Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetologist,
Trichologist (La’Mer clinic)
FS: What causes acne?
Dr. Saple: Acne, commonly known as pimples, spots or zits, is a disorder of the sebaceous glands (oil glands.) Whenever there is excessive sebum production (sebum is the oil produced by the sebaceous glands), along with hormonal imbalance there is clogging of the glands, which happens along with dead skin cells forming a micro plug and acne formation.
FS: How Long Will My Acne Last?
Dr. Saple: Acne normally appear at the age of 18-19 yrs of age and may take around 5-6 yrs for the hormonal imbalance to settle and the acne to subside .Adult acne needs to evaluated and treated by a dermatologist.
FS: I never had acne as a teenager. Does this elevate my chances of getting acne as an adult?
Dr. Saple: Adult acne is becoming very common and is one of the most common skin health conditions in adults nowadays. Sebaceous glands are under the influence of hormones, thus the production of acne in adults. Hormonal imbalances lead to acne trigger, thus it can happen to both teenagers and adults. It also depends on family history of acne and lifestyle and habits although to lesser extent.
FS: I wash my face several times a day. Why do I still get acne?
Dr. Saple: Unlike the general perception, you shouldn’t wash your face too many times in a day. This is because it strips the skin of its oil and this mechanically stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. Also avoid exfoliating to prevent irritating the skin. If you must use an exfoliator, make sure it’s extremely gentle and exfoliate only once every other week to once a week in the morning depending on how your skin is reacting.
FS: What is the best way to treat acne?
Dr. Saple: Everyone’s acne must be treated individually. Ideally the best way to treat is by oral isotretinoin and topical retinoids but that will be decided by the treating dermatologist through evaluation.
FS: I have a habit of squeezing my acne …Is it wrong?
Dr. Saple: This condition is called acne excoriate. It is the worst thing to be done to any eruption. The pressure from squeezing the pimple can damage the skin underneath and lead to pigmentation and scarring.
FS: How can I treat my acne scarring?
Dr. Saple: Collagen induction is the best way to treat scars. Treatment options can range from microdermabrasion, peels, micro needling to fractional resurfacing lasers, depending upon the extent and severity of the scars.
FS: Is stress one of the leading causes of acne?
Dr. Saple: Yes, stress is among the most common causes of acne .It can be mental or physical stress in the form of stressful lifestyle ,irregular sleep wake and food pattern or some major illness. Stress causes hormonal imbalance, which stimulates sebaceous glands and eventually leads to acne.
FS: What role does diet play in acne?
Dr. Saple: Acne is not caused by food. For your overall health, eat a balanced diet and avoid high glycemic diet such as breads, cakes puffs, pastries, burgers, fries etc. as this has been associated with worsening acne.
FS: What kind of cosmetics and cleansers can acne sufferers use?
In a cleanser look for key words such as antibacterial and antimicrobial, these are usually foam or gel based cleansers. Acne is not caused by lack of cleansing. In fact, scrubbing your face too often or using harsh soaps can exacerbate the condition. Use of regular Non comedogenic cosmetics is the best solution especially to reduce the appearance of acne, dark spots and scars.
Don’t forget to clean your applicators frequently. Makeup brushes and applicators are can harbor bacteria. Wash all makeup brushes with antimicrobial soap a few times each week
FS: What causes skin hyperpigmentation?
Dr. Saple: One of the main culprit for hyperpigmentation is sun exposure. We may not see the effects right away, but over time you can see uneven patches of skin, particularly in those areas that are frequently exposed to the sun.
Melasma is a condition which causes brownish patches to appear on the skin of the face mostly on the cheeks, forehead, nose and chin (Butterfly Pigmentation). These spots result from hormonal changes either due to contraceptive pills or pregnancy.
Other conditions which can also result to hyperpigmentation include Acne, cysts, burns and psoriasis, friction, chemical peels, lasers, a warm laptop and even bra straps. All these leave marks on the skin when it heals, which collectively are called post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
FS: How can one avoid skin hyperpigmentation?
Dr. Saple: An important measure in protecting yourself from hyperpigmentation is to protect your skin from the sun. Do this by regularly applying a broad spectrum sunscreen that shields the skin from UVA and UVB rays. Apply it thirty minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours. Avoid sun exposure from 10 AM to 3PM because this is the time when the rays are more intense.
FS: What are the treatments for hyperpigmentation?
Dr. Saple: Skin hyperpigmentation actually doesn’t pose any health problems, therefore it does not require any treatment. However, some people are not happy with how it makes their skin look, and fortunately there are treatments available to lighten or remove these spots.
- Cosmetics
- Prescription medications such as hydroquinone, as well as retinoids. Other topical creams that help lighten the skin include ingredients like kojic acid, azelaic acid, retinol, licorice extracts and ascorbic acid.
- Medical procedures
- Chemical peel
- Laser acne treatment
- Microdermabrasion
FS: What can I do for frizzy hair?
Dr. Saple: The main culprit behind frizz is dry hair. It is advised to limit heat-based styling devices, use hair conditioner regularly, and look for products that don’t contain alcohol. Additionally, avoid running a brush or comb through your hair when it is dry as that can make matters worse.
FS: I seem to be losing a lot of hair. Is that normal?
Dr. Saple: You naturally lose anywhere from 50 to 100 strands of hair per day, which can definitely seem like a lot, especially when you’re constantly picking it off your clothes. However, some medications can also create hair loss, as can certain medical conditions. So, if you feel like you’re losing more than you should, you might want to see your physician to rule out other causes.
FS: Does plucking grey hair make it come back in more numbers?
Dr. Saple: Fortunately, the answer to this question is no. However, you should still leave your greys alone as pulling them hurts the roots and opens you up for infections.
FS: Does diet affect hairgrowth ?
Dr. Saple: Absolutely! Your diet can have a huge impact on your hair. You can improve the quality of your hair by eating a diet high in protein, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids.
FS: Importance of a skincare routine
Dr. Saple: Since sun damage increases the risk of skin cancer, as well as skin problems ranging from wrinkles to dark spots, wearing sunscreen on a daily basis is essential. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15. Beyond that, just a few minutes each morning and each evening to do the basics: washing with a gentle cleanser and applying a moisturizer to your face and neck.
FS: How to delay aging of skin?
Dr. Saple: As your skin ages it loses elasticity and collagen and begins to appear wrinkled and saggy. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, and consider using eye creams and other topical products that contain retinoids and antioxidants, which can help improve the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin.
FS: Is daily sunscreen a must?
Dr. Saple: YES! If you care about your skin, wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 is the one thing you can do to protect it most. Sunscreen helps decrease the risk of skin cancer and other negative effects including wrinkles, fine lines, freckles,.
FS: How to manage uneven skin tone?
Dr. Saple: An uneven skin tone is caused by an uneven distribution of the melanin pigment. Sun exposure, hormonal changes and a buildup of dead skin cells can and skin contribute to this issue. Certain serums, creams or moisturizers, especially those that contain vitamin C, and skin exfoliation once a day or every couple of days can all help to even out the skin tone.
You know your skin best. Paying attention to how it looks, feels and acts on a day-to-day basis, as well as how it reacts to different skin care products, is the best starting point to finding a routine that will leave you feeling healthy, rejuvenated and vibrant for many years to come.
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