I
Comedonal
Surface congestion
Blackheads and whiteheads — pores clogged with sebum and dead skin. Not inflamed, often along the nose, chin, and forehead T-zone.
- Cause
- Sebum + keratin
- Severity
- Mild
- Depth
- Superficial
- Time
- 6–12 weeks
Acne, patiently.
Acne is rarely just one thing — hormonal, inflammatory, or post-inflammatory. We diagnose first, then sequence treatment over weeks and months. Patience, not pressure, is the medicine.
0%Of patients respond
0monthsTypical timeline
0visitsActive phase
Considered care, plainly.
Acne presents in patterns — comedonal (blackheads and whiteheads), inflammatory (red papules and pustules), cystic (deep, painful nodules), and post-inflammatory (the marks that follow). Most cases combine two or three.
We classify the type, identify the trigger (hormonal, dietary, mechanical, microbial), and write a regimen for the next twelve weeks. Topicals first, oral therapy only when indicated, in-clinic treatments alongside, never the headline.
Indian skin marks readily — every active lesion can leave behind a stain that lasts months. The discipline is to treat early, gently, and to never let inflammation linger.
Six familiar patterns.
Each type has its own cause, depth and conversation with treatment. Hover or tap any plate to read its detail.
II
Inflammatory
Red & painful
Red papules and pustules — visible inflammation. Driven by C. acnes bacteria and the immune response. Spreads if untreated.
- Cause
- Microbial + immune
- Severity
- Moderate
- Depth
- Mid-dermal
- Time
- 3–6 months
III
Cystic / Nodular
Deep, painful
Large, painful lesions that sit deep in the dermis. Heal slowly, scar readily. Hormonal influence is common; jawline distribution typical.
- Cause
- Hormonal + deep
- Severity
- Severe
- Depth
- Deep dermal
- Time
- 6–12 months
IV
Hormonal
Cyclical, jawline
Adult-onset acne tied to hormonal cycles, PCOS, or contraceptive shifts. Concentrated on the lower face. Responds to internal therapy as much as topical.
- Cause
- Endocrine
- Severity
- Variable
- Depth
- Mixed
- Time
- Cyclical
V
Post-inflammatory
Brown marks
The pigmentation left behind after a lesion heals — distinct from acne scars. Especially common in Indian skin. Treatable but slow.
- Cause
- Pigment response
- Severity
- Cosmetic
- Depth
- Epidermal-dermal
- Time
- 3–9 months
VI
Acne Scars
Permanent texture
True scarring — ice-pick, rolling, or boxcar — that follows severe acne. Texture change rather than colour change. Requires different therapy entirely.
- Cause
- Tissue loss
- Severity
- Permanent
- Depth
- Dermal
- Time
- Years to soften
How we sequence the work.
I
Classify
Grade and type at examination. Dermoscopy where indicated; photographs for the record.
II
Trigger
Discuss hormones, dietary patterns, medications, and lifestyle factors that may be feeding the cycle.
III
Plan
Twelve-week written plan — topicals, in-clinic schedule, maintenance after.
IV
Review
Photographic review at six and twelve weeks. Adjust where indicated. Patience is non-negotiable.
What we use.
The treatments most often part of this concern's protocol. Real plans combine two or three, sequenced over months. Tap any to read the detail.
Dr. Shivali Sethi
Twenty-five years of considered dermatology — examined first, prescribed second. The practice has only refined the standard.
MBBSDDVLFACSIDermatosurgeon
Forty-five minutes,
unhurried.
The first consultation is examination first. We will tell you plainly what is treatable, what is not, and what a realistic timeline looks like.