Acne is the most common skin disorder that is usually found in adolescents. It typically begins at puberty and in several cases, is cured by itself by the age of 22-25 years. However, some patients may complain of severe scarring of the affected parts with lot of pain and itching.

For the effective treatment of acne with scarring, it is important to understand the causes of acne.

 

 

Causes of acne

• Hormones: The several hormonal changes that occur in the human body at the time of puberty are the main culprits in the formation of acne. Also, some females may complain of acne with scarring during pregnancy, due to the hormonal changes in the body during this period.
• Contraceptive pills: Sudden hormonal changes in the body due to stopping and starting of the contraceptive pills can be a triggering factor for acne. For women who are already suffering from acne, this can result in severe scarring, with pain and itching of the affected part.
• Medicines and drugs: Some medicines and drugs can cause side effects and lead to acne in some individuals.
• Excessive use of cosmetics: Greasy make-up can block the pores of the skin, which can result in blockage of sebum. This can cause acne and scarring in some women. Proper care should be taken while selecting and applying the cosmetics to prevent the occurrence of acne.
• Genetic: Several cases of acne are genetic in origin. Also, the severity of acne and its complications like scarring also have a genetic link.

Treatment of acne and scarring

Treatment of acne involves a careful evaluation of diet, a proper use of cosmetics and some medications. The following food items should be avoided by patients of acne with scarring-

• Increased intake of dairy products
• Salty food
• Deep fried food
• Peanuts
• Processed food items
• Food containing complex carbohydrates
• Refined sugar

A diet that will help in the prevention of acne with scarring and give a glow to the skin is given below-

• Fresh vegetables: All fresh vegetables especially green vegetables, carrots, tomatoes and beans are very good for the skin and should be eaten in plenty.
• Fruits: Fruits are very beneficial to the skin and do not contain complex carbohydrates that are harmful to the skin.
• Whole grains: Wheat, oatmeal, pastas, brown rice should be regularly included in the diet to avoid acne and scarring.
• Food rich in proteins and low in fats: Fatty food can increase the oiliness of the skin and aggravate the acne, leading to scarring.

Besides this, it is important to wash the face regularly with plain water to keep the pores of the skin open. This allows the skin to breath naturally and prevents blockage of pores. Also, the excessive use of cosmetics should be avoided. One should be careful while selecting the brands of cosmetics.

Some medicines can help in treatment of acne and scarring in an effective manner. Patients can use Clindapene gel that is a combination of Clindamycin and Adapalene, for treating cases of acne and scarring. Clindapene gel can be applied to the affected part twice daily, after washing the face with plain water. A thin film of the gel should be applied evenly over the entire affected part. While applying, care should be taken to avoid lips, eyes and mucus membranes.  Patients can see the results with this gel within 10-12 weeks of treatment. This is one of the most effectively used topical agents for the treatment of acne and scarring.