What is acne?

Acne (pimples) is an inflammatory skin condition which occurs when your hair follicles are plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It normally causes closed comedones, also called whiteheads or open comedones, also known as blackheads, and occasionally heals with black spots. Acne usually appears on the face, upper chest, upper back and shoulders. Even though acne may affect people of all ages, it is most common among teenagers.

What causes acne?

Pimples occur when the follicles on your face get blocked, and oil builds up under the skin. Hormonal factors such as the rise of androgen levels when adolescence begins also contributes to the development of acne. Some other causes and factors may worsen acne, these include:

• Certain medication such as steroids
• Greasy cosmetics
• Hormonal changes
• Emotional stress
• Menstruation
• Bacteria (P.acnes) 

What are the related acne symptoms?

Acne symptoms vary depending on the severity of the condition. Symptoms may include:

• Whiteheads due to closed plugged pores
• Blackheads due to open plugged pores
• Small red and tender bumps called papules
• Pimples which may also be red and tender
• Large, solid, painful lumps that are beneath the surface of the skin
• Painful cystic lesions

What are the possible treatment options?

Acne treatment depends entirely on how severe and persistent the acne is. You should visit a dermatologist to help control your acne and prevent your skin from scarring, healing with black spots or to make scars less noticeable.

Dr Konyana may prescribe oral medication such as antibiotics if you have moderate to severe acne to lower the amount of face bacteria, known as the P.acnes. Oral contraceptives may also be prescribed to maintain a clearance of acne in women. Dr Konyana may prescribe certain medications such as oral isotretinoin (also known as oratane, acnetane) if you have severe acne or you do not respond to antibiotics. The dermatologist may recommend that you undergo therapy in certain cases, which may be done alone or with a combination of medication. These therapies may include:

• Lasers and photodynamic therapy, where a light is used to stimulate the skin tissue to clear acne.
• Micro-needling, whereby tiny needles are rubbed over affected areas of the skin for people with scarring, black spots or uneven skin tone following acne treatment
• A chemical peel, where a chemical solution is applied on your face and peeled off.
• Extraction of whiteheads and blackheads, where special tools are used to remove whiteheads and blackheads.
• Steroid injections, where the dermatologist injects a steroid drug into the acne, nodular or cystic lesions.