Dear readers, in today’s article, I would like to talk about acne and its scars and their treatments.
Acne, which has different forms, is a long-course inflammatory disease of the hair follicle (nest) and adjacent sebaceous glands. Acne, which can be seen in both sexes, all races and age groups, most commonly affects young adults (15-20 years old). Although acne usually develops on the basis of an inherent predisposition, drugs (vitamins, glucocorticoid/cortisone-containing drugs, epilepsy drugs, some antibiotics), cosmetic products, humid environmental environment, dietary habits (processed and high glycemic index foods, milk and dairy products), emotional stress and It can be triggered by factors such as hormonal irregularity.
Acne usually affects the face, but can also affect the neck, chest and back. The disease, which initially presents with blackheads and white spots (open and closed comedones), and later on, with reddened swellings, pus-filled abscesses and cysts with discharge, heals by leaving stains and scars that can seriously affect the social life of the person if not treated properly.
For mild acne cases, medications containing antiseptic, antibiotics and vitamin A derivatives (retinoic acid, adapelene) to be applied (cream, gel, pomade), chemical peeling (salicylic acid, TCA), laser (Spectra) peel, and for more severe cases, Oral antibiotics and isotretinoin can be used. In addition, mechanical cleaning of comedones (comedone extraction), hormonal treatments (birth control pills) in cases accompanied by hormonal disorders, drainage of cysts and abscesses and/or intralesional drug injection are frequently used in the treatment of acne.
I think it is necessary to explain more because drugs used for oral isotretinoin treatment (Roaccutane, Zoretanin, Acnegen, Aknetrent) have a special place in acne treatment. These drugs are vitamin a derivatives that are effective on all stages of acne formation. These drugs, which have some undesirable effects like any drug treatment, should only be used under the supervision of a dermatologist. Your doctor will inform you about the possible negative consequences of the drug and will examine you at the beginning of the treatment and at certain intervals (usually once a month) and want to see your blood tests. The most important issue to know about these drugs is that the drug has negative effects (teratogenic) on the baby in the mother’s womb that are incompatible with life. In this regard, it is necessary not to donate blood while using the drug and until one month after the end of the treatment and to be protected with an effective contraceptive method (only for female patients). These drugs do not have any negative effects on female or male fertility (infertility).
Acne treatment is a process that usually lasts for weeks or months, requiring individualization of treatment by making appropriate transitions between various medical practices. It is the duty of the dermatologist to manage this process correctly.
In my next article, I will continue with acne scars and their treatments. I wish you healthy days.
