How to cure acne and acne scars which have been present for five months?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

As per the history and images provided (attachments removed to protect the identity of the patient), it may be acne vulgaris and post-acne hyperpigmentation or PIH with atrophic scarring. Acne appears most often due to hormonal fluctuations, imbalances, due to genetic reasons, climate changes, food habits, cases of consuming oily, fried, and sweet food items, as a reaction to new products being used on the face, and due to gynecological conditions like PCOS for which in person consultation with a gynecologist is adviced. Acne may be on and off, and each time the acne triggers or appears, it may be managed. Dark spots and pores accompany acne, which develops following acne inflammation and due to excess oil secretion from the skin. There are medications and procedures available for managing the same.

I advise you to consult a specialist and take the medications mentioned below with their consent.

1. AHA glow S foaming face wash (salicylic acid 2 % and Glycolic acid) to be applied, massaged gently in circular motions, and washed off within one minute daily twice.

2. Clinmiskin gel (Clindamycin and Niacinamide gel) is to be applied on the pimples twice daily.

3. Aziderm 10 % cream (Azelaic Acid) to be applied in a very thin layer on the affected area on alternate days at night only. Make sure your face is cleansed and dried well. Your hands and face should be absolutely dry without any moisture. Apply the cream in a pea-sized quantity only on the affected areas in a very, very thin layer. Do not use it all over the face, and do not use it in large quantities since the medication is strong and may cause irritation.

4. Tablet Ascorbic acid 500 mg chewable tablet twice daily after food is to be chewed and consumed.

5. Capsule Evion 400 mg (vitamin E capsule) once daily at night after food to be taken with water.

The above medications are the medications for active acne and the management of new acne. They do not help with atrophic scarring, also called depressed scarring. For the purpose of treatment of PIH and atrophic scarring, there are procedures that are the most helpful in reducing their appearances. In severe cases, antibiotics may also be needed.

Refrain from using skin care products as they may cause a reaction depending on the contents of the product and may lead to breakouts. The PIH and acne scarring may be managed only by undergoing procedures, as medications have limitations, whereas procedures have the capacity to penetrate through the skin to help with internal problems and correct them. Most scarring is caused to inflammatory reactions and habitual picking of acne, leading to the formation of depressed scars that require intervention through procedures. Below are the procedures:

1. There are laser therapy procedures that may be done once a month to help in reducing current acne, fading of hyperpigmented spots, and atrophic scarring. Q switch and Erbium lasers can be very beneficial and do wonders for treating acne and post-acne scarring and dark spots. They are done in sessions once monthly and may require direct consultation with a dermatologist to undergo the procedure.

2. Other more superficial procedures like glycolic acid peels once in 2 weeks to one month may be done on your skin to manage the existing acne, scarring, and dark spots. They cause mild peeling of the affected area and are done in sessions, rejuvenating the skin and reducing its appearance. You may need to consult a dermatologist in person for the procedure details and in order to undergo the procedure. The medications may be used along with it as well.

Continue to avoid oily, fried food, as you are already practicing, and also avoid milk and dairy products, sweets, and chocolates. They trigger acne. Consume more fruits, vegetables, and a fiber-rich food, and ensure adequate hydration with at least ten glasses of water a day.

Having said that, I would like to mention that acne may be on and off depending on the factors mentioned above. However, they may be managed with medications and procedures and by protecting yourself from external triggers, as mentioned above. Internal triggers, on the other hand, is dependent on hormonal fluctuations, which cannot be controlled but may be managed with the help of a gynecologist. For most individuals, acne fades as they grow older with the regularisation of hormone levels. Refrain from picking the acne as well, as it may lead to hyperpigmentation as well.

I hope I could be of help.

Stay happy, healthy, and safe.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Aziderm cream, as I suggested, will help with scarring to an extent. However, procedures like laser therapy and chemical peeling help them extensively. Kindly consider the usage of Aziderm for the scarring. Derma roller is also a helpful procedure. They are called PRP with microneedling, where PRP is platelet-rich plasma that is taken by drawing your blood to an amount of 10 to 12 ml and centrifuged in a machine, and the part containing platelets is extracted and applied on the areas along with derma rolling the affected areas. Once the PRP penetrates through the micropores produced following derma rolling (or microneedling), the platelet in the plasma acts as collagen stimulators and growth factors, helping reduce scarring and dark spots. They are done in sessions on a monthly basis. However, they may not be ideal to be performed in case of active acne since they may break the acne lesions leading to complications like superinfection, scarring, dermatitis, etc. Therefore, you may consider laser and peels initially, and once the current acne completely subsides, derma rollers may be considered for treatment of the residual acne scarring.

I hope it was informative and helpful.

Take good care.