Acne

acne SIMS Hospital

What is acne?

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when oil and dead skin cells plug in your hair follicles. It often causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples to appear on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders. Acne is most common among teenagers, although it affects individuals of all ages.

There are effective treatments, but acne can be persistent. The pimples and bumps heal slowly, and others appear to crop up when one begins to go away.

Acne may cause emotional distress and scar the skin depending on its severity. The sooner treatment is started, the lower the risk of such problems.

What causes acne?

Four main factors cause acne:

  • Excess oil production
  • Hair follicles clogged by oil and dead skin cells
  • Bacteria
  • Excess activity of a type of hormone (androgens)
  • Hormonal changes and the menstrual cycle
  • Squeezing at existing pimples
  • Cleaning your skin too vigorously
  • Pressure, such as hats, backpack straps, and helmets
  • High humidity
  • Cosmetics, such as sunscreen lotion, and hair products
  • Medications.

Symptoms :

Acne signs and symptoms vary depending on the severity of your condition:

  • Whiteheads (Under the surface of the skin – closed plugged pores)
  • Blackheads (on the surface of the skin, open-plugged pores)
  • Small red, tender bumps (papules)
  • Pimples (pustules), which are papules with pus at their tips
  • Large, solid, painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin (nodules)
  • Painful, pus-filled lumps beneath the surface of the skin (cystic lesions)

Best Treatment for acne scars?

  • Home skin care
  • Soft tissue fillers.
  • Laser resurfacing. 
  • Other energy-based procedures.
  • Dermabrasion.
  • Needling or rolling.
  • Surgery.
  • Chemical peeling.
  • Botox injections. 
  • Light therapy

Acne prevention

You can take many self-care steps to prevent acne or help heal and manage acne.

 • Wash your face with warm water and a mild facial cleaner.

• Use hair products that are non-comedogenic, sunscreen and makeup.

• Do not pinch or pick any defects.

• Do not touch your hands, phone and hair on your face.

• Maintain a healthy diet and avoid high-glycemic skim milk and food products.