It is no secret that everyone dreams of having perfect smooth skin, and many even work hard enough to achieve one. The ongoing international “glass skin” trend and the seemingly unnatural, perfect faces of models looking like dolls, add to the desire of having clear skin.

With all this passion for having clear skin, does your confidence go for a toss looking at the blemishes on your face? Be sure that you are not alone. The majority of people endure low self-esteem due to these imperfections on the skin. However, with advancements in medicine and science, there are many treatments available to manage blemishes. But before getting treated, one needs to be aware of their skin.

To start with, let’s understand what exactly is a blemish. A blemish is any type of spots, discoloration, mark or flaw on the skin. There are many types of blemishes like acne, rash, age spots, birthmarks, melasma, etc. that this article will be covering

Acne

Acne (acne vulgaris) is a skin condition that happens when hair follicles become obstructed with oil and dead skin cells. It is most common among teenagers, but it affects people of all ages. 

Causes – Acne is usually caused due to hormonal changes, high-stress levels, allergy to certain medications or skincare products, sun, poor hygiene, and, last but not least, an unhealthy diet.

Treatment – Acne, if not severe, can be treated by home remedies. But when the acne is moderate to severe and reoccurring, they need particular medical intervention. Dermatologist – a skin specialist is the right person to seek helps in treating acne. Depending on the type and severity of acne, doctors can use different acne treatment procedures like antibiotics, chemical peels, or both as part of treatment.

Birth Marks

A birthmark is a natural, harmless skin irregularity already existing at birth or develops quickly following birth—generally in the first month. They are present anywhere on the skin and caused by blood vessels overgrowth, smooth muscle, fat, keratinocytes, etc. Birthmarks are of different colors like brown, gray, black, and sometimes blue. Moles present from birth or occurred just after birth are also considered as the birthmark.

Causes – It is not fully explained why some babies have birthmarks while others don’t. Different types of birthmarks have different causes. Some birthmarks develop if blood vessels do not form well. This can cause birthmarks like strawberry hemangioma, deep hemangioma, etc. Other birthmarks like moles or spots appear when melanocytes – cells that define the color of our skin clump together.

Treatment – Most birthmarks are harmless. Though, if they are causing health issues, or a person wants to get it removed due to cosmetic purposes, a doctor may advise treatment. Depending upon the severity and reason to get birthmark or moles and skin tag removed, a dermatologist may suggest birthmark removal treatment like laser therapy, surgery, specific injections, etc.

Age Spots

Age spots, also termed as liver spots, are more common in people over the age of 40.

Causes – Too much sun exposure leads to overactive skin pigment cells. This hastens the generation of melanin in specific sections of the skin, leaving harmless age spots.

Treatment – Applying doctor prescript bleaching creams solely or along with retinoids and a mild steroid might slowly decrease the spots. Consult skin doctor for the proper and right treatment.

Melasma

Melasma condition occurs due to the excess production of skin pigment, i.e., melanin. It is identified by dark patches on the skin.

Causes – exposure to the sun, birth control pills, pregnancy or hormonal abnormalities

Treatment – dermatologist considering the severity of the condition will suggest topical treatment & Oral medications. Depending on the need, the doctor may recommend laser, chemical peels, and microneedling.