HomeAnswersDermatologyacneI have had pimples and scars on my cheeks and forehead for two months. How to get rid of it?

How to treat acne vulgaris?

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Published At October 31, 2022
Reviewed AtDecember 8, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am a teenager of average build. I have had pimples and scars on my cheeks and forehead for two months.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

It could be acne vulgaris and post-acne hyperpigmentation (PIH) with atrophic scarring. Acne appears most frequently due to hormonal fluctuations, imbalances, genetic reasons, climate changes, food habits, consumption of oily, fried, and sweet foods, and as a reaction to new products used on the face. Acne can appear and disappear. Each time it does, it can be managed. Acne is accompanied by dark spots and pores, which result from acne inflammation and excessive oil secretion from the skin. There are medications and procedures available to help with this.

I suggest you use AHA glow S (salicylic acid 2 % and glycolic acid) foaming face wash, massaged gently in circular motions, and washed off within one minute. Use twice daily. Apply Clinmiskin (Clindamycin Niacinamide) gel on the pimples twice daily. Take a tablet of Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) 500 mg chewable tablet twice daily after food. You can also apply Aziderm (Azelaic Acid) 10 % cream to the affected area on alternate days at night. First, make sure your face is thoroughly cleansed and dried. Your hands and face should be completely dry and free of moisture. Then, apply a pea-sized amount of cream in a very thin layer only to the affected areas. Because the medication is strong and may cause irritation, do not use it all over the face or in large quantities. If the acne is mild, avoid using it. This treatment is only for severe acne. The medications listed above are for active acne and new acne management. They do not help with atrophic scarring, also known as depressed scarring. Some procedures are particularly effective in reducing the appearance of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and atrophic scarring. In severe cases, antibiotics are needed. In that case, you can take a capsule of Evion (vitamin E) 400 mg daily at night after food.

Avoid using skin care products because they can cause allergic reactions and breakouts depending on the ingredients. Scar removal procedures are the only way to manage pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and acne scarring because medications have limitations, and procedures can penetrate the skin to help correct internal problems. Most scarring is caused by inflammatory reactions and habitual acne pricking, resulting in depressed scars that require surgical intervention. Laser therapy procedures can be done once a month to help with current acne, hyperpigmented spot fading, and atrophic scarring. However, they are performed monthly and may necessitate a direct consultation with a Dermatologist. Chemical peeling can be done once every two weeks to one month, and glycolic acid peels may be performed on your skin to manage existing acne, scarring, and dark spots. They cause mild peeling of the affected area and are performed in sessions, rejuvenating the skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. The medications may also be used in conjunction with it.

Continue to avoid oily, fried foods, as you have been doing, as well as milk and dairy products, sweets, and chocolates. They cause acne. Consume more fruits, vegetables, and fiber-rich foods, and drink at least ten glasses of water per day to stay hydrated. Acne can come and go depending on the factors mentioned above. They can, however, be managed with medications and procedures and by avoiding external triggers, as previously mentioned. Internal triggers, on the other hand, are determined by hormonal fluctuations that cannot be controlled but can be managed with the assistance of a Gynecologist. In addition, acne usually fades as people age, and their hormone levels normalize. Therefore, avoid picking at acne as much as possible. Please attach an image of the affected area for better assessment and evaluation.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sandhya Narayanan Kutty
Dr. Sandhya Narayanan Kutty

Venereology

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