Explore effective acne treatments, from topical medicines to specialized procedures like lasers. Learn about management strategies and the advanced care offered at LIV Hospital.

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Acne: Treatment And Management

Acne treatment and management rely on a step-wise approach based on the severity of the lesions, starting with topical treatments and escalating to systemic (oral) medications for more serious cases.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

LIV Hospital provides advanced, minimally invasive procedures that work quickly to calm severe inflammation and address the dark marks left behind by acne. These specialized treatments are crucial parts of effective management and accelerate skin recovery.

  • Chemical Peels: A chemical solution is applied by a dermatologist to gently exfoliate the skin’s surface. This process clears blackheads, unclogs pores, and speeds up the fading of post-inflammatory dark marks and blemishes, resulting in smoother skin texture.
  • Steroid Injections: For painful, swollen, cystic blemishes, a specialist injects a small amount of anti-inflammatory steroid directly into the lesion. This procedure quickly reduces the size, pain, and redness of the cyst, which is critical for preventing deep, permanent scarring.
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Medical Treatment Options

DERMATOLOGY

Acne management involves using medication to target the root causes: excess oil, clogged pores, and bacteria. The treatment approach is stepped up based on the severity of the acne, from mild surface blemishes to deep, painful cysts. Treatment must be followed precisely and consistently.

Topical Medications: 

For mild to moderate acne, creams are the first line of defense. These typically include retinoids (Vitamin A derivatives) to clear pores and increase cell turnover, and Benzoyl Peroxide to effectively kill the bacteria on the skin surface. These are often combined with topical antibiotics.

Oral Medications: 

Moderate to severe acne requires internal treatment. This includes oral antibiotics to quickly reduce body-wide inflammation, and the potent medication oral Isotretinoin. This drug is highly effective as it drastically reduces the size and oil production of the sebaceous glands, often leading to a long-term cure.

Hormonal Agents: 

For women with hormone-driven acne, a dermatologist may prescribe anti-androgen medicines or specific types of birth control pills. These medications work by blocking the effects of hormones that cause the oil glands to overproduce sebum.

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Surgical Treatments for Acne

DERMATOLOGY

While traditional surgery is not used for acne, specialized, minor surgical procedures are essential for correcting permanent acne scars that affect skin texture. These are a major component of long-term management of skin appearance.

  • Microneedling: This procedure involves using a device with tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the scarred skin. This mechanical injury stimulates the production of new collagen, gradually smoothing shallow and rolling scars over a series of treatments.
  • Laser Resurfacing: Advanced fractional lasers are used to treat tough, deep scars. The laser energy removes microscopic columns of damaged tissue, triggering the body’s healing response to build new, healthy collagen. This is highly effective for lifting and blending deep boxcar or ice pick scars
  • Acne Extraction (Comedone Removal): The doctor uses a sterile instrument (comedone extractor) to carefully and manually remove blackheads and whiteheads. The main aim is to quickly clear the skin and speed up the healing process.
  • Intralesional Corticosteroid Injection: A very small, dilute amount of a steroid (like triamcinolone) is injected directly into a large, inflamed cyst or nodule. Certainly, the steroid works immediately to reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling, causing the lesion to flatten and heal faster, thus dramatically reducing the chance of permanent scarring.

Surgical Treatments for Acne

While traditional surgery is not used for acne, specialized, minor surgical procedures are essential for correcting permanent acne scars that affect skin texture. These are a major component of long-term management of skin appearance.

  • Microneedling: This procedure involves using a device with tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the scarred skin. This mechanical injury stimulates the production of new collagen, gradually smoothing shallow and rolling scars over a series of treatments.
  • Laser Resurfacing: Advanced fractional lasers are used to treat tough, deep scars. The laser energy removes microscopic columns of damaged tissue, triggering the body’s healing response to build new, healthy collagen. This is highly effective for lifting and blending deep boxcar or ice pick scars
  • Acne Extraction (Comedone Removal): The doctor uses a sterile instrument (comedone extractor) to carefully and manually remove blackheads and whiteheads. The main aim is to quickly clear the skin and speed up the healing process.
  • Intralesional Corticosteroid Injection: A very small, dilute amount of a steroid (like triamcinolone) is injected directly into a large, inflamed cyst or nodule. Certainly, the steroid works immediately to reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling, causing the lesion to flatten and heal faster, thus dramatically reducing the chance of permanent scarring.

What to Expect After Treatment

After acne treatment begins, patience is key, as skin improvement takes time. You should expect several common side effects before your skin clears up.

  • Skin Irritation: Strong topical creams, especially retinoids and Benzoyl Peroxide, often cause initial redness, dryness, and peeling. Your dermatologist will advise you on using gentle moisturizers to manage this side effect while your skin adjusts to the medication.
  • Delayed Results: Visible results often take 4 to 8 weeks. For severe cystic acne, the full course of oral Isotretinoin treatment often lasts 5 to 9 months before maximum effectiveness is seen. You must not stop treatment early.
DERMATOLOGY

Why Choose LIV Hospital for Dermatology?

LIV Hospital’s Dermatology Department excels in complex acne management by combining a precise diagnostic approach with state-of-the-art procedural technology. We achieve superior outcomes in scar correction by combining techniques like radiofrequency microneedling with specialized laser therapies. We ensure every patient receives a personalized, multi-stage treatment plan designed to clear active acne, prevent future breakouts, and correct existing scarring, prioritizing safety and patient confidence.

Rehabilitation and Recovery

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Acne recovery focuses on the healing of skin tissue and managing the side effects of strong medication. Successful management requires a commitment to consistency, as results take time to appear.

  • Timeline Expectations: Patients must follow their medication regimen for 4–8 weeks before seeing clear results. Treatment for severe cystic acne often lasts many months. Scar correction procedures typically require multiple sessions spaced several weeks apart, with full results visible months later.
  • Post-Procedure Care: After procedures like lasers or deep peels, the skin will be red and sensitive. Diligent application of high-SPF sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and gentle moisturizers is essential for safe healing and to prevent hyperpigmentation (dark spots).

Long-term Management and Follow-up

Acne is chronic, and long-term management is the most important step in preventing recurrence. Once active breakouts are controlled, a maintenance plan is necessary to keep pores clear and stable.

  • Maintenance Regimen: The cornerstone of long-term prevention is often the continued use of a topical agent, such as a low-strength retinoid cream, several nights a week. This keeps the pores open and prevents the initial micro-clogging that starts the acne cycle.
  • Monitoring Protocol: Regular follow-up appointments allow the dermatologist to monitor the skin, adjust the maintenance dosage if needed, and quickly address any new issues before they can develop into painful, scarring breakouts.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the treatment options for Acne?

Treatment options range from topical creams (retinoids, Benzoyl Peroxide) to oral medications (antibiotics, Isotretinoin) and specialized procedures like laser resurfacing and chemical peels for scarring.

Most medical treatments require 4–8 weeks to work. Comprehensive treatment for severe acne and subsequent scar correction can take 6 months to over a year, with ongoing maintenance.

Traditional surgery is not used for acne. However, minor surgical procedures, like punch excision and subcision, are used by dermatologists to effectively treat and correct deep, pitted acne scars.

Common prescription medications include topical retinoids, oral antibiotics (Doxycycline), and the powerful systemic drug Isotretinoin, which treats severe, scarring acne.

You can expect temporary skin irritation and dryness from the medication. Recovery from scar treatments involves redness and sun sensitivity for days or weeks, requiring strict sun avoidance.

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