Acne treatment in Gurgaon
Medical treatment for pimples, blackheads, hormonal breakouts and cystic acne, planned by dermatologist Dr. Tanya Kochhar. The aim is to bring breakouts under control early, before they leave dark marks and scars that take far longer to treat than the acne itself.
How is acne treated in Gurgaon?
Acne is treated medically, with prescription creams and, where needed, tablets, supported by peels and extraction. At Le Dermaire, Dr. Tanya Kochhar plans treatment around the type and severity of your acne. Most prescription treatments take 6 to 12 weeks to show clear improvement, with reviews every 4 to 8 weeks and a simple maintenance routine afterwards.
Acne treatment, in short
Typical figures for medical acne treatment. Your plan depends on the type and severity of your acne, your age, and whether a hormonal cause is involved.
What causes acne?
Acne starts in the hair follicle. Hormones called androgens drive the oil glands to produce more sebum, dead skin cells clog the opening of the pore, and bacteria that normally live on the skin multiply in the blocked follicle. Inflammation follows, and that is what turns a blocked pore into a red, painful pimple.
Genetics, hormonal shifts, some medicines, heavy cosmetics and friction from helmets or masks all play a part. Diet has a smaller role than many people assume, though high glycaemic foods and whey protein can worsen acne in some people. Acne is not caused by dirty skin, and scrubbing harder usually makes it worse.
In Indian skin, even mild pimples often leave dark marks (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) that outlast the pimple by months. Controlling inflammation early is the most effective way to prevent them.
What keeps acne going in daily life
Treatment works faster when the habits feeding the acne are found and changed. These come up again and again at consultations in Gurgaon.
Heat, sweat and humidity
Long, humid summers and sweaty commutes or workouts leave oil and sweat sitting on the skin. Washing the face and body soon after sweating and changing out of gym wear quickly helps, especially for back and chest acne.
Helmets, masks and phones
Repeated friction and pressure from helmet straps, masks and phone screens cause acne mechanica along the jaw, chin and cheeks. Clean padding, a fresh mask each day and a clean phone screen make a visible difference.
Supplements and diet
Whey protein and anabolic steroids used for gym training are well known to worsen acne. High glycaemic foods and, in some people, large amounts of milk may contribute. Diet is a modest factor for most, not the root cause.
Hair oils and products
Oiling the scalp overnight, heavy serums and pomades can block pores along the forehead and hairline, a pattern called pomade acne. Keeping oils off the face and washing the hair regularly is usually enough.
Cosmetics and over-the-counter creams
Thick foundations and some sunscreens can worsen acne, and mixed creams containing steroids, often sold for acne or fairness, cause steroid acne that flares when the cream is stopped. Bring every product you use to the consultation.
Stress, sleep and periods
Exam stress, night shifts and poor sleep often coincide with flares, and many women notice breakouts in the week before a period. These cannot always be avoided, but they are useful for planning when to step treatment up.
Types of acne
Acne is not one condition. The type, and where it appears, decides the treatment, which is why the same cream clears one person's skin and does nothing for another's. Most people have a mix of two or three types.
Comedonal acne
Blackheads (open comedones) and whiteheads (closed comedones) with little redness, common on the forehead, nose and chin. It is the earliest stage of acne and the most common pattern in early teens. It usually responds to a topical retinoid, gentle exfoliation and careful extraction; stubborn closed whiteheads may need several months of steady use.
Inflammatory acne
Red papules and pus-filled pustules that are tender to touch. This is where most post-acne dark marks come from in Indian skin. Treated with combinations such as a retinoid with benzoyl peroxide, sometimes with a limited course of oral antibiotics when it is widespread.
Nodulocystic acne
Deep, painful lumps under the skin that last for weeks and carry the highest risk of permanent scarring. Squeezing makes them worse. This needs prompt dermatologist care, and oral isotretinoin is often the most effective option; a very painful single cyst can sometimes be settled faster with a small steroid injection.
Hormonal and adult acne
Breakouts along the jawline, chin and neck in women in their twenties, thirties and beyond, often flaring before periods or after stopping the pill. Signs of PCOS, such as irregular periods or excess facial hair, are looked for, and hormonal therapy may be considered alongside skin treatment.
Acne in men and women
Teenage boys tend to have more extensive, oilier and more severe acne, often on the back as well as the face. Adult women more often have persistent, lower-face acne tied to hormones and cosmetics. Shaving bumps and beard folliculitis in men can mimic acne and are treated differently. The comparison below sets out the differences.
Back and body acne
Acne on the chest, shoulders and back, worsened by sweat, gym wear, tight straps and heavy hair oils running down the back. Benzoyl peroxide washes, topical treatment and sometimes oral medicine are used. Itchy, uniform bumps on the chest and back may instead be fungal (Malassezia) folliculitis, which needs antifungal treatment.
Acne in women and acne in men: what differs?
The biology is the same, but the pattern, the triggers and some of the treatment choices differ.
| Acne in women | Acne in men | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical pattern | Lower face: jawline, chin and neck, often persisting into the thirties and forties. | Forehead, cheeks, back and chest, typically most severe in the late teens. |
| Common triggers | Menstrual cycle, PCOS, stopping the pill, heavy or occlusive make-up, stress. | High oil output, sweat and gym wear, whey and anabolic supplements, helmets. |
| Hormonal tests | Considered when periods are irregular or there is excess hair or hair thinning. | Rarely needed, unless anabolic steroid use or another cause is suspected. |
| Extra treatment options | Hormonal therapy may be considered after assessment, alongside creams. | Hormonal therapy is not used; creams, antibiotics or isotretinoin instead. |
| Isotretinoin | Used when indicated, with strict pregnancy prevention during and after the course. | Used when indicated; no pregnancy-related restrictions, but the same monitoring. |
| Lookalikes to rule out | Perioral dermatitis, rosacea and steroid-induced acne. | Beard folliculitis, shaving bumps and fungal folliculitis on the trunk. |
| Scarring risk | Lower-face scarring and long-lasting dark marks are common. | Severe teenage acne carries a high risk of facial and back scarring. |
These are general patterns. Your own plan depends on the type and severity of your acne, which is graded at the consultation.
How treatment steps up with severity
Acne is graded at the consultation, and treatment is matched to that grade. Moving up a step happens when the current step has been used properly and is not enough; moving down happens once acne is controlled.
Mild: mostly blackheads and whiteheads
A topical retinoid such as adapalene, a gentle cleanser and a non-comedogenic moisturiser and sunscreen. Comedone extraction may be added for stubborn whiteheads. Reviewed after about 8 to 12 weeks.
Mild to moderate: some red pimples
A combination of a retinoid with benzoyl peroxide, sometimes with a topical antibiotic, or azelaic acid where dark marks are a problem. Superficial salicylic or glycolic peels may be added to speed clearing.
Moderate to widespread
Topical treatment continues, and a limited course of an oral antibiotic such as doxycycline is added, usually for a few months only. For women with hormonal acne, hormonal therapy may be considered after assessment.
Severe, nodular or scarring
Oral isotretinoin is considered, with blood tests and monitoring. It is also used for moderate acne that keeps coming back after other treatment or is already leaving scars, because ongoing scarring is a reason not to wait.
Maintenance
Once acne is controlled, tablets are stopped and a simple topical routine, often a retinoid a few nights a week, keeps it from returning. Scar and dark mark treatment is planned at this stage, not before.
How acne is treated at the clinic
A clear plan with regular reviews, adjusted as your skin responds.
Consultation
Dr. Tanya examines your skin, grades the acne and asks about periods, medicines, supplements and your current products. Tests are advised only where a hormonal or other cause is suspected.
Personal plan
You get a written routine: which prescription products to use, in what order and how often, plus what to stop using. Everything is explained so the plan is easy to follow.
Treatment
Medical treatment is the base. Chemical peels and comedone extraction may be added to speed up clearing, unclog pores and fade marks.
Follow-up
Reviews every 4 to 8 weeks to check progress and side effects. Once acne is controlled, the plan is stepped down to a simple maintenance routine.
Acne treatment options explained
Topical treatment is the foundation for most acne. Retinoids such as adapalene unclog pores and prevent new comedones, benzoyl peroxide reduces acne bacteria without causing antibiotic resistance, and azelaic acid calms inflammation while also lightening dark marks. Topical antibiotics, when used, are always combined with benzoyl peroxide.
Oral medicines are added for moderate to severe or widespread acne. Antibiotics such as doxycycline are used in limited courses of a few months. For women with hormonal acne, hormonal therapy may be recommended after assessment. Oral isotretinoin is the most effective treatment for severe, scarring or stubborn acne. It needs a prescription, blood tests and monitoring, and strict avoidance of pregnancy during treatment and for a period afterwards.
In-clinic procedures support the medical plan. Chemical peels for acne, such as salicylic or glycolic peels, reduce oil and clear blocked pores. Comedone extraction, done with sterile instruments, removes blackheads and whiteheads without the damage caused by squeezing at home. Post-acne pigmentation is treated with creams and peels once breakouts settle.
Acne creams or tablets: which do you need?
Most acne is treated with creams alone. Tablets are added when acne is widespread, deep or scarring, and creams continue alongside them.
| Prescription creams and gels | Oral tablets | |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | Adapalene and other retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, topical antibiotics in combination. | Doxycycline and similar antibiotics, hormonal therapy for some women, oral isotretinoin. |
| Who it suits | Comedonal and mild to moderate inflammatory acne. | Moderate to severe, widespread, nodular or scarring acne, or acne on the back and chest. |
| Time to work | Typically 6 to 12 weeks for a clear improvement. | Antibiotics often within 6 to 8 weeks; isotretinoin over a course of several months. |
| Common side effects | Dryness, peeling and stinging in the first weeks, which usually settle. | Antibiotics: stomach upset and sun sensitivity. Isotretinoin: dry lips, skin and eyes. |
| Monitoring | Reviews to adjust strength and frequency. | Reviews every 4 to 8 weeks; blood tests for isotretinoin. |
| Pregnancy | Retinoids are avoided; azelaic acid and some others may be used. | Isotretinoin and tetracycline antibiotics are not used in pregnancy. |
| Long term | Often continued at a lower frequency as maintenance. | Used for a defined course, then stepped down to creams. |
Antibiotics are never used alone or for long periods, because acne bacteria become resistant. Benzoyl peroxide is combined with them to reduce that risk.
Medical treatment or in-clinic procedures for acne?
Peels and extraction are useful, but they support a prescription plan rather than replace it. This is how the two compare.
| Medical treatment | Peels and extraction | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Reduces oil, unclogs pores, calms inflammation and prevents new pimples forming. | Clears existing blackheads and whiteheads, cuts oiliness and speeds the fading of marks. |
| Role in the plan | The foundation for almost every type of acne. | An add-on that speeds results, usually every 2 to 4 weeks for a short course. |
| Works alone? | Often, for mild to moderate acne. | Rarely; acne returns without a routine that prevents new comedones. |
| Downtime | None, beyond early dryness from retinoids. | Mild redness or flaking for a day or a few days. |
| Suits | All grades of acne, with the strength matched to severity. | Comedonal and mild inflammatory acne, oily skin and post-acne marks. |
| Not suitable | Some medicines are avoided in pregnancy, and alternatives are chosen. | Peels are postponed over very inflamed or broken skin, and during isotretinoin. |
Lasers and light treatments for active acne exist, but at Le Dermaire they are not a substitute for medical treatment; procedures such as MNRF and microneedling are kept for scars once acne is quiet.
Acne treatments at Le Dermaire
What is done in the clinic alongside your prescription routine, and where related treatments are explained in full.
Comedone extraction
The skin is cleansed and softened first, then each blackhead or whitehead is lifted out with a sterile comedone extractor, with a fine sterile needle used to open a closed whitehead where needed, so the plug comes out without tearing the pore wall. It suits comedonal acne on the nose, forehead and chin, and stubborn closed whiteheads that creams have not shifted. Expect mild pinkness for a few hours. Extraction clears what is already there; a topical retinoid is what stops new comedones forming, so it is repeated only occasionally.
Peels for acne
Superficial peels are added between reviews to cut oiliness and loosen blocked pores. The peel menu explains which peels suit oily, sensitive or mixed skin.
Read the full guidePost-acne dark marks
Flat brown marks left after pimples are post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, treated once breakouts are quiet.
Read the full guideAcne scars
Dented or pitted scars need collagen-building procedures such as subcision and MNRF, planned after acne is under control.
Read the full guideOpen pores
Enlarged pores often remain on oily, acne-prone skin after breakouts settle, and they have a treatment plan of their own.
Read the full guideDark spots after acne
Stubborn brown spots that remain after acne has settled have a guide of their own, covering creams, peels and laser for Indian skin.
Read the full guideMNRF for acne scars
Microneedling radiofrequency delivers heat through fine needles to remodel collagen under pitted and rolling scars, planned once acne is controlled.
Read the full guideMicroneedling
Collagen induction for shallow scars, texture and enlarged pores, used after breakouts have settled rather than over active acne.
Read the full guideAcne treatment cost in Gurgaon
The cost depends on the severity of your acne, the medicines prescribed and whether peels or extraction are part of the plan. Any procedure is quoted in writing after the consultation, before it is booked.
Treating early costs less
Acne that is left to run its course, or treated with a string of over-the-counter products, often leaves dark marks and scars. Scar treatment takes many sessions and never fully restores the skin. Getting acne under control early is the most cost-effective step you can take.
What to expect from acne treatment
Acne treatment works gradually. Most people notice fewer new breakouts after 6 to 8 weeks and a clear improvement by about three months. Retinoids can cause dryness and a mild flare in the first few weeks, which usually settles. Stopping treatment in that early phase is the most common reason plans fail.
Acne can be controlled very well, but no honest doctor can promise permanently clear skin. Acne tends to come and go with hormones and age, so a light maintenance routine is usually continued after the active phase. The goal is fewer, milder breakouts and no new scarring.
Tell the clinic if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding. Several acne medicines, including oral isotretinoin and some topical retinoids, are not used during pregnancy, and safer alternatives are chosen instead.
Acne myths that delay treatment
Most people try many things before seeing a dermatologist. These beliefs are the ones that most often cost time and leave marks behind.
"Acne is caused by dirty skin"
Acne starts inside the pore, driven by hormones and oil, not dirt on the surface. Washing twice a day is enough; scrubbing harder or washing many times a day irritates the skin and can make acne worse.
"It will go away on its own"
Mild teenage acne often does settle with time, but moderate or deep acne can leave permanent scars while you wait. Scars are far harder to treat than active acne, so waiting is the expensive option.
"Toothpaste and lemon dry out pimples"
Both irritate the skin and can cause burns and dark patches, especially on Indian skin. A pimple dries up because the inflammation settles, not because the surface is dried out.
"Oily skin should not be moisturised"
Prescription acne treatments dry the skin, and dryness makes people stop them. A light, non-comedogenic moisturiser helps the treatment work and does not cause acne.
"Isotretinoin is dangerous"
Isotretinoin is one of the most studied medicines in dermatology. It has real side effects and must be avoided in pregnancy, which is why it is prescribed and monitored by a doctor, but for severe or scarring acne the benefit is substantial.
"Sunlight clears acne"
A tan can make acne look less red for a while, but sun exposure darkens post-acne marks and some acne medicines make skin more sun sensitive. Daily sunscreen is part of acne treatment, not against it.
A daily routine for acne-prone skin
Morning
- A gentle, non-soap or salicylic cleanser, used with fingertips, not a scrub or brush.
- Any morning treatment prescribed, such as azelaic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
- A light, oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturiser, even on oily skin.
- A gel or fluid broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, every day.
Night
- Cleanse to remove sunscreen, make-up and sweat, ideally with a gentle cleanser.
- Apply the prescribed retinoid as a thin, pea-sized layer to the whole area, not just spots.
- Start retinoids a few nights a week and build up as the skin gets used to them.
- Moisturise afterwards if the skin feels tight or begins to peel.
Skin care for acne-prone skin
Helps
- Wash twice a day with a gentle, non-soap cleanser, and after sweating.
- Use a light, non-comedogenic moisturiser, even on oily skin.
- Apply a gel or fluid sunscreen daily to stop marks from darkening.
- Change pillowcases often and clean your phone screen and helmet padding.
- Choose products labelled non-comedogenic or oil-free, including sunscreen and make-up.
- Wash after the gym and change out of sweaty clothes promptly.
Avoid
- Picking, squeezing or popping pimples, which drives scarring and dark marks.
- Harsh scrubs, toothpaste, lemon and other home remedies on the skin.
- Heavy oils and thick creams on the face and hairline.
- Steroid creams or mixed creams bought without a prescription.
- Starting several new active products at once, which makes irritation hard to trace.
- Stopping prescribed treatment in the first few weeks because of dryness; adjust it instead.
When to see a dermatologist for acne
Book a consultation if
- Over-the-counter products have not helped after about three months of steady use.
- Pimples are leaving dark marks or small dents, even if the acne seems mild.
- You have deep, painful lumps or cysts, or acne on the back and chest.
- Acne began or worsened in adulthood, or comes with irregular periods or excess hair.
Also worth checking
- Acne that flared after starting a new medicine, supplement or steroid cream.
- Itchy, uniform bumps that may be fungal folliculitis rather than acne.
- Redness and flushing with pimples, which may be rosacea.
- Acne that is affecting your mood, confidence or day-to-day life.
Acne care led by a skin specialist
Acne looks simple, but choosing the right combination for your acne type, deciding when tablets or isotretinoin are needed, and spotting a hormonal cause such as PCOS all need medical judgement. A dermatologist can also recognise conditions that mimic acne, such as fungal folliculitis, rosacea or steroid-induced acne, which need different treatment.
Dr. Tanya Kochhar holds an MBBS from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, an MD in Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy from MGM Medical College, a DNB, and a post-doctoral fellowship in Aesthetic Dermatology (FRGUHS). She is registered with the National Medical Commission and the Delhi Medical Council.
Acne treatment FAQs
Can acne be cured permanently?
Acne can be controlled very effectively, but there is no treatment that guarantees it will never return. Many people outgrow it, and oral isotretinoin gives long remissions for many patients with severe acne. For most, a simple maintenance routine after the active phase keeps breakouts rare and mild.
How long does acne treatment take to work?
Most prescription treatments take 6 to 12 weeks to show a clear improvement, because they work by preventing new pimples rather than drying up existing ones overnight. Some dryness or a mild flare can occur in the first few weeks. Reviews every 4 to 8 weeks allow the plan to be adjusted.
How much does acne treatment cost in Gurgaon?
At Le Dermaire the cost depends on the severity of your acne, the medicines prescribed and whether peels or extraction are recommended. Procedures are quoted in writing after the consultation, before they are booked. The consultation fee is Rs 1,800. There are no charges that are not quoted to you first.
Is isotretinoin safe for acne?
Oral isotretinoin is a well-studied and highly effective medicine for severe or scarring acne when prescribed and monitored by a dermatologist. Dry lips and skin are common. It requires blood tests and must not be taken during pregnancy, with reliable contraception for women. Dr. Tanya discusses the benefits and risks in detail before starting.
What causes hormonal acne in adult women?
Adult female acne is linked to how the skin responds to androgen hormones, and flares often follow the menstrual cycle, stress or stopping hormonal contraception. It typically affects the jawline, chin and neck. Signs of PCOS, such as irregular periods or excess facial hair, are checked, and hormonal therapy may be considered alongside skin treatment.
What is the most effective treatment for acne?
There is no single treatment that suits everyone. For mild acne, a topical retinoid with benzoyl peroxide is usually the most effective start. For moderate acne, a limited course of an oral antibiotic is added. For severe, nodular or scarring acne, oral isotretinoin is the most effective option. The right choice depends on your acne type.
How many visits does acne treatment need?
Most people need a first consultation and then reviews every 4 to 8 weeks for the first three to six months, until acne is controlled. Isotretinoin courses need regular reviews throughout. If peels are added, they are usually spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart for a short course. After that, occasional maintenance reviews are enough.
Do chemical peels help acne?
Peels such as salicylic and glycolic acid peels reduce oiliness, unclog pores and fade post-acne marks, which makes them a useful addition to medical treatment. They work best alongside a prescription routine rather than on their own. For Indian skin, peel strength is chosen carefully to avoid irritation and darkening.
Will the dark marks left by acne go away?
Flat brown or dark marks, called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, usually fade over months, and faster with treatment. Sunscreen, azelaic acid, retinoids and peels speed this up. Marks that are dented or raised are true scars and do not fade on their own; they are treated separately once the acne is controlled.
Where is the clinic in Gurgaon?
Le Dermaire is at 10P, 3rd Floor, Sector 28, Chakkarpur, Golf Course Road, Gurugram, opposite Phase 1. It is open Monday to Saturday from 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM and on Sunday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Acne treatment on Golf Course Road, Gurugram
Easy to reach from DLF Phases 1 to 5, Sushant Lok, Cyber City, MG Road and Sohna Road. Evening and Sunday slots make regular review visits simpler to keep, even around college or work.
Golf Course Road, opposite DLF Phase 1,
Sector 28, Chakkarpur, Gurugram
Often considered alongside
Acne Scar Treatment
Subcision, microneedling, MNRF and fractional laser for ice pick, boxcar and rolling scars.
Explore 02MNRF Treatment
Microneedling radiofrequency for pitted acne scars, open pores and texture.
Explore 03Microneedling
Collagen induction for shallow scars, texture and pores once acne has settled.
Explore 04Dark Spots Treatment
Creams, peels and laser for brown marks left behind after acne.
Explore 05Chemical Peels
Superficial peels for oily, acne-prone skin, blocked pores and post-acne marks.
Explore 06Pigmentation Treatment
Creams, peels and laser for dark marks, uneven tone and post-inflammatory pigmentation.
ExploreGet a plan that fits your acne
You will leave knowing what type of acne you have, what is driving it and exactly how to use your treatment.