Acne Care Antalya: Pimple Types and Care Approach

What does the current 2024 approach emphasize in acne care?

The current dermatology approach highlights plans that target the mechanisms of acne from different angles, rather than relying on a single product or a single procedure. Pore blockage, oil balance, bacterial load, inflammation, and hormonal effects in the skin are distinct yet interconnected processes. Care must consider these connections.

In the updated acne management recommendations published in 2024, topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, appropriate and limited use of antibiotics, combination care options, hormonal care options, and systemic care for severe or resistant acne are important topics. The core message here is clear: acne care must be personalized.

Why is a personalized plan important in acne care?

Two individuals of the same age experiencing acne problems in the same area can have entirely different care needs. One person's skin barrier might be very sensitive, while another might primarily present with dense comedones and oiliness. In some, hormonal acne might be prominent along the jawline, while in others, inflamed acne prone to scarring might appear on the cheek area.

Therefore, when planning acne care, the following questions should be evaluated together:

• Is the acne inflammatory, comedonal, or nodular?
• Is there sensitivity, dryness, or barrier impairment in the skin?
• Is there a tendency for spots or scars to form?
• Did the acne continue from adolescence, or did it start in adulthood?
• Do the hormonal cycle, stress, cosmetic products, or an incorrect care routine affect the condition?
• What previous care methods were used, and why was an insufficient response obtained?

Güncel Akne Tedavisi Yöntemleri

1. Topical applications

For mild to moderate acne, applications applied to the skin play an important role. Retinoid-containing products can help reduce pore blockage and regulate skin renewal. Benzoyl peroxide-containing applications can help reduce the bacterial load accompanying acne. However, these products must be selected appropriately for the skin type and used without causing irritation.

2. Antibiotic-containing applications

In some cases of inflammatory acne, topical or oral antibiotics may be considered. In the current approach, it is important to avoid unnecessary and prolonged use of antibiotics. To minimize the risk of antibiotic resistance, these applications must be planned under a physician's supervision, for an appropriate duration, and in suitable combinations.

3. Options for hormonal acne

Hormonal factors can play a role, especially in women, in recurrent acne on the jawline, neck, and lower face. In such cases, superficial drying products alone may not be sufficient. In cases of suspected hormonal acne, the person's age, menstrual cycle, accompanying symptoms, and medical history should be evaluated together.

4. Systemic applications for severe and resistant acne

For deep, painful acne, acne prone to scarring, or acne unresponsive to standard care, stronger systemic applications may be considered. Such applications absolutely require physician supervision, blood test monitoring, and regular evaluation. The aim is not only to reduce existing pimples but also to prevent the risk of permanent scarring.

5. Supportive clinical applications

Medical skincare, comedone extraction, spot management, barrier repair, and procedures for acne scars can support the care plan in some patients. However, when active inflammatory acne is present, every procedure must be chosen at the right time and with the right intensity. Aggressive applications performed at the wrong time can increase the risk of irritation, spots, or flare-ups in the skin.

Antalya'da Akne Tedavisi: İklim ve Cilt Bariyeri

In regions with high sun exposure like Antalya, skin pigmentation, sun protection, and barrier sensitivity must be specifically considered when planning acne care. Some active ingredients can make the skin more sensitive to the sun. Therefore, the care plan should include not only acne but also how to protect the skin in the Antalya climate.

At Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüray Hügül's clinic, acne care addresses active acne control, support for the skin barrier, reduction of spot and scar risk, and regulation of the individual's daily care routine. Thus, the patient learns not only about the prescribed products but also how to approach their skin.

Common mistakes made in acne care

• Squeezing pimples or picking at scabs
• Changing products too frequently
• Trying to excessively dry out the skin
• Uncontrolled use of peels and acids
• Not using sunscreen
• Using antibiotics without a doctor's recommendation
• Not taking care seriously before acne scars form

The aim of acne care should be to restore the skin's balance, not to "punish" the skin. Excessively dried skin with an impaired barrier can show redness, sensitivity, and new flare-ups.

Acne scar and spot risk should be managed early

One of the most important goals in active acne care is to prevent the formation of scars and spots. The risk of permanent scarring can be higher, especially in deep, painful, inflamed, and frequently recurring acne. Therefore, it is important to seek early evaluation rather than waiting for it to "pass."

Once acne scars form, laser application, microneedling, peeling, mesotherapy, or various other skin renewal approaches may be considered. However, starting scar care before active acne is controlled is often not ideal. First, the active process should be calmed, and then a separate plan for scars and spots should be made.