Medical Dermatology
Acne in Islamabad
Active acne and the marks it leaves
In plain terms
Understanding acne
What it is
Acne is a disease of the oil gland and the pore it drains into. Oil, dead skin and bacteria block the pore, the wall of it becomes inflamed, and the spot you see on the surface is the end of that process rather than the beginning. It is not a hygiene problem and it is not caused by failing to wash.
Why it happens
Hormones drive the oil gland, which is why acne arrives at puberty and why it returns for many women in their twenties and thirties. Your genetics decide how strongly the skin reacts. Some medicines, some cosmetics and conditions such as polycystic ovaries add to it. Diet matters less than most people are told.
What you might notice
Blackheads and whiteheads across the forehead, nose and chin. Red spots that hurt before they surface. Deeper lumps along the jaw and neck that sit for weeks. Brown or red marks left after a spot heals, which are not scars and do fade. True scars are the pits and dips that stay.
How it is treated
The kind you have decides the treatment. Comedonal acne answers to retinoids, inflammatory acne to something that brings the inflammation down, and hormonal acne often needs treatment aimed at the hormone rather than the skin. Stubborn or scarring acne may need oral therapy. The wrong treatment for the right diagnosis simply does nothing for months.
When to get it seen
Sooner than most people come. If spots are leaving marks or dips, if they are deep and painful, or if three months of over the counter treatment has changed nothing, that is the point to be seen. Scarring is far easier to prevent than to repair.
Questions about acne
How long before acne shows a result?
4–12 weeks to see a change. Skin is slow, and anyone quoting you a faster number is selling something.
Who will actually be treating me?
Associate Professor Dr. Lubna Rani Faysal. MBBS (Gold Medalist), FCPS (Dermatology), MHPE, 13 years in dermatology, and Associate Professor of Dermatology, Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi.
Do I need to be seen in clinic, or is video enough?
Send a description and a clear photograph on WhatsApp and she will tell you which. Anything needing close examination or a procedure has to be in clinic, tuesday – saturday, 4:00 – 7:00 pm at F8 Markaz, Islamabad.
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Book your acne consultation
Tuesday – Saturday, 4:00 – 7:00 PM at F8 Markaz, Islamabad. Or ask first on WhatsApp at +92 370 549 7242.
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