What causes unwanted facial hair and acne breakouts?

Question

Hello Doctor,

I have facial acne and facial hair. I have been removing the hair using a Braun facial epilator, and nothing happened during the first couple of months. Now I am having acne breakouts.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to iCliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

It seems that you are experiencing hirsutism and acne, which are both components of saha syndrome (seborrhea, acne, hirsutism, and alopecia). Hirsutism means the development of unwanted hair on the body in a male pattern. You may have hair on the chest, face, and limbs, but there may also be hair loss from the scalp. Hirsutism and acne may be associated with menstrual irregularities such as polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD), which must be ruled out by ultrasonography. A hormone profile should also be done. If there are any hormonal abnormalities or if polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) is present, it must be treated to achieve a permanent cure for hirsutism and acne.

You can apply Eflornithine cream twice daily over the affected area after epilation, as this helps reduce the rate of hair growth. Other treatment options include intense pulsed light (IPL) laser or neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) laser. For acne, you can start using Clindamycin 1% gel during the day over the pimples and Adapalene 0.1 percent gel at night over the entire face for about two to three months. With Adapalene, a slight burning sensation may occur, so it should be used in small amounts. For cleaning your face, you can use a gentle foaming face wash with mild cleansing agents. You should also follow dietary restrictions such as avoiding oily and spicy food, junk food, milk products, and non-vegetarian foods. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. Please return for a review after one month.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.