Stubborn Acne: FAQs

A lot of our patients, mostly teenagers, are bothered by acne. It is a known fact that acne flares up during our teenage years but even adults can still have it. Other than the physically disturbing appearance of acne, the more pressing concern is the psychological effect it has

especially on teenagers. Some refuse to go to school and have low self esteem. The good news is, acne can be treated. It just takes some effort but results are rewarding.

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about acne:

What really causes acne?

Acne is a disease of the oil glands in our skin. It is caused by a combination of these 4 factors:

1. Hormones that cause secretion of oil from our oil glands

2. Accumulation of oil that blocks the pore (appears as blackheads and whiteheads)

3. Bacteria that goes into the blocked pore

4. Inflammation caused by the bacteria (redness and development of pus)

Can eating oily food, chocolates and peanuts cause increase in acne?

As mentioned earlier none of the causes of acne really relate to food. At present, there is no strong evidence that these foods directly cause the flaring of acne.

I heard that acne eventually goes away after our teenage years, can I just wait it out and not treat it?

It is true that acne improves with age, teenagers experience flares due to the surge of hormones that come with puberty. Eventually, hormonal levels stabilize and acne eventually lessens. However, the most important thing we have to watch out for is the complication of severe scarring. Scarring is permanent and occurs most with acne that is untreated. As Dermatologists, we strongly suggest to treat acne as early as possible to prevent these scars that are difficult and costly to treat.

What is the best way to make my skin smooth and get rid of acne?

The answer is, it varies from person to person. Acne can be classified as mild, moderate and severe and treatment differs depending on the type you have. There are a lot of options, some consist of topical treatments and manual removal of blackheads and whiteheads. Some may need to take oral medications. It is best to visit a Dermatologist so he/she can assess and discuss the best treatment suited for you.

I have a special event to attend tomorrow and suddenly a big red pimple appeared on my face! Is there a quick fix to get rid of it before my event?

Yes there is. The best way is to go to your Dermatologist to have an intralesional injection or "IL" as it is commonly called. A medication is directly injected to the pimple and the next day, the redness and pain goes away.

If you can't visit your Dermatologist, dab the area with an acne preparation that contains 5% benzoyl peroxide or 2% salicylic acid 2x a day until the pimple disappears. Although it is not as quick as an intralesional injection, it can do for the meantime.

Is it advisable for me to just pop my own pimple?

No it isn't. Most of the time, this will cause your pimple to become worse. Also, there is such a thing as the danger triangle of the face.

When a pimple occurs in this area, never try to prick/ manipulate it as this may lead to infection and a complication called Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis, a brain infection that can lead to hospitalization and even coma.