Treatment

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead cells. It often causes whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, cysts or /and nodules It usually appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders. Acne is most common among teenagers but it may be seen in adults as well. Effective treatments are available, but it can be persistant and at times difficult to treat.

Acne can be of different types, depending upon its presentation:

• Non Inflammatory Acne

- Black Heads

- White Heads

• Inflammatory Acne

- Papular Acne

- Pastuler Acne

- Nodular Acne

- Cystic Acne

In Acne, there is excess sebum (oil) production, due to which tiny holes on the surface of the skin become clogged. These holes are called pores. Each pore opens to a hair follicle containing an oil gland. The oil released by the gland helps the skin soft and moist. When glands produce too much oil, this causes the pores to dilate (open pores) when pores become clogged it becomes Comedones (White Heads and Black Heads) and when attacked by bacteria may result in Pimples, cyst or nodules resulting in pastular, cystic or nodular acne respectively.

It may be triggered by:

• Hormonal changes related to puberty, menstrual periods, polycystic ovarian disease(PCOs), pregnancy, birth control pills

• Stress

• Greasy or oily cosmetic

• Over consumption of oily food and sweets.

• Certain drugs (such as steroids, testosterone, estrogen, and phenytoin)