Six months after the city’s first free cosmetology department opened at Government Stanley Hospital, the most sought-after procedure there is for a problem most people battle with at some point — acne.
About 30 per cent of the 2,500-odd patients the clinic sees every month come in for acne treatment, said G.R. Ratnavel, professor and head of the department.
For the milder forms (pimples) that affect the face, chest and back, the doctors at Stanley prescribe ointments and medication. Retinoids, which are vitamin A products, are prescribed, as they help clear acne and reduce outbreaks.
However, patients who have pustules (pus-filled bumps on the skin) and scars left by acne are offered platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment, or the Vampire facelift, as it is popularly known in the West, said Dr. Ratnavel.
“Normal acne does not lead to scars. The problem is, most people break the pimples, squeeze them or try something to get rid of them. This leads to scarring. Over 40 per cent of the acne cases we see have scarring,” he said.
PRP treatment offers a 70 per cent reduction in scars, he said, and is quite popular with patients.
“Most of our patients are women, and between the ages of 18 and 30. We offer them a range of treatments depending on what grade of acne they have,” said Dr. Ratnavel.
Shalini (name changed), a city-based marketing executive, has dealt, on and off, with acne for 15 years. “When the breakouts are particularly bad, I see a dermatologist. A lot of things can lead to acne — from hormonal imbalances to dust and pollution, so it is better to get help if you are prone to it,” she said.
With increased awareness about medical treatments available for acne, seeking medical help for what is generally considered a teenage affliction is now common among men too.
Jayanthi Ravindran, chief cosmetic surgeon, Kauvery Aesthete, said, “We see a lot of men, some with very severe forms of acne. In some cases, skin problems affect confidence, especially in young people. With more awareness about available options and technological advances, like laser offering better results, a lot more people seek medical help now,” she said.
The other popular cosmetic treatments at Stanley are for hair fall and reducing signs of ageing, said Dr. Ratnavel. About six hair transplants have been performed so far.
Since the department's establishment, he said, over 70 patients above the age of 40 have received botox injections in order to look younger.
