What is Acne?
Acne vulgaris also known as Pimples or Acne and it the   most common skin disorders in humans, especially affecting the younger age group. Severe and later stages of acne can lead to disastrous scarring causing severe emotional distress and reduced self-esteem and affects psychologically in society.
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It often causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples, and usually appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders. Acne is most common among teenagers, although it affects people of all age groups.
Depending on its severity, acne can cause emotional distress and scar the skin. The earlier you start treatment, the lower your risk of such problems. Effective treatments are available, but acne can be persistent. The pimples and bumps heal slowly, and when one begins to go away, others seem to crop up.

What are factors causing Acne?
The most important factors are pollution, genetic, followed by hormones, stress, diet, and skin care. All of these factors can cause bacteria to multiply, pores to block and oil to form Acne on skin. Acne can be mild and non-scarring, such as black heads and white heads, or extreme and scarring. In 80% of cases, acne can be managed and treated none surgically.
Acne occurs when the pores of your skin become blocked with oil, dead skin, or bacteria.
Each pore of your skin is the opening to a follicle. The follicle is made up of a hair and a sebaceous (oil) gland.
The oil gland releases sebum (oil), which travels up the hair, out of the pore, and onto your skin. The sebum keeps your skin lubricated and soft.
One or more problems in this lubrication process can cause acne. It can occur when:
Too much oil is produced by your follicles
Dead skin cells accumulate in your pores
Bacteria build up in your pores due to exposure to environment and pollution.
These problems contribute to the development of pimples. A pimple appears when bacteria grows in a clogged pore and the oil is unable to escape.

Common types of Acne

These are most common type of acne conditions below

Blackheads-: Small black colored bumps that develop on the skin due to clogged hair follicle’s.

Whiteheads: These are similar to blackheads but are much firmer and won’t empty when squeezed or when applied pressure.

Papules:  Small red bumps or rashes that may feel tender sore and itching.

Pustules: They are bulging skin that is similar to papules, and have a white and yellowish tip in the centre filled with pus (dead cells) .

Nodules-: Hard and painful lumps that build up beneath the surface of the skin.

Cysts: Sac-like pockets caused by acne.

Pus: Filled bumps that look similar to boils and bear the highest risk of causing lasting scarring.

What are the risk factors for developing Acne?

Myths about what contributes to acne are quite common. Many people believe that foods such as chocolate or French fries will contribute to acne. While there’s no scientific support for these claims, there are certain risk factors for developing acne.

These include:

• Hormonal changes caused by puberty or pregnancy
• Certain medications, such as certain birth control pills or corticosteroids
• A diet high in refined sugars or carbohydrates, such as bread and chips
• Having parents who had acne (genetically)

People are most at risk for developing acne during puberty. During this time, your body undergoes hormonal changes.

These changes can trigger oil production, leading to an increased risk of acne. Hormonal acne related to puberty usually subsides, or at least improves when you reach adulthood.

What are Acne types?

You may hear the term “breakout” used to describe all forms of acne, but this isn’t always an accurate description. Not all types of acne spread across the skin.

Clogged pores cause acne itself. These may be attributed to:

• excess production of oil (sebum)
• bacteria
• hormones
• dead skin cells
• ingrown hairs

Acne is usually associated with hormonal fluctuations experienced during your teenage years, but adults can experience acne, too. About 17 million Americans have acne, making it one of the most common skin conditions among both children and adults.

Identifying which type of acne you’re experiencing is key to successful treatment. Acne may be non-inflammatory or inflammatory. Subtypes of acne within these two categories include:

• blackheads
• whiteheads
• papules
• pustules
• nodules
• cysts

It’s possible to have multiple types of acne at once — some cases may even be severe enough to warrant a visit to the dermatologist.

Read on to learn more about the subtypes of acne and how you can treat them.

Noninflammatory acne

Noninflammatory acne includes blackheads and whiteheads. These normally don’t cause swelling. They also respond relatively well to over-the-counter (OTC) treatments.

Salicylic acid is often marketed for acne in general, but it usually works best on noninflammatory acne. It naturally exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells that can lead to blackheads and whiteheads. Look for it in cleansers, toners, and moisturizers.

Blackheads (open comedones)

Blackheads occur when a pore is clogged by a combination of sebum and dead skin cells. The top of the pore stays open, despite the rest of it being clogged. This results in the characteristic black color seen on the surface.

Whiteheads (closed comedones)

Whiteheads can also form when a pore gets clogged by sebum and dead skin cells. But unlike with blackheads, the top of the pore closes up. It looks like a small bump protruding from the skin.

Whiteheads are more difficult to treat because the pores are already closed. Products containing salicylic acid can be helpful. Topical retinoids give the best results for comedonal acne. Currently, adapalene (Differin) is available over the counter as a retinoid. If it does not work for you, stronger topical retinoids are available by prescription from your dermatologist.

Inflammatory acne

Pimples that are red and swollen are referred to as inflammatory acne.

Although sebum and dead skin cells contribute to inflammatory acne, bacteria can also play a role in clogging up pores. Bacteria can cause an infection deep beneath the skin’s surface. This may result in painful acne spots that are hard to get rid of.

Products containing benzoyl-peroxide may help reduce swelling and get rid of bacteria within the skin. These can also remove excess sebum. Your doctor may prescribe either an oral or topical antibiotic along with the benzoyl-peroxide to treat your inflammatory acne. Topical retionoids are also an important part of combatting inflammatory papules and pustules.

Papules

Papules occur when the walls surrounding your pores break down from severe inflammation. This results in hard, clogged pores that are tender to the touch. The skin around these pores is usually pink.

Pustules

Pustules can also form when the walls around your pores break down. Unlike papules, pustules are filled with pus. These bumps come out from the skin and are usually red in color. They often have yellow or white heads on top.

Nodules

Nodules occur when clogged, swollen pores endure further irritation and grow larger. Unlike pustules and papules, nodules are deeper underneath the skin.

Because nodules are so deep within the skin, you can’t typically treat them at home. Prescription medication is necessary to help clear these up.

Your doctor or dermatologist will likely prescribe the oral medication isotretinoin (Sotret). This is made from a form of vitamin A and is taken daily for four to six months. It can treat and prevent nodules by decreasing oil gland size within the pores.

Cysts

Cysts can develop when pores are clogged by a combination of bacteria, sebum, and dead skin cells. The clogs occur deep within the skin and are further below the surface than nodules.

These large red or white bumps are often painful to the touch. Cysts are the largest form of acne, and their formation usually results from a severe infection. This type of acne is also the most likely to scar.

The prescription medication isotretinoin (Sotret) is commonly used to treat cysts. In severe cases, your dermatologist may surgically remove a cyst.

How severe is each type of acne?

Blackheads and whiteheads are the mildest forms of acne. These can sometimes be cleared up with OTC topical medications, such as salicylic acid-based toners or benzoyl-peroxide spot treatments. If they don’t respond to OTC medications, comedones are easily treated with topical retinoids. There is even one type of retinoid, known as adapalene, which is now available over the counter. It’s very effective in clearing blackheads and whiteheads.

Pustules and papules are more moderate forms of acne. These may or may not clear up with OTC meds. Widespread moderate acne may require an oral or topical prescription from a dermatologist.

Nodules and cysts are the most severe form of acne. You have to see a dermatologist to clear up severe acne. Picking or popping nodules and cysts can lead to scars.

Does Acne produce scars?

Pimples, especially cystic zits, can trigger scars in some cases. You can assist decrease scar tissue formation by perhaps not squeezing or applying pressure or picking at blemishes. Additionally, stay away from scrubbing your skin. If you get scars, treatment options are available and it can be treated. Don’t get panic.

How can Acne be treated ?

Acne Skin care : cleansers and moisturisers. Patients suffering from acne and oily skin will need to have the correct skin care as the basics of treatment.

Prescription creams, gels, and lotions-: These products are prescription medications designed to reduce oil production, normalise bacterial counts and help with breakouts and blackheads. We use a combination of peels .

Carbon peel treatment: It  is a revolutionary treatment also known as the Hollywood peel. It is based on the ability of carbon to extract oil and contaminants from deep within the pores. It is highly beneficial for people with oily skin, blackheads, enlarged pores, dull skin, and acne on the face or body. It is also an excellent way to exfoliate and refresh your skin, providing an instant refreshed appearance and leaving skin feeling softer, smoother and firmer.

Cleansing: Carbon has the ability to absorb oil and contaminants from deep within the pores. When the laser is passed over the treatment area it targets and destroys the carbon particles, taking any absorbed material with it.

Exfoliating: As the carbon is targeted by the laser, it blasts away dead skin cells, blackheads and effectively exfoliates the skin. The result is softer, radiant skin with reduced pore size and a more even skin tone.

Rejuvenating: Carbon peels also target the deep layers of the skin to stimulate collagen production, which in turn produces firmer, plumper skin, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and leaves skin feeling tighter and glowing.

Acne and Oil Destroying: The heat produced by carbon peels has more additional benefits. It reduces the P.Acnes bacteria responsible for acne, allowing for better management of pimples and outbreaks, and it also shrinks sebaceous glands (oil producing glands), resulting in less oil production, and therefore reducing congestion building up in the pores. Treatments can be performed on any part of the body, including the back and chest.

Why Dr Stuti Khare Shukla for Acne Treatment?

Dr Stuti Khare Shukla is known for her acne treatments with her world class products. She treats most severe type of acne only with the medicines and without the need of any higher interventions.

For Best treatment options and services with Amazing results consult at Elements of Aesthetics clinic

Antibiotics Prophylaxis: Tablets should always be combined with a vitamin A cream to help reduce antibiotic resistance. A course of antibiotics ranges from 12 weeks to 12 months or longer. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics include Doxycycline, Tetracycline, Minocycline and Erythromycin.

Topical retinoids (isotretinoin, tretinoin, and adapalene) are first-choice.

Azelaic acid and Benzoyl peroxide are alternate topical remedies.

Topical benzoyl peroxide is an efficient therapy. Azelaic acid is a renewable relevant anti-bacterial and may be much causing much less irritation as compared to benzoyl peroxide.

Topical antibiotics (erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline) are additionally effective as they are advised if benzoyl peroxide is inadequate or perhaps not tolerated well by skin.

Oral antibiotics ought to be considered: Tetracycline or oxytetracycline, Doxycycline.

Oral antibiotics ought to be considered in serious pimples.

Tetracycline or oxytetracycline, Doxycycline.

Minocycline can be considered if first line oral antibiotics have actually unsuccessful.

Isotretinoin is the favored option for nodulocystic acne refractory to standard treatment

Anti hormone treatments: These are aimed at targeting hormones that can increase oil and sebum production. For females we use the both combination treatment and it act faster control of your acne chemical peels and anti-hormone tablets is recommend and works better and gives good results.

Laser treatment for acne-Laser can be extremely useful to treat many types of acne including blackhead acne, whitehead acne, papular and pustular acne as well as hormonal acne.

Laser can be extremely useful to treat many types of acne including blackhead acne, whitehead acne, papular and pustular acne as well as hormonal acne.

The carbon laser peel to treat acne is advancement with A thin layer of carbon and Hyaluronic Acid is placed on your skin. This carbon is absorbed by your oil glands and acts as a target for the laser. This works with principle of a photoaccoustic effect, in turn killing the bacteria that causes acne and control it further. Below are some laser that can be used for Acne & Scars treatment.