Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I am 26 years old. For the last six months, I have been facing mild to moderate acne, which has resulted in scarring. Please provide your opinion as to which cosmetic treatment I should opt for.
Though I have consulted a cosmetologist, I am a bit reluctant to go for these procedures due to their potential side effects. I have a thin face, so I want to go for dermal fillers to get a fuller look. Are these fillers safe? Which filler would be the best for the long term?
Also, I have got mild acne on my back and scars as well. Please provide a solution for this and suggest to me the course of action for the cosmetic treatment and fillers.
Thanks.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
For acne, in your age group, it is always important to rule out PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). To find that out, you need to tell me whether you have irregular periods. How many days does your period date shift from the expected date? Do you get any hair growth in facial areas like the upper lip or chin?
Although your weight is correct for your height, PCOS can be present in thin individuals as well. We can start the treatment for acne depending on your hormonal profile results. Fillers are of different types depending on the area to be treated, such as tear trough (under the eyes), lips, cheeks, etc. Nowadays, all doctors prefer to use semi-permanent fillers because of their advantages. These typically last for a year on average.
I hope this helps you.
Take care.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
Yes, I am facing irregularity in periods, as the period date shifts from four to five days from the expected date. Is this normal? I mean a four to five-day shift (period comes after due date). But, no hair growth on the chin and upper lip. I went up for an ultrasound, and there was a possibility of PCOD, and it has already been taken care of as I am on an Ayurveda treatment.
Also, I was under prolonged stress for the last five months. Still, I would like to know from your end what else can be done to control acne. As far as acne scars are concerned, please suggest the cosmetic treatment that I can take.
Are chemical peels, lasers, and derma rollers safe? Do chemical peels cause burning as I have some red marks on the face left behind by acne and minor pits?
Regarding dermal fillers, I want to go for it around the jawline, cheeks, and under the eyes. Can I take both these treatments together? If not, then what should be the course of action?
Please share all the potential side effects that these procedures can cause and suggest the right dermal filler. Do I need to renew these dermal fillers every year?
Kindly suggest.
Thank you.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
If the PCOD (polycystic ovarian disorder) and acne treatment are taken care of, then we can move on to the treatment of scars. For scars, you can go for any of the treatments ranging from peels, micro-needling (derma roller), or lasers. I prefer a combination, usually.
Yes, lasers are safe if the right skin preparation is done along with the correct parameters for your skin type. Regarding dermal fillers, you do not have to renew the fillers.
But, yes, they are absorbed after a year. However, in addition to stimulating the natural collagen and hyaluronic substances present in the skin, the fillers also encourage the production of these materials. So, even after your artificial fillers are absorbed, it is after boosting your natural fillers present in the skin.
I hope this information will help you.
Thanks.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I have started my acne scar treatment. I have undergone two sittings of microdermabrasion, dermapen, and lactic acid peel on a gap of 10 days. There are few concerns. Please resolve those concerns and provide a second opinion. Along with the topical treatment, my doctor is giving me supplements like zinc acetate and Evion (vitamin E) for first 10 days and multivitamin tablets for the next 10 days. But, I am already on some ayurveda medicines like Ashokarishtam, Shatavri gulam, and Kumaravyasam. Could these supplements interfere with the ayurvedic medicines? Will these supplements cause the side effect as I have heard about zinc toxicity?
I did not see improvement even after getting two sittings, and the peel they are using is very mild. The skin does not get the peel off physically. My dermatologist suggested me to go with four to five sittings and then they will go for ultra pulse fractional CO2 laser. Is this laser ablative and unsafe? What will be the downtime? Which laser is best for treatment?
I asked for dermal fillers, but my doctor does not inject fillers. As per her, there are so many side effects with the artificial fillers.But, I am keen to go for it. Also, my doctor prescribed me Isotretinoin a dose of 20 mg daily, which I am reluctant to take. Shall I continue treatment without taking this medicine? Will it affect the cosmetic procedure?
Thanks.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
I prefer that if a patient is on the ayurvedic treatment, they finish it first and then start my therapy because I do not know the ayurvedic medicines and their interaction. So, it would avoid the confusion just in case you develop some reaction to ayurvedic medication or allopathic drugs, in a rare occurrence. In any case, you should keep both your allopathic and ayurvedic doctors in the picture about your respective treatment.
You will not notice a difference so fast. Acne scar treatment takes at least six to eight months to see a difference. You need not notice a physical peel, and it does not mean the peel is not working. Lactic peels are mild, but they work. Fractional lasers are non-ablative, so you can continue the treatment. Do not worry, every machine has different downtime. You can discuss the same with your doctor. You can search for a doctor who does inject fillers. Also, allow the doctor to assess your face and go for it only if the doctor thinks it will benefit you.Isotretinoin is a safe medicine if you follow up with the doctor regularly.
I hope this information will help you.
Thanks.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
First of all, thanks for all the valuable suggestions and opinions that are helping me in my treatment.
I wrongly mentioned that I am getting lactic acid peels. I went up for four sessions of yellow peels (retinoid) along with microdermabrasion and dermapens in a gap of 10 days. But, till now, there has been almost no or very little improvement.
After every dermapen session, pimples pop out. Is this normal? Can dermapen be done on active acne? My blackheads and whiteheads remain the same.
Now the doctor is asking me to go for Ultrapulse Lumenis fractional CO2 laser on both cheeks. Please tell me the possible side effects of this laser. And, what could be the alternate option? Does getting peels make the skin thin as I am experiencing the same?
Kindly suggest.
Thank you.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Dermapen can cause pimples occasionally, and that is reversible. Peels do not cause thinning of the skin. In fact, it increases the collagen content of the skin and improves the skin thickness. Only the topmost layer of dead skin (stratum corneum) is thinned out, which is beneficial for acne.
In pimple-prone skin, the abnormally thick stratum corneum is responsible for acne production. So, peels are good for your skin in the long run if you follow the post-procedure care well. Laser can be done for scars. There are very few chances of side effects, which are also often temporary. Nevertheless, you can discuss those with your dermatologist before going for the procedure.
I hope this information will help you.
Thank you.
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Answered byDr. Bhagat Aditi Vithal Rao
Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team
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