Acne vulgaris

General overview:

Acne vulgaris is an extremely common chronic skin condition involving inflammation and blockage of hair follicles and their sebaceous gland. This disease is typically prevalent among teenagers, but can manifest in any age group. Acne mostly affects the face but can also present in the back and chest.

Treatment options:

• Topical creams: retinoids, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid
• Oral tablets: antibiotics, oral isotretinoin when indicated
• Available medical procedures:
• Chemical peels: one of the most popular methods to treat acne and prevent scarring using different acids like salicylic acid (SA peel), Glycolic acid and Jessner®
• Intradermal injections: regulate sebum, reduce acneand blemishes, and decrease inflammation of the skin
• Lasers: PDL (yellow laser) is an excellent modality to treat inflamed acne, while fractional laser is used to decrease scarring.