Is Acne your biggest enemy – Consult your doctor today.
In discussion with Hemas Hospitals Dermatologist Dr. Nelum Wickramasinghe
Is acne your biggest enemy? According to Dr. Nelum Wickramasinghe, Visiting Consultant Dermatologist at Hemas Hospitals, most patients are concerned about the incurable scars that appear in the aftermath (even a little number of scars would stress them out), than having acne. Those afflicted can become anxious, socially awkward and their damaged confidence could decline workplace productivity.
Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that causes spots and pimples, especially on the face, shoulders, back, neck, chest and upper arms. It is one of the most common skin conditions among Sri Lankans, affecting three in every four people aged 11 to 30 years globally. It commonly occurs during puberty when the sebaceous glands activate, but it can occur at any age.
“Although acne is not taken seriously, in most cases it can act as the main reason for loss of confidence, anxiety and even lead to depression. In my opinion scars which remain after treating acne is the real threat for many people as they are mostly permanent and can only be improved. Therefore, my advice is not to consider acne as a mild disease and start treatments at the first stage by consulting a skin specialist,” Dr.Wickramasinghe stated.
There are a number of reasons why acne can flare up: chemicals based in various cosmetic products and fairness beauty ointments that have high chances of skin irritation. However, stress, high Glycemic diet or poor diet practices could elevate the chances of getting affected with acne. The most common risk factors include genetics, the menstrual cycle, anxiety and stress, hot and humid climates, and using oil-based makeup.
“Treatments done for acne vary according to the severity of the disease. Creams, face washes, tablets, antibiotics, hormonal treatments are often recommended for fairly severe patients and on the other hand for patients who suffer a more severe form are guided to take advanced tablet treatments.”
“Patients who are facing problems due to scars and spots are recommended to undergo chemical peeling or laser treatments. In addition to those, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Derma Roller/pen surgeries are also proven to be efficient for a better recovery. Bothe these surgeries are available at Hemas Hospitals,” Dr. Wickramasinghe explained further.
Hemas Hospitals is armed with the best medical facilities and an excellent team of Dermatologists to guide the patient through their cosmetic clinic. All patients could now unveil best medical treatments for acne and up-to-date interventions for scar and spot treatments that regenerate and improve their skin conditions.
About Hemas Hospitals
Hemas Hospitals (Pvt) Ltd is a subsidiary of Hemas Group, a leading Sri Lankan conglomerate that has business interests in four key sectors – FMCG, Health care, Transportation, Leisure and Strategic Investments.
The multi-specialty hospital chain comprises of 3 full-service hospitals at Wattala, Galle and Thalawathugoda along with 44 fully equipped laboratories and provides community-based expert health care services by positioning its chain of hospitals in strategic locations outside the commercial hub of Colombo. It guarantees patients the highest safety standards backed by full international accreditation and was the first hospital in Sri Lanka to be recognized by the prestigious accreditation body, Australian Council for Healthcare Standards. Hemas laboratories are accredited for ISO 15189 and ISO 9001 standards.
