Acne

Acne is a common chronic skin disorder affecting both men and women. It predominantly occurs during puberty, however it can last well into adulthood and indeed some people only start developing acne in their 20s, 30s or sometimes even 40s. Interestingly, adult acne has become an increasingly frequent phenomenon, particularly in women. Depending on how the condition manifests itself, it is referred to as comedogenic acne, cystic acne or nodulocystic acne. Below is a brief summary of the most common symptoms.

Acne Treatments

What are the symptoms of acne?

The severity of acne can vary greatly and is usually assessed by a general practitioner or dermatologist by means of a visual examination. Generally speaking, this is sufficient to establish whether the individual suffers from acne.

Symptoms include oily, red and scaly skin. The main characteristic of acne vulgaris however is the appearance of blocked pores, either as blackheads or whiteheads. Blackheads, medically referred to as comedones, are pores filled with dead skin cells and sebum (oil). If the pore gets further irriated or inflamed, a whitehead forms. These unsightly pimples are filled with pus and lymph. Severe cases of acne lead to cysts, or nodules, that lie deep underneath the skin. Acne mostly appears in the face, notably the so-called T-zone (chin, nose forehead) but can also affect the back, chest, upper arms or buttocks.

Causes of acne

Acne is caused by Propionibacterium acnes, a microorganism feeding off dermal sebum, i.e. the oil produced by the oil glands in order to keep the skin moisturised. People suffering from acne tend to have an overly oily skin which can lead to blocked and inflamed pores (see the symptoms above). Sebum production is stimulated and regulated by hormones, particularly male sex hormones (androgens) such as testosterone. Severe acne is therefore more prevalent among young men, but also women suffering from a hormonal imbalance. Contrary to wide-spread popular belief, acne is neither caused by poor hygiene nor by certain foods such as fried foods or chocolate.

How can acne be treated?

Acne can be a source of considerable distress and severely dent the sufferer's self-confidence, but thankfully a range of effective treatments are now available which allow most acne patients to manage the condition and visibly improve the appearance of the skin. Treatments include over-the-counter cleansers, moisturises or targeted gels which usually contain the active ingredients salicylic acid and/or benzoyl peroxide in weak concentrations. These medicines favour skin peeling/renewal and kill acne bacteria. Generally these treatments are effective to clear up mild and sometimes moderate acne. In more persistent cases, topical and oral prescription medicines may be indicated. The most common course of action is topical treatment with antibiotics, retinoids or azelaic acid. Depending on the severity of the acne, topical treatment can be combined with oral antibiotics or oral retinoids. Women may benefit from certain hormonal contraceptives such as Dianette. Your GP or dermatologist will decide which treatment plan is best for you.

What can I do myself?

First of all, it is important to understand that you will not see results overnight. You need to be patient and particularly prescription-only treatments initially seem to worsen the condition. You can expect to see results after about 4-6 weeks since it takes around this long for the skin to renew itself. Please always follow the regime your doctor recommended to you and use or take all products regularly. Keep your skin clean, but don't overdo it, even if your skin is very oily. Harsh cleansers weaken the skins natural barrier which further favours acne bacteria overgrowth and stimulates sebum secretion. Make sure your skin is clean and dry before applying any topical treatment. Avoid touching your face, especially if you have not washed your hands. Tie your hair back and wash it frequently, especially if it tends to be greasy. Most importantly, do not squeeze the pimples or pick at your face no matter how big the temptation to do so. It will only make matters worse and can cause scars which take very long to heal. Particularly if you suffer from comedogenic acne it is a good idea to get the blackheads removed regularly, however this should only be done by a trained dermatological professional or beautician. Before undergoing any such treatment you should seek your doctor's advice. Always inform your healthcare professional or beautician of any treatments you may be using to treat your acne before any facial treatment or comedone extraction.

Severe acne can cause pockmark-like scarring, especially in people with darker skin. These scars will persist long after the acne has gone. Chemical peels or laser treatment can smooth out the skin’s surface and dramatically improve skin texture and complexion. Again, please always seek medical advice before considering any such procedure.

Acne Treatments