Treatment for Acne Scars - Dr. Panackal's Skin & Cosmetology Clinic

Pimples or the common acne first begins to appear at puberty. Around this age, in both boys and girls, the body becomes flushed with sex hormones. Under the influence of these hormones, the oil glands situated at the base of the hair follicles become hyperactive. The excess oil [sebum] produced by this gland, along with the dead cells shed from the hair follicle, clog the opening through which the hair shaft emerges on to the surface of the skin. This anaerobic milieu caused by the blocking of the follicular orifice facilitates the overgrowth of the bacteria, propionibacterium acne. The bacteria produce certain enzymes, that cause inflammation and rupture of the follicular wall. The sebum leaks into the surrounding tissue, worsening the inflammation. Eventually, pus gets collected at the site, resulting in cyst formation.

Cysts increase the risk and severity of scarring. Pimples most often affect the face, back, chest and shoulders. This is because the oil glands are most numerous at these sites.

Types of Pimples

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WHITE HEADS

Also known as closed comodones, they remain under the skin and appear as small flesh coloured bumps. Here the clog is beneath the surface of the skin.

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BLACK HEADS

Also known as open comodones, they are clearly visible on the skin as small flat spots with dark centers. The dark colour is due to the oxidation of the pigment melanin. Here the clog is at the follicular orifice.

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PAPULES

These are pinkish rounded bumps on the skin. The pink colour is due to inflammation.

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PUSTULES

Worsening inflammation and bacterial overgrowth lead to pus formation. The base looks red with pus on top.

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NODULES

These are large papules. They are usually painful and situated deep inside the skin.

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CYSTS

These are deeply located pus-filled cavities. They develop after the follicular wall is breached and contents of clog leak into the surrounding tissues.

Common Myths Regarding Pimples

Pimples are not caused by lack of hygiene. Though washing helps, by removing excess oil and clearing the pores, dirt in itself doesn’t lead to acne.
Though bacterial overgrowth is a factor in the causation of acne, it is not contagious. It doesn’t spread from person to person.
Oil in food, in itself, doesn’t worsen acne. It is not the oil in the diet, but the oil produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin that worsen acne. Eating a balanced diet that contains omega 3 fats is helpful.

Do’s & Don’ts in Acne

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Don't pick or squeeze the acne. This may worsen inflammation and lead to hyper pigmentation and scarring. Doing clean ups is dangerous.

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Drink plenty of water. Water keeps the skin hydrated and helps to reduce inflammation.

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Eat a Balanced Diet.

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Make sure that the cosmetics and make up materials you use are oil free and don't clog the pores.

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Avoid sun as much as possible and use a non comodogenic broad spectrum sun screen of SPF 30 or above.

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Wash the face at least twice a day and in between if you sweat a lot.

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Shampoo hair atleast twice a week. Washing off excess oil from hair and scalp helps.

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Don't self medicate.

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Consult a Dermatologist and stick to the treatment advice.

Factors Worsening Pimples

Oral Contraceptive Pills [OCP] worsen acne in some women.
Intra-Uterine birth control Devices [IUD] and injectable contraceptives may cause a flare-up of acne.
Some steroids used by bodybuilders and athletes can worsen acne.
Stress and lack of adequate sleep may worsen acne.
Acne usually flares up before every menstrual cycle.
Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease [PCOD]: High circulating levels of androgen cause acne breakouts.
Age: Acne typically develops at puberty.
Heredity: If several members of your family have acne, you are likely to develop acne.

DIET IN ACNE

Foods to Avoid

At puberty, there is a spike in the production of a hormone called Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 [IGF 1]. This stimulates sebaceous glands to produce more oil, leading to a worsening of acne.

Foods that cause a rapid rise in blood sugar level cause an increase in IGF 1 level. Examples include foods containing refined carbohydrates and sugars like soft drinks, potato chips, and other fried snacks, white bread, cookies, biscuits, sweets, cakes, etc. All these, generally called as fast foods or junk foods have one thing in common – they have high Glycemic Index. That means they are rapidly broken down in the gut and cause a rapid rise in blood sugar level. This spike in blood sugar eventually causes the skin to produce more oil.

In general, the more processed a food item is, the higher is it’s Glycemic Index. Dairy products like milk, butter, cheese, ice cream, and buttermilk naturally contain IGF 1. Some people with acne may benefit from avoiding these. Evidence shows that avoiding high Glycemic Index foods is more beneficial than avoiding dairy products.

Do chocolates worsen acne? YES, it does, probably due to its high sugar content.

Foods that Help

Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and improve acne. Examples include

~ Soybeans and soy products
~ Green leafy vegetables
~ Nuts like walnuts and almonds
~ Avocados
~ Mustard seeds
~ Fish like sardine, salmon and mackerel
~ Grass-fed beef and lamb

Nuts like walnuts and almonds have high amounts of zinc apart from omega 3 fatty acids. Zinc is known to be beneficial in acne.

Antioxidant and vitamin-rich seasonal fruits may help to reduce inflammation and control acne. While refined carbohydrates are bad, complex carbohydrates found in brown rice, whole grain bread and cereals are good. The more fiber in a food, the more slowly it’s digested and more slowly the blood sugar rises. It is the rapid rise in blood sugar that is harmful.

As mentioned previously, drink plenty of water. Water keeps the skin hydrated and helps to control the inflammation.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF EXERCISE IN ACNE?

Exercise helps to regulate insulin production and this helps to control acne. Regular exercise reduces stress, another factor worsening acne. Moderate exercise that is good enough to make you gasp or take a deep breath for about half an hour a day will do wonders to your sense of well being and health apart from benefiting acne. While these are general guidelines on ‘Diet in Acne’, variations in individual susceptibility to a particular food item is possible. So, if you feel that a particular item is worsening your acne, you may avoid that. A balanced diet, regular exercise and do’s and don’ts can only do so much for your acne. Most cases of acne will need treatment.

WHY SHOULD YOU TREAT ACNE?

Acne should be treated not just to improve the immediate cosmetic appearance but to prevent the development of scars. Scars are the souvenirs left behind by untreated acne. Also, it is essential that active acne is brought under control before pre-existing scars are treated. Consult your Dermatologist for treating both acne and acne scars.

HOW TO TREAT ACNE [PIMPLES]?

Acne is a condition that is easily diagnosed and treated. Several options including both topical and oral medicines are available for the purpose. Light therapy using IPL is another modality that delivers faster results in acne. The treatment that suits you, is best decided by a qualified dermatologist.