All you want to know about acne! : The Tribune India

Join Whatsapp Channel

Doc Talk

All you want to know about acne!

Tired of being called ‘Pizza Face’? Acne does not discriminate based on gender, race, age, wealth or social status.

All you want to know about acne!


Dr Sukhdeep Kaur

Tired of being called ‘Pizza Face’? Acne does not discriminate based on gender, race, age, wealth or social status. Acne is controlled by hormonal fluctuations that are hard to tame. This often makes acne management a frustrating affair. Read on for a better understanding about your zits…

The location of your zits are important clues to your inner health. Most of us have a propensity to develop acne on certain areas of our face alone. Ever wonder what that means?

n Acne on the forehead is generally an indication of digestive disorders or latent bacterial infections. Add more fruits, vegetables and water to your diet. Use medicated shampoos if you also suffer from dandruff. Do not use leave-on hair products. And do not let your hair fall on your forehead. These are the most common location of acne in adolescents. Acne between and around the eyebrows is an indication of an unhealthy liver and gall bladder. Cut back on rich food and alcohol.

n Acne on the upper cheeks is an indication of unhealthy lungs. Avoid smoking and stay away from dust and pollen. Acne on the sides of your cheek, especially if they only affect one cheek, could be a result of touching your face with dirty hands, smoking, sleeping on dirty pillows or bacteria picked up from your cell phone.

n Acne on your ears means your kidneys are suffering. Drink more water and cut down on salt and caffeine. Acne on the lower cheeks could be an indication of infected gums and/or dental cavities.

n Acne on the nose is a sign of an unhealthy pancreas. This could also be a result of constipation, bloating and indigestion. Remember to exfoliate regularly. Acne along the jawline or upper neck is an indication of hormonal imbalance, stress and/or pelvic infections.

n Acne on the centre of the chin suggests your stomach and small intestine are unclean. Avoid rich fatty and unhygienic food. Cut back on sugar. Incorporate more fibre and omega-3 fatty acids in your diet.

n Acne on the chest and back may be an indication of excess heat and sweating, poor hygiene or fungal infections.

Is there an acne diet?

For years, women believed that chocolates and fried food cause acne break outs. And for years, dermatologists have insisted that there is no scientific evidence to back this statement. However, weight and obesity (often a fall back of junk food) can lead to hormonal imbalances which lead to acne. Dairy products, sugary and starchy foods are the main culprits, rather than fat. A constipated gut can also upset your delicate hormonal balance. This is the price we pay for modernity. Too much meat and processed food in our diet leads to constipation. Balance your craving for meat and sweets with plenty of water, exercise and fibre in your diet. Probiotics can regulate your gut. A diet rich in zinc, selenium and vitamin A (for example seafood, shellfish, eggs, brown rice, all orange or yellow fruits and vegetables) can help fight acne.

Myth - You don’t need to treat pimples. They will go away eventually.

This is not always true. Most men will outgrow their acne by their late 20s, as a man’s body does not go through many hormonal fluctuations. But a woman’s body goes through major hormonal upheavals during adolescence, later in pregnancy, and once more around the menopausal years. I have seen acne in girls as young as 10 to women as mature as 55! In fact, dermatologists are increasingly seeing women who get a pimple problem for the first time in their 30s or 40s. We even see the occasional male patient who will get large painful acne in their 40s or 50s. It is true that acne is largely a cosmetic concern, unless it is a symptom of an underlying hormonal or reproductive disorder. However, the marks and scars left by acne can last a lifetime and create severe emotional stress. A 15-year-old-boy may not be bothered to treat his acne. But 10 years later, he may blame the scars for ruining his dating prospects. The scars from acne may prevent some from getting a lucrative job in certain careers (say, media, sales and marketing, the hospitality business) where looks and presentation matter. Acne should be treated aggressively in order to prevent scarring.

What’s new in acne management?

Sali-mandelicpeels, azaleic acid peels, modified jessners peel are effective for treating inflammatory acne, provide immediate results. Microdermabrasion can be used to take off the lackheads, whiteheads, open pores.

We have this little device called “Zeno”. This US FDA approved hand-held device looks like a tiny cell phone. It works by delivering a tiny pulse of heat to acne, destroying the bacteria within minutes and drying out the acne. But experts agree that it only works on mild acne.

Are laser treatments helpful?

Lasers are effective in treating complications of acne such as scars, marks, open pores and uneven oily skin. Fractional lasers result in remodelling and repair of the skin and fill up the deep scars resulting in a youthful skin.

Myth - Home remedies and facials are the best and safest treatment for acne

Not necessarily! Turmeric, sandalwood powder, aloe vera and diluted garlic juice work fine for mild acne. But it is a fallacy to believe that herbal means safe. Garlic juice and tea tree oil can burn and irritate the skin. Just as some people are allergic to aloe vera pulp taken fresh off the leaf! A lot of teens use toothpaste as a cheap and easily available acne remedy. Some toothpastes contain menthol or benzoyl peroxide which can reduce inflammation. But the other ingredients in toothpaste can burn and tan your skin, especially if your skin is on the duskier side. Toothpaste can only temporarily reduce the redness of a pimples, so women end up applying toothpaste frequently, or else the zit is back. This is harmful and counter-productive. Toothpastes are meant to clean your teeth, which are hard and tough. Your skin is soft and sensitive and was never meant to be molested by toothpaste!

(Dr Kaur is a Chandigarh-based dermatologist)

Top News

Delhi High Court dismisses PIL to remove Arvind Kejriwal from CM post after arrest

Delhi High Court dismisses PIL to remove Arvind Kejriwal from CM post after arrest

The bench refuses to comment on merits of the issue, saying ...

US makes another remark on Kejriwal's arrest, reacts to freezing of Congress bank accounts

US makes another remark on Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, reacts to freezing of Congress bank accounts

We encourage fair, transparent and timely legal processes, s...

Explainer: Why BJP is flying solo in Punjab and Odisha

Explainer: Why BJP is flying solo in Punjab and Odisha

A multi-cornered contest is always advantageous for BJP; it ...


Cities

View All