Why Acne Is Worse in Lucknow
Acne is the most common reason patients visit Gomti Clinic. Living in Lucknow adds several factors that make
acne harder to manage:
- Humidity: Lucknow's subtropical climate means high humidity from July to October. This
increases sebum production and bacterial growth on skin — especially for patients living in dense areas
like Aminabad, Chowk, and old Lucknow
- Hard water: Water in areas like Aliganj, Rajajipuram, and Mahanagar has high mineral
content. Hard water disrupts the skin's acid mantle, making it more acne-prone and preventing face
washes from lathering properly
- Pollution: Vehicular exhaust and particulate matter — especially along busy corridors
like Faizabad Road, Kanpur Road, and near Charbagh — deposit on skin and clog pores
- Dietary triggers: Lucknow's food culture (rich, dairy-heavy, high glycemic index) can
aggravate hormonal acne. We're not telling you to stop eating — we help you identify specific triggers
Types of Acne We Treat
Before prescribing anything, Dr. Ankita classifies your acne type. This matters because the treatment differs
significantly:
Comedonal Acne (Blackheads & Whiteheads)
Clogged pores without significant inflammation. Common in teenagers and young adults. Responds well to
retinoids and salicylic acid products. We guide you on the right concentration and application technique.
Inflammatory Acne (Papules & Pustules)
Red, swollen bumps with or without pus. Requires topical antibiotics or combination therapy. Most patients
achieve significant improvement in 6–8 weeks with the right regimen.
Cystic / Nodular Acne
Deep, painful lumps under the skin. This is severe acne that often leads to scarring if untreated. May
require oral isotretinoin (under careful monitoring) or intralesional steroid injections for individual
cysts.
Hormonal Acne
Typically along the jawline and chin in adult women. Often related to PCOS, menstrual cycle, or stress.
Treatment involves hormonal assessment and may include anti-androgen medications in coordination with
gynaecological care.
Acne Mechanica / Friction Acne
We see this in patients who wear helmets daily (very common among Lucknow's two-wheeler commuters) or face
masks for extended periods. The constant friction and sweat trigger breakouts on the forehead, chin, and
cheeks.
Our Treatment Approach
- Classification: Determine acne type and grade (Grade 1–4)
- Root cause identification: Hormonal? Bacterial? Fungal acne? (Yes, what looks like acne
might be a fungal infection — common in Lucknow's monsoon season)
- Customized regimen: Topical products (retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics) with
specific instructions on sequence and timing
- In-clinic procedures when needed:
- Chemical peels (salicylic,
mandelic, glycolic) — excellent for comedonal and mild inflammatory acne
- Comedone extraction — safe, sterile removal of stubborn blackheads
- LED light therapy — reduces inflammation and bacterial count
- Scar prevention: We start scar prevention protocols early. Once active acne is
controlled, we move to acne scar treatment
What We Tell Every Acne Patient
- Acne treatment takes 6–12 weeks to show meaningful improvement. Quick fixes don't exist
- Your skin may "purge" (temporary worsening) in the first 2–3 weeks of retinoid use — this is normal
- Stop using random creams from the internet or pharmacy counters. Steroid-based creams (very common in
Indian pharmacies) make acne worse long-term
- Acne can be managed and controlled. In most cases, it can be cleared completely — but it requires
consistency
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does acne treatment take?
Improvement starts in 4–6 weeks. A full treatment course is typically 3–6 months. Severe cystic acne may take
longer, especially if isotretinoin is used (5–6 month course).
Can I still use makeup during treatment?
Yes — non-comedogenic products only. We provide a list of suitable products available in Lucknow (both
pharmacy brands and online options).
My acne keeps coming back. Is that normal?
Recurrence suggests either the root cause wasn't addressed (hormonal, dietary) or the treatment was stopped
too early. We design maintenance protocols to prevent recurrence.