Your Disease Guide
Patient's Complete Guide to Acne Scars
Overview of Acne Scars
Acne is a chronic skin condition that causes inflamed bumps filled with sebum and dead skin cells. It is most common among teenagers but can also affect adults.
Signs and Symptoms of Acne Scars
Few skin conditions act up when an individual reaches puberty, acne is one of them.
Acne (Mahasey /مہاسے) is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition. It occurs when the hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Its clinical name is Acne Vulgaris.
Once the body reaches puberty, acne appears on the face. The breakout of acne can range from mild to severe. Acne is very persistent and is recurrent. The bumps swell, fill with fluid, and after a few days, deflate. It might or might not scar the skin permanently. Acne causes emotional distress and can be irritating.
Prevalence of Acne
Acne affects 3 in every 4 people from ages 11 to 30. It affects 9.4 percent of the world’s population.
Acne has a prevalence rate of 5% in Pakistan. It is the eighth most prevalent disease globally. It is more common in males than in females.
In Islamabad, the prevalence rate is 14.47% in females.
Adult acne is rare but not uncommon.
Types of Acne Scars
Acne can vary depending on the severity of the condition. The following symptoms correlate with the types of acne:
- Closed clogged pores
- Open clogged pores
- Non-pus red, tender bumps
- Pus-filled bumps
- Large, hard painful lumps under the skin
- Pus-filled, painful lumps under the skin
Causes of Acne Scars
The appearance of acne is termed as ‘breakout’. The most usual area to be affected by acne is the face but sometimes other areas of the body might get affected as well.
Types of acne don’t look the same. It is essential to identify the type of acne to get the right treatment started.
Acne is categorized into two types:
- Non-inflammatory acne
- Inflammatory acne
- Individuals can suffer from more than one type of acne at once.
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Non-inflammatory Acne
Non-inflammatory acne looks like tiny bumps on the skin. It does not swell nor causes any time of inflammation. It is present in clusters, especially around the nasal area.
It is further subdivided into blackheads and whiteheads. Over-the-counter medicine can be used to treat this type of acne.
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Blackheads
Blackheads are also known as open comedones. They are a mixture of dead skin cells and sebum.
The pores are clogged with this mixture, the top of the pores remaining open, and appears to be dark or black. They raise tiny bumps. Hence, the name blackheads.
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Whiteheads
Whiteheads are also known as closed comedones. Like blackheads, whiteheads can also form by the clogged pores of sebum and dead skin cells.
The top of the pores, in this case, close up, showing the exterior of a small bump. Whiteheads are hard to identify and treat because they are already closed.
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Inflammatory Acne
Red and swollen acne showcase inflammatory acne. This type of acne can be caused by sebum and dead skin cells and sometimes by some bacteria.
Bacterial acne causes painful acne that is harder to get rid of because the infection is deep beneath the skin surface. This also means that the acne comes back.
Inflammatory acne is further sub-categorized into:
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Papules
Inflammation breaks down the walls surrounding the pores, resulting in papules. They are not filled with pus and are tender to touch. The skin around the pores is usually pink. The pores are hard and clogged.
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Pustules
Pustules are pus-filled bumps. These are also formed by the breakdown of the wall surrounding the pore. The skin surrounding the pore is read with a yellow or white head on top.
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Nodules
Clogged, swollen pores when irritated or trifled with, grow larger. This is when nodules are formed. Nodules are much deeper in the skin. The deep interior causes them to be treated professionally, rather than at home.
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Cysts
Cysts are filled with dead skin cells, sebum, and bacteria. They form a sac underneath the skin and over time, grow in size. They are often painful to the touch.
Cysts form due to deep infection and are named as the largest form of acne. It can leave a scar.
Severity of Acne
Acne can range from mild to severe depending upon the severity of the condition.
- Blackheads and whiteheads are the mildest forms of acne. They are easily cleared up by toners or spot treatments.
- Papules and pustules are moderate forms of acne. They require an oral or topical prescription.
- Nodules and cysts are the severest forms of acne. They cannot be treated at home.
Risk Factors of Acne Scars
Causes of acne can be common or widespread. Known causes of acne are:
- Clogged pores
- Sebum and dead skin cells accumulation in the pores
- Too much sebum production
- Bacteria
- Inflammation
- Family history
- Hormonal change
- Puberty
- Periods or menstruation
- Pregnancy
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Certain medications
- Friction or pressure on the skin
- Allergy to cosmetic products
- Environmental factors
Prevention
Some of the common risk factors of acne are as follows:
- Age-Acne can affect anyone at any age. But it is more common in teenagers.
- Hormonal Issues-Most of acne outbreaks is common during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and at the onset of puberty. This is mainly due to hormonal imbalance.
- Family History-Genetics plays a primary role in the development of this condition. In case both of the parents have had acne, the child is highly likely to develop it.
- Oily Substances-The chances of an acne outbreak quadruple when the person comes in contact with oily or greasy substances such as lotions or creams. That is why you should make sure that you are consulting with your doctor before the application of such chemicals on your skin.
- Pressure on the skin-This mainly happens because of the long term use of helmets, backpacks, cell phones or tight collars.
Health Complications of Acne
These given below acne complications are more apparent in people who have darker skin tones:
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Scars
Even after the acne has healed, dark pits remain in the skin for a long time period.
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Changes in Skin
The skin may appear a bit darker (hyperpigmented) or lighter (hypopigmented) after the successful treatment of acne.
Diagnosis
Acne is not a chronic condition. With on-time treatment and useful preventive tips, one can fight this condition. Some of the useful preventive strategies are as follows:
- Make sure to properly wash your face
- Avoid dehydration
- Always remember to remove your makeup before bedtime
- Avoid prolonged UV exposures
- Do not pop your pimples
- Limit the consumption of oily or greasy foods
- Exercise daily
- Remember to use moisturizer
Treatment of Acne Scars | When to Consult a Doctor
A simple physical examination is enough for a diagnosis. The severity of the acne is determined to recommend the best treatment plan.
Healthcare Providers
Consult with Best Doctors for Acne Scars
Dr. Maria Ahmed
- 5 Years Experience
- PKR
- Book Appointment
Dr. Zakia Khanum
- 5 Years Experience
- PKR
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Dr. Uswa Chaudhry
- 7 Years Experience
- PKR 1500
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Dr. S.M Siddiq Chawla
- 5 Years Experience
- PKR
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Dr. Anas Ahmed Qazi
- 5 Years Experience
- PKR
- Book Appointment
Dr. Gohar Alam
- 5 Years Experience
- PKR
- Book Appointment
Dr. Madiha Jamshed
- 5 Years Experience
- PKR
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Dr. Samina Saleem
- 20 Years Experience
- PKR 1500
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Dr. Shaista Lodhi
- 14 Years Experience
- PKR 1500
- Book Appointment
Dr. Areeba Jabbar
- 6 Years Experience
- PKR 1500
- Book Appointment
Doctors to treat Acne Scars in Pakistan
- Doctors to treat Acne Scars in Lahore
- Doctors to treat Acne Scars in Islamabad
- Doctors to treat Acne Scars in Karachi
- Doctors to treat Acne Scars in Faisalabad
- Doctors to treat Acne Scars in Rawalpindi
- Doctors to treat Acne Scars in Peshawar
- Doctors to treat Acne Scars in Multan
- Doctors to treat Acne Scars in Abbottabad
- Doctors to treat Acne Scars in Gujranwala
- Doctors to treat Acne Scars in Hyderabad
- Doctors to treat Acne Scars in Bahawalpur
- Doctors to treat Acne Scars in Rahimyar khan
- Doctors to treat Acne Scars in Quetta
- Doctors to treat Acne Scars in Sargodha
- Doctors to treat Acne Scars in Sialkot
Speciality for Acne Scars
Hospitals to Treat Acne Scars in Pakistan
- Dermatologist Hospitals in Lahore
- Dermatologist Hospitals in Islamabad
- Dermatologist Hospitals in Karachi
- Dermatologist Hospitals in Faisalabad
- Dermatologist Hospitals in Rawalpindi
- Dermatologist Hospitals in Peshawar
- Dermatologist Hospitals in Multan
- Dermatologist Hospitals in Abbottabad
- Dermatologist Hospitals in Gujranwala
- Dermatologist Hospitals in Hyderabad
- Dermatologist Hospitals in Bahawalpur
- Dermatologist Hospitals in Rahimyar khan
- Dermatologist Hospitals in Quetta
- Dermatologist Hospitals in Sargodha
- Dermatologist Hospitals in Sialkot