Acne/Pimples - Symptom, Treatment And Causes

Your skin is constantly exposed to harsh environmental factors. Over a course of time, the pollution and with the harmful effects of the UV rays of the sun can wreak havoc on the skin.

To combat such skin problems, several skin treatments are available. One such treatment option is microdermabrasion which helps in eliminating skin damages ranging from fine lines and wrinkles to acne scars to unwanted pigmentation.

Understanding microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a common non-chemical and non-invasive treatment in which microcrystals are sprayed for removal of the outermost layer of dry and dead skin cells. The procedure aids in the production of the underlying layer of the skin cells with high levels of elastin and collagen so that the overall appearance of the skin is improved. Thus, your skin looks brighter and younger, brimming with health.
Skin problems that can be treated with Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion can effectively treat the following skin conditions

1. Fine lines and wrinkles in the facial area
2. Age Spots
3. Sun damage
4. Uneven pigmentation
5. Issues with skin texture
6. Minor scars

Also, the treatment is suggested for patients with acne or rosacea as the gentle spraying of microcrystals can help in dealing with the skin imperfections effectively. This is primarily achieved by removing the upper layer of the skin to allow the new and damage-free skin to manifest itself.

The process of microdermabrasion
During the microdermabrasion process, the expert dermatologist directs a fine stream of tiny aluminum oxide crystals with the help of a handpiece placed against the facial skin. The function of these crystals is to exfoliate the skin while the mild suction brought about by the microdermabrasion helps in removal of the crystals along with the debris of the skin.

How many sessions are required?
Numerous sessions of microdermabrasion may be required for the production of thicker and healthier layers of the skin with high levels of collagen as well as elastin. Both these crucial components of the skin are necessary for bringing out the healthy skin. One may need around 5 to 12 sessions of the treatment spaced at two or three weeks intervals in order to get the desired results.

Is it painful?
Microdermabrasion is a virtually painless procedure and takes only between 30 minutes or an hour an hour for each session which makes it one of the most convenient skin treatments.

Post-treatment care tips
After the treatment, the newly emerging layer of skin is typically more sensitive. 

• Use sunscreen to protect from the sun.
• Apply moisturizer

Thus, if you are looking for an effective treatment to address skin problems due to pollution and aging, Microdermabrasion can be considered. With this treatment, it becomes effortless to reveal the younger-looking fresh skin that you have been longing for.

Acne scars are caused when a pimple or cyst is popped and broken leaving a layer of damaged skin behind. These scars are caused by the excess oil, dead skin, and bacteria blocking the skin pores causing it to swell.

Acne scars can be categorized into three types:

1. Ice Pick scars which are small but have deep pits.
2. Boxcar scars have sharp edges, these can be shallow or deep
3. Rolling scar have a wavy look as they are wide and shallow. This type of scarring is usually caused by damage to the skin.

Causes of acne scars
Acne and acne scars can be caused due to the following reasons:

1. Hormonal imbalance during or after the onset of puberty
2. Medicines that contains lithium, androgen or corticosteroids
3. Oil and greasy food items and those rich in carbohydrates can trigger acne. In some cases, dairy products can worsen the condition.

Simple tips to prevent scarring
Some acne scars fade with time. In the early stages, the scars might look pink as blood vessels in the damaged area of the skin provide it with nourishment. With time the collagen in the skin would fill the injured or damaged portion of the skin. In some cases, it might take up to a year for scars to fade.

1. Don’t pick or squeeze pimples or acne as they can get inflamed. This inflammation can cause the bacteria to go further into the skin which would result in deeper scars.
2. Use mild cosmetic products as some products can increase the risk of acne and scarring. Non-toxic, paraben-free products free from synthetic dyes and colours should be used sparingly.
3. Getting enough sleep is important and necessary for the body to produce collagen which is a protein necessary for skin elasticity. Sleep also helps the body and skin to repair itself.

Treatment of acne scars
Mild acne can be treated with simple home remedies such as the use of fenugreek extract and lemon juice. Face packs made from sandalwood and orange peel are also very effective in reducing acne scars. But in some extreme cases, you might need proper treatment at a hospital. Most of these treatments can be performed as an outpatient procedure. Some of them are:

1. Skin resurfacing: where the damaged skin is removed to help new skin to grow. The damaged skin can be removed by the use of a laser, dermabrasion or a chemical peel.
2. Fillers: In this procedure, the doctor would inject a filler such as a collagen or fat into the damaged area. This helps the skin to become smooth.
3. Rolling: Rolling also known as needling, is a procedure where tiny needles are rolled over the skin to stimulate it to grow
4. Surgery: In a few very extreme cases the scars would need to be cut away and the area repaired with the use of skin grafts obtained from another part of the body.

Any scars and especially acne scars can be unsightly. A skin doctor or dermatologist would help you choose the right treatment plan depending on the type of damage done to the skin.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

The first thing a person notices about you is the skin. So, while a person with clear skin feels good and confident, a person with acne marks can be bothered about it and feel embarrassed. This is a common finding especially among teenagers who are very conscious about how their looks.

Given the hormonal changes that they are going through, adolescents are most affected by acne. Not just cosmetically, it also affects them emotionally. Those with oily skin, poor food choices with oily and greasy foods, and poor exercise are more prone to acne.

Types of acne: Acne are classified on a different basis, as below.

1. Whiteheads of blackheads, nodules or cysts – based on appearance
2. Mild, moderate, or severe – based on severity
3. Acute or chronic - based on periodicity

There could be a combination like chronic blackheads, which most people suffer even well into their 30s. Similarly, acute nodular or chronic cystic forms are also seen.

Treatment: Acne can be treated using topical and systemic methods depending on the condition.
Diet changes, skin care methods, topical anti-acne creams, and even systemic measures can be used. Most commonly used products are retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and antibiotics like tetracycline and clindamycin.

General Tips:

1. Limit exposure to the sun and use protection with sunscreen, hat, scarf, and sunglasses
2. Avoid use of chemicals on the skin including creams, lotions, deodorants, etc.
3. Use safer peels and scrubs like fruits and vegetables
4. Reduce oil in food, and avoid junk food
5. Increase water intake to improve skin hydration

A more serious issue with severe acne, acute/chronic, is the marks they leave behind. There could be people who are severely affected cosmetically and require scar removal. Some of the options they have are listed below.

1. Laser: Acne marks are darker than the rest of the skin, and so a beam of the laser is targeted at this tissue to get rid of the darker tissue. The laser also tends to reduce further acne attacks by reducing bacteria contained in the skin.
2. Micro-needling: The underlying layers of the skin contain collagen, which can be boosted to generate more healthy skin cells. Through tiny needles, micro fat cells are injected into the skin, which improves skin quality.
3. Photofacials: Another way to stimulate the collagen is to apply a heated probe to the inner layers of the skin. The outer layer of the skin is simultaneously cooled. Skin regeneration happens, leading to scar removal.
4. Injectable fillers: Chemicals like retinoids and micro fat are injected into the skin, which promotes collagen formation and new skin regeneration.

So, though acne and acne scars are common problems, there are definitely solutions available.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions that afflict people. Usually starting around adolescence, it mostly affects younger adults, although they can be found in older adults as well. Acne occurs when the follicles of hair get blocked due to the accumulation of dead skin cells and excess oil production from the sebum glands. These areas then become inflamed, causing a reddish bump which can be unsightly in appearance.

Treatment options

There are multiple treatment options for acne, ranging from oral pills which control hormone levels, to peels and washes. Home remedies which use easily available ingredients are also fairly popular. There are other more modern means such as laser and oxygen treatment which are effective as well. Another commonly employed treatment for acne scars is dermabrasion, which is very effective as well.

What is dermabrasion?

Dermabrasion is a process which involves wearing away the outermost layer of skin through the use of rollers and abrasive devices. The outer layer of skin is the area which contains all the acne scars as well as blemishes and by removing it carefully, dermabrasion encourages the growth of new skin. This new skin is tighter and smoother and thus also results in a younger look.

However, the effectiveness of the treatment also depends on what kinds of techniques are used and the proficiency of the people administering it.  These will influence how effective the treatment is as well as how quickly it will restore natural skin from acne prone skin.

Advantages of dermabrasion  

While many other treatments such as lasers and peels exist, dermabrasion has stood the test of time because it is very effective in treating specific types of skin problems including acne and acne scars. Here are a few of them:

1. Dermabrasion is better compared to peels as it can be focused on a specific area of the skin rather than the entire face.

2. It is better than laser treatments as it doesn’t leave a distinguishing mark between the treated and untreated areas of the skin.

3. As dermabrasion involves focused treatment, it is good at treating pitted acne scars or deeper acne scars on a specific area of the face.

Information about the procedure

Dermabrasion is usually done as an outpatient basis wherein the patient is usually discharged the same day. There are a few precautions you have to take before and after the procedure. It is performed under local anesthesia. Once completed, dermabrasion may start showing results in the first 24 hours although it will take up to two to three weeks for the skin to heal and for the full results to be visible.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

If you are observing an uneven skin tone in some specific areas, you are bound to get concerned. Uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation usually occurs due to an excessive production of melanin. Excess melanin is produced by the body because of sun exposure, hormonal changes and due to scarring. Your appearance gets affected, if you develop uneven skin tone. There are several ways to correct uneven skin tone. They are as follows:

1. Drink plenty of water: Drinking lots of water leads to a beautiful and healthy skin. The skin is made of 75% water and thus, drinking adequate amount of water leads to enhanced skin health and appearance. Water helps in cleaning the skin inside out and improves your skin tone drastically.
2. Apply sunscreen daily: The damage from sun exposure and the harmful rays of the sun leads to uneven skin tone. Wear sunscreen before going out in the sun for preventing further damage due to sun exposure. After using it for some time, your uneven skin tone improves.
3. Keep your skin hydrated: Uneven skin tone may result from oily skin and acne, and you should use a moisturizer regularly for its elimination. Keeping the skin well-moisturized and clean helps in the management of uneven skin tone. There are different types of moisturizers available, and you must choose one, which suits your skin the best. Certain moisturizers help in balancing your skin tone.
4. Baking soda paste: Baking soda is effective in the treatment of several skin issues. It exfoliates the skin and does not affect it in any way. You can prepare a paste of baking soda by mixing it with water and applying it on your skin. This helps in fixing uneven skin tone, which has been caused due to scarring and sun damage.
5. Yoghurt mask: Yoghurt contains natural bleaching agents, which improve the skin tone and exfoliate the skin effectively. It helps in lightening the effects of scars, suntan and uneven pigmentation. A yoghurt mask must be applied on your face several times a week for improved skin tone. You can prepare the paste by adding a small amount of water to fresh yoghurt.
6. Milk powder paste: Milk, similar to yoghurt, is used for improving your skin’s health. The bleaching agents in milk help in making your skin tone even. You need to take some milk powder and add milk to prepare a thick paste. Apply this paste on your face for getting the much improved skin tone.

Other natural remedies which are used in the correction of uneven skin tone include sugar scrub, sandalwood masks, tomato pulps, papayas and several others, which work efficiently without any side effects. 

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!