By Dr. Sejal Saheta, InUrSkn Skin Hair & Body Clinic

If you’ve ever wondered “Why my acne is not healing?”, “Why does acne keep coming back?”, or “How do I get rid of acne and acne scars for good?” — you’re not alone. Acne affects both men and women, teenagers and adults, and the emotional toll can often feel heavier than the physical symptoms.

Many of my patients at InUrSkn Skin Hair & Body Clinic—including those seeking acne treatment in Powai or searching for the best dermatologist for acne in Mumbai—come in frustrated because nothing seems to work. And this happens for a simple reason:

👉 Acne is not a one-reason, one-solution condition.
It is a complex combination of hormones, skin environment, lifestyle, and genetics.

In this blog, I’ll help you understand why acne won’t heal, the real causes behind recurring acne, and what you should be doing instead to finally see clear skin.

Why Your Acne Is Not Healing: The Real Reasons

1. Hormonal Acne You’re Not Aware Of

Fluctuating hormones—especially during puberty, menstrual cycles, PCOS, pregnancy, or stress—can increase oil (sebum) production. This excess oil clogs pores and causes inflammatory breakouts.

This is one of the most common reasons for:

Recurring acne
Cystic, painful pimples
Acne along jawline or chin

If you have hormonal acne, no home remedy or OTC product can balance your hormones. This is why a professional and medical evaluation becomes essential.

2.Stress, Sleep & Lifestyle Factors

Many people underestimate lifestyle causes of acne, such as:

Chronic stress
Poor sleep
High-glycaemic diet
Excess dairy intake
Irregular skincare habits
Sweat + pollution exposure (common in Mumbai’s humid climate)

Stress acne causes an increase in cortisol, which stimulates oil glands and worsens acne.

3.Wrong Skincare & Over-The-Counter Products

Most people unknowingly worsen their acne by:

Using harsh scrubs
Applying heavy oils
Using comedogenic makeup
Trying random OTC creams suggested by chemists
Following home remedies like toothpaste, vinegar, haldi, multani mitti, lemon

These increase irritation and inflammation, delaying healing and causing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark acne marks).

4.Not Treating Each Type of Acne Differently

Whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts each require specific treatment.

When you treat all acne the same way, the condition persists.

5.Genetics & Skin Type

Oily skin, large pores, and acne-prone skin often run in families. In such cases, professional treatments and a long-term maintenance routine are crucial.

6.Picking or Squeezing Pimples

This is one of the top reasons patients later come asking:
How do I remove my acne scars?
How do I get my acne marks to fade?
How do I remove my acne scars naturally?

Picking acne leads to:

Dark spots (PIH)
Rolling, boxcar, and ice-pick scars
Texture damage

And unfortunately, most acne scars do NOT improve without clinical treatments.

How to Treat Acne Effectively:

A Dermatologist-Approved Approach

Acne requires a scientific, personalised, and layered treatment plan. At InUrSkn, we evaluate your skin, your hormones, your lifestyle, and the type of acne before planning treatment.

Here’s how we treat acne safely and effectively:

1.Medical Treatments for Acne

Depending on your acne type, we prescribe:

✔ Topical Treatments

Retinoids
Antibiotic gels
AHAs/BHAs
Benzoyl peroxide
These unclog pores, reduce bacteria, and smooth skin texture.

✔ Oral Medications

Oral antibiotics for inflammation
Vitamin A derivatives to reduce oil production
Hormonal therapy / Birth control pills for hormonal acne
Isotretinoin (for severe, recurring acne)

2.In-Clinic Treatments for Active Acne

Depending on your acne type, we prescribe:

✔ Chemical Peels

Reduce active acne, oiliness, and pigmentation.

✔ Laser Therapies (Low-Level or Nd-YAG)

Kill acne-causing bacteria and control inflammation.

All these are non-surgical acne treatments, safe, and dermatologist-supervised.

How to Treat Acne Marks & Acne Scars

Many patients ask me the difference between acne pigmentation vs acne scars:

Marks (PIH) = dark brown spots
Scars = depressions or uneven texture

Both need different treatments.

Treatments for Acne Marks / Pigmentation

✔ Chemical Peels

✔ Microdermabrasion

✔ Pico / Nd-YAG Laser

These help lighten pigmentation and fade acne marks faster.

Treatments for Acne Scars

Topical creams do NOT work for scars.

We use advanced dermatology procedures such as:

✔ Fractional CO2 Laser

✔ Microneedling

✔ RF Microneedling (MNRF)

✔ PRP Skin Regeneration

These treatments rebuild collagen, improve texture, and minimise deep scars.

Who Is Acne Treatment For?

Professional acne treatment is ideal for you if you experience:

Persistent or recurring acne
Hormonal acne
Acne with scarring
Painful cystic or nodular acne
Post-acne marks that won’t fade
Adult acne triggered by stress or lifestyle
Acne resistant to OTC remedies

Key Benefits of Dermatologist-Led Acne Treatment

✔ Accurate diagnosis of acne type
✔ Faster healing and prevention of scarring
✔ Personalised treatment based on your skin
✔ Access to advanced equipment
✔ Long-term clear-skin plan
✔ Safe, supervised care
✔ Natural-looking results
✔ Improvement in confidence and emotional well-being

What NOT to Do if You Want Your Acne to Heal

✘ Don’t scrub or exfoliate aggressively
✘ Don’t follow kitchen-based home remedies
✘ Don’t leave makeup overnight
✘ Don’t keep touching or popping pimples
✘ Don’t switch products frequently
✘ Don’t self-medicate with OTC creams

These only delay healing and worsen marks & scars.

Expert Tips to Prevent Future Acne

Follow a consistent skincare routine
Use non-comedogenic products
Wash face twice a day
Reduce dairy/sugar consumption
Manage stress
Maintain regular sleep cycles
Avoid heavy oils on hair and face
Seek early treatment to prevent scarring

Ready to Clear Your Skin?

Book Your Acne Consultation Today!**

If you’re looking for the best dermatologist for acne in Mumbai, or trusted acne scar removal in Mumbai, we’re here to help you.

At InUrSkn Skin Hair & Body Clinic (Powai), we offer evidence-based, personalized acne and acne-scar treatments designed for long-term clear skin.

📞 Book your consultation today and take the first step toward healthy, blemish-free skin.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Answered by Dr. Sejal Saheta

1. Why is my acne not healing?

Most acne doesn’t heal because the cause is deeper—hormonal imbalance, excess oil, stress, or incorrect skincare. A dermatologist can identify the exact reason and treat it properly.