The document discusses various skin blemishes, their causes, and treatment options, categorizing them into types such as acne, hyperpigmentation, age spots, melasma, birthmarks, cold sores, and scars. It highlights that while many blemishes are harmless, some may indicate serious conditions like skin cancer and should be treated promptly. Treatment approaches vary from over-the-counter medications to laser therapy and surgery, depending on the specific type of blemish.

1. COSMETIC PROBLEMS
ASSOCIATED WITH SKIN
❑ BLEMISHES
Presentation by:
Mrs. Neha Shivathaya
Department of Pharmaceutics
Rani Chennamma College of Pharmacy, Belagavi-10

2. Blemish
Blemish is the term for any mark on the skin. There are many different types of
blemish.
Most blemishes are harmless, but some people may wish to treat them for
cosmetic reasons.
Certain blemishes may indicate an underlying condition, such as skin cancer,
which requires prompt medical treatment.
In this ppt, we outline the different types of blemish that people may have and
the treatment options available in each case.

3. There are many different types of skin
blemish. Some examples include
those below.
1. Acne
Acne is a skin condition that occurs as
a result of the skin producing too
much oil. Different factors can cause
excess oil production, including:
overactive oil glands, hormonal
changes during puberty, menstruation,
or the menopause, stress, anxiety, or
depression, which can also affect
hormones.

4. There are several different types of acne, which vary in their appearance. Some
examples include:
• Blackheads
Blackheads are small, dark spots on the surface of the skin. They resemble trapped dirt
but actually consist of oil that has become stuck inside the pore. When this oil reacts
with air, it becomes black.
• Whiteheads
Whiteheads are small, round blemishes that are white or skin-colored. They develop as
a result of oil and dead skin cells blocking the pores.
• Papules
Papules are small, hard, red bumps on the skin. These develop when excess oil,
bacteria, and dead skin cells travel deeper into the skin, causing inflammation.
When lots of papules cluster together, this can give the skin a rough, sandpaper-like
texture.

5. • Pustules
Pustules are raised, red spots that contain yellow or white pus. They occur when oil,
bacteria, and dead skin cells collect under the skin, causing infection.
• Cystic Nodules
Nodules are large skin blemishes that develop when a pore becomes clogged. Oils mix
with dead skin cells and bacteria that then become trapped deep in the skin. The
excess oil and bacteria lead to infection and inflammation inside the skin.
This type of skin blemish can cause acne scarring.
• Acne cysts
A break in the lining of a pore can cause oil and bacteria to spread to the surrounding
skin. An acne cyst is a membrane that has formed around the infected area.
Cysts appear as large, swollen, red blemishes. They may be very painful to the touch.
Like nodules, cysts can cause permanent acne scarring.

6. 2. Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a type of blemish that appears darker than other areas of skin. It
is common and usually harmless.
Hyperpigmentation can occur as a result of genetic factors, sun damage, or acne
scarring.
Freckles are a type of hyperpigmentation that a person can inherit the tendency to
develop. They are small, flat spots that may be red, brown, tan, or black. They can
appear anywhere on the body.
Sunspots or “age spots” are another type of hyperpigmentation. These small spots or
patches can develop on areas of the skin that get a lot of sun exposure.
Acne scarring can also cause dark spots to remain on the skin once the acne has cleared.

7. 3. Age spots
Age spots are small, flat dark areas on the skin. They vary in size and usually appear
on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders and arms. Age spots
are also called sunspots, liver spots and solar lentigines. Age spots are very common
in adults older than 50, but younger people can get them if they spend time in the
sun.
Age spots can look like cancerous growths. Age spots may affect people of all skin
types, but they're more common in adults with light skin. Unlike freckles, which are
common in children and fade with no sun exposure, age spots don't fade. Age spots
are caused by overactive pigment cells. Ultraviolet (UV) light speeds up the
production of melanin, a natural pigment that gives skin its color. On skin that has had
years of sun exposure, age spots appear when melanin becomes clumped or is
produced in high concentrations.

8. 4. Melasma
Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation that can develop during pregnancy or when
a person takes birth control pills.
The hormonal changes that take place lead to an increase in melanin. Melanin is the
pigment that gives skin its coloring. The overproduction of melanin can make the skin
darker.
Ingrown hair
Sometimes, hairs can curl back on themselves or grow sideways into the skin, which
can result in red, itchy bumps forming. Doctors refer to these skin blemishes as
ingrown hairs.
Hair removal techniques, such as waxing, shaving, or plucking, can all cause ingrown
hairs.

9. 5. Birthmarks
Birthmarks are blemishes that appear on the skin of a newborn baby. They can
appear either at birth or shortly afterward. Some birthmarks disappear over time,
while others may be permanent. There are two types; pigmented and vascular.
Pigmented birthmarks: As the name suggests, pigmented birthmarks are caused by
an overgrowth of melanin-producing cells in a specific area of the skin. These
birthmarks are typically black or brown in color. The intensity of their pigmentation
depends upon the extent of melanin overabundance underneath the skin.
Vascular birthmarks: on the other hand, vascular birthmarks develop when there is
an abnormal growth or malformation of blood vessels underneath the skin. These
birthmarks can appear purple, pink or red.

10. 6. Cold sores
Cold sores are painful, red, fluid-filled blisters that form on the lips or around the
mouth. They occur as a result of infection with the herpes simplex virus.
Cold sores are highly contagious, so people should avoid intimate contact with others
until the sores have healed to avoid passing the virus on.
7. Scars
Scarring of the skin occurs when the dermis layer becomes damaged. The dermis is the
deep layer of skin where small blood vessels (capillaries), sweat glands, hair follicles,
and nerve endings are located. Anything that causes the skin to open can lead to
scarring, such as a wound or popped pimples.

11. Causes of blemishes
1. Viruses
Some blemishes, like cold sores, are caused by viruses, such as HSV-1. The varicella-
zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox.
2. Infections
Certain types of skin infections can cause blemishes to erupt on the skin. These
include malassezia folliculitis (fungal acne), an infection in the hair follicles. This
condition is caused by an overgrowth of yeast and causes pustules to form.
3. Genetics
Acne may have a genetic link. Certain hereditary conditions can also cause
blemishes to occur. These include:
Darier disease. Wartlike blemishes form on the skin that are oily, smelly, and hard to
the touch.
Fabry disease. This is an inherited disorder that involves a gene mutation. Small
groupings of dark, red spots are a symptom.

12. 4. Sun exposure
Overexposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) A and B rays can cause skin
cancer, hyperpigmentation, and other forms of skin damage.
5. Clogged pores
An overproduction of oil by the sebaceous glands can cause blemishes. Hormonal
changes often trigger this overproduction, such as puberty. Excess oil can mingle
with dead skin cells, dirt, or bacteria. This results in pimples, pustules, blackheads,
and whiteheads to form. Pores can become clogged from products, such as makeup,
sunscreen, or moisturizers. Look for products labeled as non comedogenic. These
are designed to not clog pores. Environmental toxins, such as dirt, car exhaust, and
pollution, can sit on your skin, mingle with oil, and clog pores. You can also transfer
dirt and bacteria onto your face by touching your face with your hands.

13. 6. Diet
What you eat might have an impact on your skin. Food allergies and contact
dermatitis can both cause skin irritation and bumps. Dairy products, such as skim milk,
may cause acne. Diets high in sugar and simple carbohydrates may also lead to
blemishes.
7. Medications
Some prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications may cause acne as a side
effect. These include:
corticosteroids
androgenic steroids
lithium
antiseizure drugs

14. Treatments of Blemishes
Although many types of skin blemish do not require treatment, some people may
wish to treat them for cosmetic reasons. The type of skin blemish will determine the
treatment options.
1. Acne treatment
People may be able to treat acne blemishes with topical creams, such as benzoyl
peroxide. These products can help dry out the skin and get rid of acne-causing
bacteria. Washing the face twice daily with a cleanser containing benzoyl peroxide
or salicylic acid can help treat certain types of acne. In addition, medications called
retinoids may help unclog the pores. Acne treatments can take time to have a
noticeable effect. People may need to wait 6–8 weeks for them to work.
For persistent acne, a dermatologist may suggest a topical or oral prescription
medication. Some prescription treatments for acne and hyperpigmentation can
cause side effects.

15. 2. Hyperpigmentation and melasma treatment
The following treatments may help reduce hyperpigmentation and melasma:
over-the-counter or prescription medicine containing hydroquinone, which works by
lightening darker patches of skin prescription cortisone or retinoic cream laser
treatment. In some cases, melasma disappears after a woman has given birth or is no
longer taking hormonal contraception.
3. Birthmark treatment
If people want to treat a birthmark, they may consider the following options:
laser therapy, medications such as propranolol, timolol, or corticosteroids, which can
shrink certain birthmarks. Surgery to remove a birthmark that may be harmful.
People may also use makeup to cover any blemishes or discolored skin that they wish
to disguise.

16. 4. Cold sore treatment
Cold sores tend to clear up on their own within 2 weeks. A dermatologist may
also prescribe an oral or topical antiviral medicine to treat cold sores.
5. Skin cancer treatment
Skin cancer is very treatable if a person begins treatment in the early stages of the
disease. The treatment that a person receives will depend on the type of skin
cancer. Some possible treatment options include:
surgical removal of cancerous cells
topical medication to kill cancerous cells
radiation therapy