What is ’Acne’ ?
Acne commonly known as ’pimples’ is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilo-sebaceous unit present in the skin.
In mild to moderate cases, there may be black heads (comedones), white heads (papules) or pustules. In severe cases, there are nodules, cysts and abscess which lead to scarring if not treated on time.

What are the common factors affecting the formation of acne ?
-Hormonal changes.
-Acne commonly occurs in people who are genetically predisposed.
-Use of cosmetics such as creams, oil based moisturizers, oil based foundations, blushes etc. can cause acne.
Application of heavy oil or gel on the scalp leads to pimples on the back and forehead.
-Squeezing or picking at a pre-existing lesion will aggravate the acne, lead to secondary infection and cause hyper-pigmentation.
-Stress will exacerbate acne.
-Finally, if acne persists in spite of treatment, and the patient has other features such as hirsutism or hair loss, an endocrine disorder must be considered & investigations carried out accordingly.

What are the ’Do’s and Dont’s’ in treatment of acne ?
1)Wash your face with an anti-bacterial soap at least 5 - 6 times a day.
2)Increase the intake of citrus fruits such as oranges, grapes, lime and lemon and other food stuff which are high in vitamin C and zinc.3) Drink plenty of water.
4)Do not pick or squeeze the pimples as this causes infection, pigmentation and scarring.
5)Avoid the use of oily cosmetics, cleansing milk and gels.
Do not apply excessive hair oil if you have acne over the forehead.
6)Avoid stress factors.
7)Be patient and give medicines some time to act. You may have to take antibiotics for 8 - 10 weeks.
You may require surgical intervention in the form of comedone extraction, cryoslush, cryo-peel with liquid nitrogen or superficial chemical peel. These are best performed by a dermatosurgeon.
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