Dermatology 

Treatment for Acne

We know that acne really annoys you. At Metro Bangkok clinic, our expert dermatologists will analyze the root cause of your problem and will provide you with the adapted cure.

Our anti-acne products, approved by Thai FDA, are safe and gentle to all skin types, even the most sensitive one. Eliminate all the causes of irritation, minimal to no side effects. Come see us today and experience the result by yourself.

Facts about acne:

All types of acnes are begun with comedones, which are caused by obstruction of skin pores. These comedones may become inflamed and consequently leave blemishes and scars. Comedones can be seen in people of both sexes and all age groups, especially in adolescents and young adults. They are mostly found in the face, the neck, the trunk and particularly the back, where there are lots of sebaceous glands.

Comedones can be noted as blackheads (open comedones) or whiteheads (close comedones). They are both clogged skin pores by keratin; the material that lines the outermost layer of the skin. Squeezing or rubbing them may result in inflammation, which will be aggravated if improperly treated and leave blemishes and scars in consequence. Blackheads (open comedones) are obviously seen in groups. They commonly involve in wide areas of the face, neck, trunk, arms and hips. 

Acnes are generally caused by overproduction of sebum (oily substance from sebaceous glands), which is generally stimulated by Testosterone, a male hormone. This gives rise to blockage of skin pores, which in turn become comedones. In addition, abnormality in skin exfoliation, cosmetics (known as acne cosmetica), steroids, stress and hormonal changes (as seen in peri- or postmenopausal women) can also be the causes of acnes.

There are several methods in acne treatments:

Local treatments by topical agents, available as cream, gel or lotion, are widely used. Treatment efficacy together with skin irritation is higher as the concentration increased. Such irritation will leave the skin dry and flaky.

Oral retinoids, such as isotretinoin (Roaccutane), helps reducing sebum production. It is effective for both facial and body acnes.

Comedo extraction is performed in adjunction to prevent inflammation. Comedones can be treated in several ways. Consultation with expert dermatologists is considered the easiest and fastest way.

Pustular acnes usually run chronic and severe course. They consist of combination of multiple kinds of acnes, appearing as deep-seated abscesses, which cause marked skin damage and scarring.

This kind of acne is characterized by combination of multiple inflamed comedones. It commonly expands gradually and may be sloughed off, or form pustule or abscess. A ruptured one may give rise to keloid, an elevated, continuously-expanded scar with digitate borders. A deeply-located abscess will undergo fibrosis and cause rough and dimpling scar.

The treatment of this acne type usually requires a long period of time and persistence of patients. Frequent follow-up with expert dermatologists is recommended, even symptoms totally subside, to ensure immediate treatment in case of recurrence.

Medication-related acnes are caused by certain medications, which are used as treatments of serious disorders and can be either topically or orally administered. Although such acne is considered as an acceptable complication, physicians may switch to other drugs. Medication-related acnes could manifest as comedones, papules or pustules. They commonly present as papular eruptions on the back, chest and genital area rather than face.

Treatment of medication-rated acnes should be conducted firstly by consultation with physicians who currently take care for primary diseases. The aim is to see if medications can be switch to other regimens or they have to be continued and treat acnes as a complication according to the severity.

Cosmetics-related acnes (acne cosmetica) are caused by skin pore obstruction due to certain ingredients in cosmetics. This kind of acne is commonly seen in 20 to 30-years-old patients. They usually present as small red bumps on cheeks, chin and forehead typically 2-3 weeks after cosmetics use but can take up to several months. The symptom usually subsides after discontinuation.