Acne - Not Just A Problem For Teenagers

Acne is one of the most common and troublesome skin problems in the world. There is hardly any person who can claim to never have suffered an acne bout in their lives. Most acne flares up with the first hormonal changes of a human’s life during puberty and the teenage years. It clears up as the 20s begin, and it is the end of the matter for most people.

But others seemingly carry the ‘acne curse’ well into adulthood and even middle age. Adult acne is caused by a combination of factors: hormonal changes, poor diet, excessive sebum secretion, poor skin hygiene, low skin immunity, early aging, sensitivity to environmental factors, use of antibiotics, habits like smoking and alcohol consumption, lack of good quality sleep, etc. In some cases, there may be a need to implement a severe acne treatment such as Isotretinoin, which is increasingly being recommended in the Gulf.

What is the Isotretinoin treatment?

There are several medications used by dermatologists all over the world, primarily to correct and regulate irregularities. However, few are as potent as Isotretinoin in treating severe acne.

Isotretinoin is a medication that may be consumed in tablet form, or applied topically, as per the severity of the acne. It is a powerful substance that has a high success rate in treating stubborn acne that forms scars and pits on the skin’s surface. This is how it works:

• It offers a two-step cleansing and rebuilding ability. In the first stage of use, it shrinks the oil glands in the skin by more than half, so excess sebum production is dramatically reduced. In fact, the first effect is that sebum production is reduced by over 80%. When there is no excess sebum, the chances of acne, blackhead and whitehead build-up are also reduced.
• While this is happening, Isotretinoin also works on the acne-causing bacteria present in the skin. These bacteria survive by feeding on the excess sebum at the base of the hair follicles in the skin. Thus, not only is the oil secretion reduced but also the agents that cause acne are destroyed. Meanwhile, inflammation caused due to blocked pores is also taken care of – thus, there are no pits or scars left behind at the site of potential acne.
• In the second step, Isotretinoin boosts the production of collagen. Collagen is the primary protein for creating healthy skin. With the density of collagen increased, the skin becomes more elastic and skin repair and restoration processes are also accelerated. The dermatologist may also administer Isotretinoin topically to cause exfoliation of the upper layer of the skin. Thus, fresh new skin is revealed with the treatment.

However, be aware of the side effects…

The treatment can take up to 8 months to show its full effects. But do note that Isotretinoin is a powerful medication and it has several side effects. Since it is most often ingested for the best results, you can expect to experience:

• Severe headaches, neurological events of unspecified severity, reduced blood flow to the brain
• Vision problems
• Nose bleeds
• Hair loss or overgrowth of hair on the face
• New skin problems such as hives, eczema, rawness of skin, oozing skin
• Chipping or thickening of nails
• Weakness or breakdown of muscle tissues
• Bone calcification or overgrowth
• Reduced platelet count, reduced iron levels in blood, lower white blood cells
• Changes in menstrual cycle. This treatment is dangerous for pregnant women
• Negative effects on the major organs of the body

It naturally follows that Isotretinoin must be administered as a severe acne treatment only at the hands of an experienced dermatologist. It is crucial that the doctor understands your medical history and current medication, and studies the same in detail before deciding on using Isotretinoin for severe acne treatment. The side effects and working of the medication must be explained in full before proceeding.

If you are not the right fit for Isotretinoin, the doctor may recommend other acne treatments like Salicylic peels, Blue Light therapy, etc. These are milder treatments and may take a bit longer to show lasting effects. However, it is in your health interests to opt for acne treatment that will not cause adverse impacts on your health, while also tackling stubborn acne the right way.

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amrina alshaikh Joined: April 23rd, 2018