating an association with increased hormone levels.

Management: As it is easy to identify if you are prone to developing acne, steps should be taken to avoid developing acne or reducing its severity once they appear.

1. Touching acne is a strict no-no. There is a great tendency to keep picking at it, but this should be avoided as the infection can spread to other unaffected areas.
2. Using a cold towel or soft cotton cloth can help in soothing the area
3. Ice cubes can also be used on the acne. This will also reduce blood supply and curtail increase in severity
4. Acne is proven to be an indication of stress, and so stress management is very essential.
5. Keep calm by various methods – meditation, music, yoga, exercise
6. A regular exercise routine also is very helpful. The sweating during the exercise helps in clearing up the pores and keeping the skin clean. Sebum is more often cleared out this way, leading to reduced acne
7. Lifestyle (sleep and diet): A healthy eating pattern with reduced oily foods and sugars and more amounts of fresh foods is highly helpful. A good amount of sleep is also beneficial for overall skin health.
8. Garments which come in touch with facial skin like pillow covers should be washed with gentle soap
9. Regular skin care routine should be maintained including frequent washing, regular moisturising, and periodic exfoliating.
10. Avoid too many chemicals and adhere to a regimen using as many natural substances as possible.
11. Mild gels or lotions like tretinoin, tazarotene, and adapalene are useful in controlling acne
12. Topical antibiotics like clindamycin or erythromycin combined with benzoyl peroxide may also be used if more severe
13. Birth control pills are also used to regulate hormonal levels in some women.
14. Scars can be treated with laser light therapy, dermabrasion, chemical peels, or steroid injections
15. Remember that acne is a part of growing up, and will naturally reduce after the growing years.

Visit your dermatologist to make sure that acne not severe as they can leave unsightly pigmentation and scars.

Acne is a troublesome condition not only when it is active, but even after it heals. This is because it leaves behind unpleasant scars and pigmentation. many young people affected by it get depressed due to the effects of severe acne and scarring. although chemical peels, medical management has all been proven effective for the treatment of acne, Laser therapy is the best-known way of dealing with these scars and pigmentation issues. It is a misconception that laser treatment is a new form of skin therapy.

The laser is being used to treat pigmentation scars since 1964, however, the procedures have evolved significantly and become much more improved and effective even in dark skinned induviduals.

How does laser therapy work?

Lasers direct intense amounts of monochromatic light at precise points on the skin. This light is emitted in short pulses. When this light hits the skin it heats the target melanin cells. The precision with which lasers direct this light ensures that surrounding cells are not affected.

By changing the amount of light, lasers can be used to address cells at varying depths of the skin and can also boost collagen production. this principle is made use of in its treatment for scarring. In most cases, lasers used to treat skin issues are carbon dioxide or argon lasers. These are known as CW lasers.

Laser therapy may be shortly pulsed or long pulsed. The difference between the two lies in the rest period between emitting bursts of light. The type of laser therapy used depends largely on the degree of scarring or hyperpigmentation.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Laser treatment

1. One of the biggest advantages of this form of therapy is its precision. Laser therapy does not affect the surrounding cells. It is also a bloodless form of therapy that does not require any hospitalization. As compared to other forms of skin therapy for scarring such a dermabrasion, laser therapy does not increase a person’s risk of infection. Also the overall texture of the skin is improved and generally patients are very happy with the results.
2. On the flip side, multiple sessions are required for results to be noticeable. In cases of scarring on dark skin, laser lights can wound the capillaries in the skin. As the skin in this area heals, it may become lighter than the surrounding skin, making home care extremely important and necessary. Laser treatment is also a little more expensive compared to other forms of therapy.
3. If you choose to undergo laser treatment to remove scars and pigmentation, it is important to have realistic expectations. Do not expect your skin to be perfect after the procedure. While there will be an improvement, do not assume that 100% of scarring will be removed.

Similar to blackheads are whiteheads, which develop on our skin. Both blackheads and whiteheads are caused due to clogged pores. However, as opposed to blackheads, whiteheads cannot be extracted. Whiteheads are a form of acne that is referred to as closed comedones. They appear on the skin as small round white-coloured bumps. When excess oil is secreted in the skin, oil along with dead skin cells clog the pore area and block the pore opening resulting in whitehead formation. Unlike blackheads that keep the pore open, whiteheads, on the other hand, keep the pores closed.

However, they may evolve into a pustule or other acne lesion when bacteria gets involved.

Causes of whiteheads
Clogged pores are the prime reason that causes whiteheads, and they can occur due to any of the following reasons:

• Excessive oil secretion or sebum
• Hormonal changes occurring due to puberty, pregnancy, and menstruation
• Birth control pills
• Sweating and humidity
• Use of certain cosmetics or products that are harmful
• Eating excessive oily or greasy foods
• Genetic predisposition

Treatment of whiteheads

With extreme conditions, oral medications like isotretinoin may be prescribed, but these come with potential side effects. Here are some remedies you can try to get rid of whiteheads: Tea tree oil: Dab a cotton swab with tea tree oil and apply it on the whiteheads to prevent bacterial infection.

Self-care tips 
Practising some of the following preventive self-care measures will prevent the formation of whiteheads:

• Wash your skin twice daily with lukewarm water and mild soap.
• Don’t squeeze pimples.
• Practice caution while shaving.
• Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight.
• Use oil-free skin products.
• Remove makeup before going to bed.
• Opt for non-comedogenic or non-pore-clogging products.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing made of non-synthetic fabrics to let your skin breathe.
• Wash your hair regularly.
• Change of pillow covers periodically is essential as oil and dirt may accumulate in the covers.

Here are some remedies you can try to get rid of whiteheads:

The above are just some measures to avoid whiteheads. If the problem persists, then it's time to seek medical assistance and schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to eradicate these pesky whiteheads.

Mesotherapy is a hair growing technique that is non-invasive. Superficial micro-injections are made below the epidermis of the skin to specific tissues. The term meso has originated from mesoderm which is the second or middle layer of the skin. This treatment can successfully trigger the mesoderm thereby relieving an array of ailments and symptoms. The injected solution is a combination of co-enzymes, amino acids, minerals and vitamins. The solution is tailored to suit each patient’s condition and their treatment plan.

How is mesotherapy used for hair regrowth?
Mesotherapy is used around the world for successful hair regrowth. It is a painless procedure when performed by an expert. Local anesthesia and dressing are not required for this procedure. Some of the broad objectives that could be achieved via this procedure include the regrowth of hair follicle, neutralization of excess dihydrotestosterone and the stimulation of blood circulation around the skull area.

Highlights of the mesotherapy procedure:
This procedure involves the application of both chemical and physical stimulation. A small dose of a variety of medications is administered by a hair expert in certain areas of the skull. The dosage and the area of administration would be decided based on the condition of the person getting treated. The solution acts like a bullet and targets the specific areas of the skull.

• Mechanical: A needle is used to create a microspore into the skull. This helps to create elastin and collagen- the two most important ingredients for hair growth. This process doesn’t interfere with the hair already present but ensures the growth of new hair follicles.
• Chemical: A chemical solution is injected into the skull to stimulate hair growth. This solution helps in improving the blood circulation, reducing inflammation and increasing collagen and elastin. The composition of the solution is made based on the specific issues of each patient and therefore varies between patients.

Duration of the treatment:
Each session of mesotherapy lasts for around 10 to 30 minutes. The timing is purely based on the surface area of the skull that is being treated. On an average, it requires around 10-12 sittings or sessions with an expert to stimulate hair growth. To start with, an intensive treatment plan is required for the first couple of months to see visible results. Once the patient starts responding to the treatment, the frequency of treatment gradually decreases. To ensure that the hair grows naturally and there is no hair fall after the treatment is complete, a maintenance treatment might be necessary every quarter.

Price involved:
The price of the treatment is dependant on the number of sessions required to stimulate hair growth. Some experts also charge based on the extent of hair fall and the chances of hair revival. There are experts who charge on an hourly basis as well. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

What is PRP?

Platelet rich plasma. Plasma is a component of blood that contains special “factors,” or proteins, that help blood to clot. It also contains proteins that support cell growth. Researchers have produced PRP by isolating plasma from blood and concentrating it.

How does prp work?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) works by promoting wound healing, it activates platelet granules which then releases numerous growth factors. It is proposed that growth factors released from platelets when injected into scalp may act on stem cells in the bulge area of the hair follicles, stimulating the development of new follicles.

Who is it beneficial for?

For those with thinning of hair, wide hair partition line especially in women, visible scalp in both men and women and for more volume and strengthening of the hair follicles in general. Apart from its uses in hair it is also used for facial rejuvenation and it gives excellent result. It is well known in the commercial market as vampire face lift and is a big hit among celebrities.

Benefits:

1. It is a progressive healing treatment that doesn't require surgery.
2. Simple, rapid and highly effective system.
3. Autologous (from patient's own blood).
4. The system is biocompatible and xeno-free, so there shouldn't be any safety concerns.
5. Increase in the concentration of platelets can be observed.
6. It helps in the elimination of undesired erythrocytes, which significantly decrease the fibroblast proliferation.
7. Contains growth factors that help in the stimulation of growth of the hair follicles.
8. Can be performed preoperatively, intraoperatively, or post operatively.

The Science of PRP 
There are special cells called platelets used in PRP, that have been theoretically proved to stimulate hair follicles growth by stimulating stem cells and other important cells in the ecosystem of the follicles. They are instrumental in promoting the healing ability and regeneration of cells, formation of new cells and response to injury. PRP stimulates inactive or newly implanted hair follicles, and makes them active by inducing them into a growth phase.

Platelets are known to contain various structures, which are crucial for blood clotting and cell regeneration, and are released during the repair process by the body. Some of these structures are: glycogen, alpha granules and lysosomes.

Who should not go for PRP Treatment?

Those with heavy drug and smoking issue should avoid PRP. Also those who drink a lot of alcohol should avoid PRP. Those suffering from platelets related ailments, sepsis, chronic liver disease, thrombocytopenia, hyperfibrinogenemia, systemic disorders and cancer should also stay away from PRP.

Conclusion
At length, PRP is a boon for all those who aren't fans of surgery or the ones who prefer a more aggressive but non-surgical approach for treatment to their ailments. The results might vary from patient to patient, but it is certainly one of the most promising technologies to stimulate hair growth and rejuvenate your skin, and the results are quite convincing. So decide wisely! In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!