Common Skin Problems & Treatments 💊

Acne Scars

Whenever a breakout penetrates into the skin deeply, it damages the tissue underneath. This causes scarring. To treat your scars, you need to identify its type as each kind responds to different treatments.

Atrophic or depressed scars: These are the most common type of scars on the face. These acne scars sit below surrounding skin and are formed when not enough collagen is made during the healing process. There are three types of atrophic scars.

Boxcar: These are wide, box-shaped scars with sharp edges that may be shallow or deep. Shallow boxcar scars will always respond better to resurfacing treatments.

Ice pick: These are narrow and v-shaped scars that are mostly deep in the skin and look like small holes.

Rolling: These are wide depressions that typically have rounded edges and irregular, rolling appearance.

Dark spots: Any discoloration that is left behind after a zit has cleared aren’t really scars. These aren’t depressed or raised, just a change in pigment and will fade after a few months.

How to treat?
Alpha hydroxy acids
Best for: Dark spots, but these can help with all types of scars.
AHAs treat them by chemically exfoliating the outermost layer of skin, and remove dead skin cells while also preventing clogged pores.

Lactic acid
Best for: All types of acne scars Lactic acid exfoliates dead skin cells, improve the skin texture and evens out the skin tone.

Retinoids
Best for: Atrophic or depressed scars
Along with speeding up the cell regeneration and improving skin texture, retinoids can also help minimize discoloration and make scars less noticeable. But, be careful as they also make the skin sensitive to the sun. So wear sunscreen daily if using anything that contains retinoids.

Salicylic acid
Best for: All acne scars.
One of the most common treatments, you’ve probably already used salicylic acid to treat your acne, as it clears the pores, exfoliates dead cells.

Sunscreen
Best for: Preventing hyperpigmentation (also known as dark spots).
It is important to wear sunscreen everyday as sun exposure can darken acne scars.

For extreme cases of scarring, do not experiment. Visit your dermatologist as they have plenty of treatments like
Dermabrasion
Best for: Shallow boxcar or rolling scars.
It is one of the most common yet effective treatments for facial scarring. The doctor uses tools to exfoliate the top layer of the skin.
Chemical Peels
Usually best for: All acne scars, can help deeper scars.
These are not the kind of masks you apply at home easily. A chemical peel is a strong acid solution that removes the top layer of the skin. You can find these as over the counter products, that are milder but a professional can provide effective results with more efficient results.

Backne

The excess sebum, bacteria and dead skin cells build up, resulting in acne. This can happen on your back just as it does on your face. Here are the reasons behind it.

• Genetics

• Hormone changes at puberty, during menstruation, and pregnancy.

• Sweat

• Stress — of course!

How to treat?
Some home remedies can help you get rid of bacne.

Shower after a workout: If you let the sweat and dirt sit on your skin after a workout, it definitely won’t help. Shower as soon as you can, and do not re-wear sweaty gym clothes.

Exfoliate: A gentle exfoliating scrub with the right ingredients like salicylic acid can get rid of extra dirt and oils from your skin, as well as pore-clogging dead skin.

Wear loose-fit clothing: Tight clothes can trap dirt and sweat. Always go for loose-fitting, breathable clothing instead.

Keep hair off your back: Long hair may add dirt and oil to the skin on your back, so wash your hair regularly and put it up during workout.

Choose sunscreen carefully: Protecting your skin from damaging sun rays is important, especially if you’re exposing your bare back. Opt for products that are oil-free and light on the skin.

Eat healthy: If you’re prone to acne, certain foods could trigger their appearance. Research suggests that foods high on the glycemic index (GI) cause your blood sugar to rise quickly and usually worsen acne.

Medications for back acne: If you’ve tried home remedies but got no results, a dermatologist can prescribe oral medications or medicated creams for treating acne on your back.

Blackheads

Clogged hair follicles cause small bumps on the skin. The dirt and oil get oxidised and turn darker in colour and are called Blackheads. There can be many reasons for blackheads on your skin

• Excess oil production

• Build-up of bacteria or dead skin cells

• Hormones, at puberty or if using birth control

• Certain medications (corticosteroids, lithium, or androgens)

How to treat?
Wash your face as often as you can with a mild cleanser that doesn’t irritate your skin. Get acne products with antibacterial and exfoliating ingredients, such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. You can buy acne medications at drug and grocery stores, and even online without a prescription. Creams and gels- they go directly on your skin and work by getting rid of bacteria, soaking up excess oil, and accelerate the shedding of dead skin cells.

Professionals can also help you get rid of blackheads with manual removal and chemical peel methods. Consult your dermatologist for an effective solution to your problem.

Dark Circles

Dark Circles occur under the eye and can be due to reasons like

• Lack of sleep

• allergies

• dermatitis

• exhaustion

• heredity

• pigmentation irregularities

• scratching or rubbing eyes

• sun exposure

How to treat?
Dark circles most commonly may be hereditary or due to lack of sleep. Everyone is different. Here are some home remedies you can try.

Sleep
Try to get enough sleep consistently, without fail. It may be difficult but the least you can do is try.

Elevation
When you sleep, put an extra pillow underneath your head. This can help lessen any puffiness or swelling.

Cold Compress
Dilated blood vessels darken the area under your eyes, and a cold compress helps constrict those blood vessels. Store your jade roller in the freezer and roll it underneath your eyes as needed for an instant wake up.

Eye Cream
The skin underneath your eyes is the thinnest area on your entire face, which is why there is a difference in eye creams and face moisturisers. Look for soothing and brightening ingredients like caffeine and hyaluronic acid.
Consult a dermatologist for laser therapy and filler treatments.

Uneven Skin Texture

Uneven skin texture is a common occurrence when excess dead skin cells build up on the surface of the skin. But the environment also plays a huge role in skin texture. Dirt, chemicals, pollution and sun exposure can strip the skin of its natural collagen and elasticity, causing it to become dry or rough. Acne scarring is another factor that can cause the skin to have visible marks and uneven texture.

How to treat?
Chemical exfoliants such as BHAs and AHA should be a regular part of your skincare routine. Retinol and other retinoids can also help even out skin texture, but consult a dermatologist and add these to your routine gradually


Microneedling: Small needles that penetrate the skin, triggering the body’s natural healing response. It can help improve texture, reduce fine lines and scarring too.

Hyperpigmentation

This condition causes patches of skin to become darker than the surrounding skin. It occurs when the skin produces excess melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. It can affect any skin type.

How to treat?
Topical Creams Vitamin C in topical creams can help slow down the enzymatic process that is responsible for producing melanin in the skin. It can also provide protection from harmful UV rays of the sun.

Hydroquinone Hydroquinone is found over the counter in concentrations of 2% or less (for severe cases, your dermatologist can prescribe something higher). It blocks an enzyme called tyrosinase in the skin, which helps in the production of melanin.

Kojic acid This is derived from mushrooms or fermented rice, and it inhibits the natural production of melanin in the skin. This acid is best used with hydroquinone for maximum results, but you should always consult a dermatologist before adding something to your skin care regime.

Soy This extract, derived from the soybean plant, helps brighten the skin. Soy works as a dark spot treatment by stopping melanin from entering the top layer of skin.

Azelaic acid A lesser known ingredient and naturally occurring extract from oat, wheat, or rye, it prevents production of abnormal pigmentation.

Whiteheads

Clogged pores cause whiteheads. Hormonal changes can cause clogged pores, which can further increase the dirt and oil in your skin.

How to treat?
Don’t and we repeat, don’t pop them!

Retinoids Vitamin-A derivatives, i.e retinoids, can help keep pores clear by accelerating the skin cell turnover rate. You can find these over-the-counter or visit a dermatologist for a stronger prescription.

Benzoyl peroxide: It kills acne-causing bacteria immediately and can also sop up excess oil.

Salicylic acid: It works to regulate oil production in the skin and also exfoliate the dead skin cells away.