Acne is a very common skin condition that most people experience. It’s estimated that 80% of people ages 11 to 30 experienced from mild form of acne, and most people are affected by it at some point in their lives. It commonly affects teenagers but can occur in any age.
What is acne?
You get acne when the pores of your skin become blocked by hair, sebum, bacteria and dead skin cells. Those blockages produce blackheads, whiteheads, nodules and other types of pimples.
Most common areas affected are: face, chest, shoulders and upper back. Acne can be mild to severe and can take several forms:
- Blackhead: Open comedone that is filled with excess oil or sebum, and dead skin.
- Whitehead: Close comedone that is filled with sebum and dead skin.
- Papules: Small red or pink bumps that become inflamed.
- Pustules: Pimples containing pus. They look like whiteheads surrounded by red rings.
- Nodules: Solid pimples that are deep in your skin. They are large and painful.
- Cysts: Pus-filled pimples. These can cause scars.
Factors that cause or aggravates acne:
- luctuating hormonal levels around the time of a woman’s period.
- Air pollution
- Using oily or greasy personal care products
- Stress
- Certain Medications
- Genetic predisposition
There are several available treatment options:
- Topical treatment – e.g. Clindamycin, Erythromycin, Retinoic acid, benzayle peroxide.
- Oral treatment – e.g. Antibiotic, hormonal treatment, isotretinoin, spironolactone.
Your dermatologist will decide the best treatment options depending on the severity of your acne, skin condition and underlying problem. You may also be advised to undergo clinic treatment for your acne, acne scars and pigmentation. E.g.:
- Chemical peels
- Dermabrasion
- Laser resurfacing/fractional
- Micro needling/microneedle RF
- Surgery
Note: All forms of acne can affect our self-esteem. You should seek help early to minimize the risk of side effects such as scars.