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Suggest Treatment For Acne And Scars On Face
Question: Hello Sir,
I am 29 years old guy and suffering from acne and scars since 9-10 years.
The intensity of acne is not fixed and changes randomly. Sometimes there will be 2-3 pimples (including the hard ones) sometimes 7-8 for a week or 2 week..
Most of the pimples occur in both sides of the face at the same spot.
Type of pimples vary from the general white ones to red ones and the hard ones also.
So, this activity has left behind lot of small pits and scars along with the new pimples that come and go.
Have tried topical things like clindamycin, retin-a. Did not try any oral stuff till now.
So, please advise on how handle this situation and restore normalcy on the face.
First priority can be to control the pimples itself from appearing every now-and-then
by means of oral and topical treatments.
Then, please let me know about the lightening and reduction of scars(and small pits) left behind
Awaiting your highly valuable advice.
Regards XXXXXXX
I am 29 years old guy and suffering from acne and scars since 9-10 years.
The intensity of acne is not fixed and changes randomly. Sometimes there will be 2-3 pimples (including the hard ones) sometimes 7-8 for a week or 2 week..
Most of the pimples occur in both sides of the face at the same spot.
Type of pimples vary from the general white ones to red ones and the hard ones also.
So, this activity has left behind lot of small pits and scars along with the new pimples that come and go.
Have tried topical things like clindamycin, retin-a. Did not try any oral stuff till now.
So, please advise on how handle this situation and restore normalcy on the face.
First priority can be to control the pimples itself from appearing every now-and-then
by means of oral and topical treatments.
Then, please let me know about the lightening and reduction of scars(and small pits) left behind
Awaiting your highly valuable advice.
Regards XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Acne treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic
I have gone through your concern and I have understood it.
Acne, there is no one time solution. Treatment if often long.
Once your acne is under control, you need to use a maintenance gel, commonly a topical retinoid, to prevent the new lesions/comedones from developing.
-I usually start my patients of acne on topical benzoyl peroxide gel (e.g Microbenz 3.5 % gel, marketed by Sunpharma in India) OR Clindamycin gel (e.g clin 3 gel or clindac -A gel) for day time use.
-At night I as my patients to apply a topical retinoid e.g either Adapalene OR Adapalene+clindamycin combination. e.g Deriva-cms gel contains topical clindamycin along with adapalene in a gel formulation. While it is mainly used for acne, the retinoid component i.e adapalene increases the skin turnover and consequently decreases the contact time of keratinocytes with melanocytes, therefore it does has a lightening effect on post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
-I also decide to start my patients on oral antibiotics if they have inflammatory acne e.g doxycycline 100mg once or twice daily.
-Use a gentle cleanser for face wash e.g cetaphil cleansing lotion rather than using a soap or face wash.
However, once the acne activity is under control by the above mentioned treatment, I usually ask my patients of Post-Inflammatory acne to use an Azaleic acid gel 10% or 20% gel twice daily. Its main action is skin lightening.
You could also opt for chemical peeling sessions from a dermatologist for both acne (salicylic peel) as well as postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (glycolic peel).
Drinking 8-10 glasses of water and having lots of fruits and vegetables is good for your skin
Hope this helps. I am here to help you with any further clarifications.
Regards
Acne treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic
I have gone through your concern and I have understood it.
Acne, there is no one time solution. Treatment if often long.
Once your acne is under control, you need to use a maintenance gel, commonly a topical retinoid, to prevent the new lesions/comedones from developing.
-I usually start my patients of acne on topical benzoyl peroxide gel (e.g Microbenz 3.5 % gel, marketed by Sunpharma in India) OR Clindamycin gel (e.g clin 3 gel or clindac -A gel) for day time use.
-At night I as my patients to apply a topical retinoid e.g either Adapalene OR Adapalene+clindamycin combination. e.g Deriva-cms gel contains topical clindamycin along with adapalene in a gel formulation. While it is mainly used for acne, the retinoid component i.e adapalene increases the skin turnover and consequently decreases the contact time of keratinocytes with melanocytes, therefore it does has a lightening effect on post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
-I also decide to start my patients on oral antibiotics if they have inflammatory acne e.g doxycycline 100mg once or twice daily.
-Use a gentle cleanser for face wash e.g cetaphil cleansing lotion rather than using a soap or face wash.
However, once the acne activity is under control by the above mentioned treatment, I usually ask my patients of Post-Inflammatory acne to use an Azaleic acid gel 10% or 20% gel twice daily. Its main action is skin lightening.
You could also opt for chemical peeling sessions from a dermatologist for both acne (salicylic peel) as well as postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (glycolic peel).
Drinking 8-10 glasses of water and having lots of fruits and vegetables is good for your skin
Hope this helps. I am here to help you with any further clarifications.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Day time use :
Benzoyl peroxide gel (e.g Microbenz 3.5 % gel, marketed by Sunpharma in India)
OR Clindamycin gel (e.g clin 3 gel or clindac -A gel)
Night time use:
Topical retinoid e.g either Adapalene OR Adapalene+clindamycin combination.
e.g Deriva-cms gel contains topical clindamycin along with adapalene in a gel formulation.
Oral:
doxycycline 100mg once or twice daily.
Cleanser:
cetaphil cleansing lotion rather than using a soap or face wash.
Post-Inflammatory acne :
Azaleic acid gel 10% or 20% gel twice daily.
Chemical peeling :
acne (salicylic peel) as well as postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (glycolic peel).
1. Is there any major difference between choosing Benzoyl peroxide and Clindamycin gel
I mean which one according to you has more positive results among your patients ?
2. I am currently taking Carbamazepine (Zeptol Cr 200), 1 per day in the night
( this was advised a year and a half back my doctor, as i had a blackout once...) Is it ok to take doxycycline along with Zeptol ?
3. Azaleic acid gel: Does it come in the same name or can you please let me know the brand that you recommend
4. Can Azaleic acid 20% be used in combination with Clindamycin or Clindamycin+Adapalene
Is Azaleic acid photo sensitive ? like retinoids ?
How is it different from the peeling acids ?
5. Salicylic peel is for acne ? So, does it mean it can be applied on a active pimple ? I mean when should it be chosen over glycolic peel ? Or both have to be used ?
What %age or concentration of Salicyclic Peel & Glycolic would you recommend ?
6. Apart from the post pigmentation, i have small pits also, u can check out in the pics (may not be clear though)... but they are very small pits but many in number... Could you please advise on how can that surface be made even ?
Benzoyl peroxide gel (e.g Microbenz 3.5 % gel, marketed by Sunpharma in India)
OR Clindamycin gel (e.g clin 3 gel or clindac -A gel)
Night time use:
Topical retinoid e.g either Adapalene OR Adapalene+clindamycin combination.
e.g Deriva-cms gel contains topical clindamycin along with adapalene in a gel formulation.
Oral:
doxycycline 100mg once or twice daily.
Cleanser:
cetaphil cleansing lotion rather than using a soap or face wash.
Post-Inflammatory acne :
Azaleic acid gel 10% or 20% gel twice daily.
Chemical peeling :
acne (salicylic peel) as well as postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (glycolic peel).
1. Is there any major difference between choosing Benzoyl peroxide and Clindamycin gel
I mean which one according to you has more positive results among your patients ?
2. I am currently taking Carbamazepine (Zeptol Cr 200), 1 per day in the night
( this was advised a year and a half back my doctor, as i had a blackout once...) Is it ok to take doxycycline along with Zeptol ?
3. Azaleic acid gel: Does it come in the same name or can you please let me know the brand that you recommend
4. Can Azaleic acid 20% be used in combination with Clindamycin or Clindamycin+Adapalene
Is Azaleic acid photo sensitive ? like retinoids ?
How is it different from the peeling acids ?
5. Salicylic peel is for acne ? So, does it mean it can be applied on a active pimple ? I mean when should it be chosen over glycolic peel ? Or both have to be used ?
What %age or concentration of Salicyclic Peel & Glycolic would you recommend ?
6. Apart from the post pigmentation, i have small pits also, u can check out in the pics (may not be clear though)... but they are very small pits but many in number... Could you please advise on how can that surface be made even ?
Brief Answer:
Acne and scars
Detailed Answer:
Hi
1) Topical treatment of acne mainly revolves around topical antibacterials like clindamycin gel, Topical benzoyl peroxide gel and Topical retinoids. You could use either clindamycin gel (Clindac - A gel) Or benzoyl peroxide gel (Benzac -AC 2.5 % gel). Clindamycin is more suiatble for sensitive skin as benzoyl peroxide is irritatting and drying as compared to clindamycin gel.
2)Can take doxycycline while on carbamzepine although carbamzepine does reduce doxycycline levels.
3)Azaleic acid comes as Aziderm 20% gel.
4)Slicylic acid peel is mainly for acne since salicylic acid is lipid soluble so it enters the pores and breaks open the blockages. Glycolic peel is mainly for post-acne hyperpigmentation and post acne scarring. However, glycolic peels is also beneficial in acne. Salicylic peel is used as 15% and 30%, whereas glycolic peel is used as 20%, 35%, 50% and 70%. The strength is gradually increased as tolerability develops.
5)Various procedures can be performed to improve the cosmetic appearance of acne scars/pits e.g Chemical Peeling, Fractional CO2 Laser, Microneedling/Dermaroller, Subscision, Punch excision and grafting, Dermabrasion etc.
I would advice that you see a dermatologist for a proper assessment of your acne scars and appropriate procedure to benefit your acne scars.
Regards
Acne and scars
Detailed Answer:
Hi
1) Topical treatment of acne mainly revolves around topical antibacterials like clindamycin gel, Topical benzoyl peroxide gel and Topical retinoids. You could use either clindamycin gel (Clindac - A gel) Or benzoyl peroxide gel (Benzac -AC 2.5 % gel). Clindamycin is more suiatble for sensitive skin as benzoyl peroxide is irritatting and drying as compared to clindamycin gel.
2)Can take doxycycline while on carbamzepine although carbamzepine does reduce doxycycline levels.
3)Azaleic acid comes as Aziderm 20% gel.
4)Slicylic acid peel is mainly for acne since salicylic acid is lipid soluble so it enters the pores and breaks open the blockages. Glycolic peel is mainly for post-acne hyperpigmentation and post acne scarring. However, glycolic peels is also beneficial in acne. Salicylic peel is used as 15% and 30%, whereas glycolic peel is used as 20%, 35%, 50% and 70%. The strength is gradually increased as tolerability develops.
5)Various procedures can be performed to improve the cosmetic appearance of acne scars/pits e.g Chemical Peeling, Fractional CO2 Laser, Microneedling/Dermaroller, Subscision, Punch excision and grafting, Dermabrasion etc.
I would advice that you see a dermatologist for a proper assessment of your acne scars and appropriate procedure to benefit your acne scars.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr. Kakkar
Thanks for clarifying that.
I have seen prescriptions for Azithromycin in place of doxycycline and is also considered more effective among dermatologists ?
Is it true ? If yes, then does it have any side effects , which is not seen in doxycycline ?
Thanks for clarifying that.
I have seen prescriptions for Azithromycin in place of doxycycline and is also considered more effective among dermatologists ?
Is it true ? If yes, then does it have any side effects , which is not seen in doxycycline ?
Brief Answer:
Azithromycin
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Azithromycin is very effective for inflammatory acne. Rarely, Azithromycin can produce side effects like loose stools and abdominal pain. This is the most common side effect seen in patients on azithromycin for acne.
Regards
Azithromycin
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Azithromycin is very effective for inflammatory acne. Rarely, Azithromycin can produce side effects like loose stools and abdominal pain. This is the most common side effect seen in patients on azithromycin for acne.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
ok.. so would you suggest me to go for azithro instead of doxy ? you have seen the images of my face ? based on that which one would you suggest ? and as i had discussed earlier, i will be taking it with carbamezapine...
and one morw thing, what would be the dosage for azithro..i mean how much mg tablet and when to take
regards
and one morw thing, what would be the dosage for azithro..i mean how much mg tablet and when to take
regards
Brief Answer:
Acne
Detailed Answer:
Hi
One should take Azithromycin if one has inflammatory acne (papules, pustules, nodules).
Although in the pictures I could not see any inflammatory acne, I could only see post acne scars, therefore you actually don't require it. However in case you develop a flare in future, you may start it. Since it is a prescription drug therefore you must get it prescribed from a dermatologist, if and when you require it.
Dosage would be 500 mg once every 3 days in a week ( e.g if you start today i.e every friday, saturday and sunday of a week for 4-6 weeks, depending on the severity of acne)
Regards
Acne
Detailed Answer:
Hi
One should take Azithromycin if one has inflammatory acne (papules, pustules, nodules).
Although in the pictures I could not see any inflammatory acne, I could only see post acne scars, therefore you actually don't require it. However in case you develop a flare in future, you may start it. Since it is a prescription drug therefore you must get it prescribed from a dermatologist, if and when you require it.
Dosage would be 500 mg once every 3 days in a week ( e.g if you start today i.e every friday, saturday and sunday of a week for 4-6 weeks, depending on the severity of acne)
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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