Mappin' It Out

Understand your client’s acne before treating it, suggests Tatiana Dias.

Acne is a skin concern that a lot of people tend to face, not only during puberty but also in their adult years. According to the Indian Journal of Dermatology, acne affects 85 percent of teens and young adults. Seen in the form of pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and cysts, acne is essentially caused by clogged sebaceous glands present under hair follicles within the skin. The blocked pores result in inflammation, which is otherwise known as acne. The reason it is purely credited to puberty or hormonal changes is because the skin excretes more oil than usual during this time. Unfortunately, for a lot of your clients, it may not be the only cause.

Dr Madhuri Agarwal, Founder and Medical Director of Yavana Aesthetics Clinic, says, “Other general factors that trigger acne are stress, hot and humid climate, and drugs such as oral contraceptives. Use of cosmetics that are cream based and oil-based can also lead to breakouts in acne-prone skin.”

As salon professionals, acne treatment and prevention is one of the most talked-about skin dilemmas. While acne in general is a big concern, understanding its root cause is a must for treatment. That’s where face mapping steps in.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

“As dermatologists, face mapping helps us in deciding what treatment is required, as we use it as a guiding tool to determine the particular issue,” says Dr Shefali Trasi Nerurkar, MD—skin and consultant dermatologist, Dr Trasi’s Clinic and La Piel.

Dr Agarwal adds, “The biggest mistake people with acne-prone skin tend to make is to self-medicate or take a friend’s advice on over-the-counter products. They might worsen the condition.”