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Acne is a skin condition caused when your hair follicles are plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It is typically seen on the face, upper back, neck, chest, and shoulders. Acne usually affects teenagers and young adults, but older adults may also be affected. While the severity varies between people, acne generally affects mental health and can make your social and professional life suffer.

Acne is caused when the sebum (an oily lubricating substance produced by sebaceous glands on the skin) is produced in excess and mixes with the dead skin cells on your skin. This can cause blockage of your hair follicles. When the normally harmless bacteria that live on your skin infect or contaminate this plug, acne is formed as a result.

You might wonder if what you have is pimples or acne or whether they are both the same. Acne is just pimples multiplied. So if you have the odd pus-filled bump, you probably just have a pimple or a couple of them. Acne is a condition where you have multiple pus-filled or infected bumps spread across your skin. If you want more details on deciding what type of acne you have, you can consult a doctor virtually here on iCliniq First.

It is a bit of a stretch to say “cured” in relation to acne. Acne can certainly be treated quite effectively. A lot of people who have made dietary changes that focus on gut health and incorporated hydrating and skin-healing products in their skincare routine have maintained that acne can be cured. However, acne can be due to a variety of factors, so it could crop up at any time for multiple reasons. It is important to follow a consistent skincare routine, stay hydrated, and incorporate healthy habits and lifestyle changes to improve your skin health and stay relatively spot-free.

You can avail certain prescription drugs for acne via iCliniq First. However, please note that we only prescribe specific drugs, and only for eligible patients. For more information on available drug options or your eligibility for them, consult a doctor at iCliniq First.

A lot of over-the-counter medications may be available to you, and while some of them may work, some may not. Look for products containing active acne-fighting ingredients or that dry out the excess oil on the skin surface and cause peeling. However, do not use every product you come across because many will do nothing to help. Consider consulting a doctor for prescription medications that will work for your condition better than over-the-counter products.

Treatment for acne may vary depending on the type, severity, and individual factors. If you’re concerned or confused, speak with one of our doctors who will provide you with an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan. If you have been using a bunch of over-the-counter products for over three weeks without any improvement, reach out to a healthcare provider for a healthier, better skin soon.

There are prescription medications that help lighten acne scars. Some good options are topical Retinoids and Azelaic acid. Alternatively, you could opt for in-office procedure like dermabrasion, laser treatment, or chemical peels. You might even consider botox or needling if a doctor deems it necessary.

• Wash the affected area with a mild and gentle cleanser, then pat dry.
• Apply a small amount of the spot treatment over the affected area and rub it in. Do this twice a day.
• Ideally, apply the spot treatment to a clean and dry area and follow that up with a moisturizer to improve penetration. Wait two to five minutes after applying the spot treatment to apply a moisturizer or serum.

Pimple patches could work for you if you use them on the right kind of lesion. They are meant to be used on active pimples, not on closed lesions or comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). Acne patches contain hydrocolloid (wound healing gel) and may help reduce inflammation. However, they do not prevent acne or work on cystic acne or severe acne breakouts.

Drinking lots of water can help in the skin-healing process because it provides benefits like reducing pore-clogging bacteria and toxins on the skin, promoting collagen production and skin rejuvenation through its moisturizing properties, and controlling blood sugar levels to reduce toxicity and acne.