Acne

Acne is a very common skin condition that can be represented by comedones (blackhead and whiteheads), papules (red bumps) and pustules (pus-filled spots).

Regardless of its severity, we understand that this condition can have a major impact on emotional wellbeing and self-esteem.  Acne can sometimes lead to lifelong scarring, which is why early intervention is essential.

Root Cause of Acne

  • Sebaceous Glands: Overactivity due to hormones, genetics, and stress.

  • Clogged Pores: Excess oil and dead skin cells lead to blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples (pustules and nodules).

Complications of Acne

  • Skin Issues: Red lesions, brown spots, scars.

The Skin Company approach:  

  • Your treatment will be customised to your medical history and specific acne journey, severity and presence of scarring

  • Effective treatment often combines various modalities to address all aspects of acne

  • Quick treatment of active acne is essential to prevent acne sequalae including red marks, brown marks and scarring

  • Ten percent of acne can persist into adulthood particularly if underlying hormonal causes present

  • We understand the emotional distress and confidence issues that can be experienced with these concerns

Treatment Options:

Topical Medications: Suitable for mild to moderate acne.

  • Method: Start slowly, apply to the whole affected area and use with moisturisers (read instructions carefully)

  • Common Brands:  Benzac, Differin, Retrieve, Epiduo, Duac, Azaleic acid

  • Pros: Targets blackheads and whiteheads, can be used with antibiotics to enhance effects

  • Cons: Can cause dryness and irritation

Oral Antibiotics: Suitable for moderate acne, typically combined with topicals.

  • Method: Combined with topical medications, limited to 3-6 months in most cases

  • Pros: Reduced inflammation and bacterial growth 

  • Cons: Temporary solution, potential side effects, risk of antibiotic resistance

Isotretinoin (Roaccutane/Oratane/Accutane): Suitable for moderate to severe or persistent acne, or acne that has caused scarring

  • Method: Long-term treatment for moderate to severe acne, requires monitoring (6-18mths) and regular visits

  • Pros: Highly effective, long-term remission for most

  • Cons: Occasional initial worsening of acne during early stages of treatment. Potential side effects, including dry skin and lips, mood changes, and others (The Skin Company will provide further information)

Hormonal Treatments for Women

  • Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill: Effective for hormonal acne, underlying polycystic ovaries.  The benefits of this treatment increase with use

  • Spironolactone: Reduces androgen levels, effective for hormonal fluctuations

Other Skin Company therapies for acne include:

Acne Scarring Treatments: Typically combine multiple modes of treatment

  • Punch grafting: involves removing the scar with a special instrument and replacing it with normal skin typically followed up with laser resurfacing.

  • TCA cross: for ice pick scars.

  • Subcision®: involves dividing the scar tissue beneath the scar and  lifting the skin back to its original position.

  • Fillers: injectable for acne scars.

  • Intralesional steroids: Keloid or hypertrophic scars require the injection of corticosteroid into them. Multiple injections separated by 4 to 6 weeks may be required.

  • Fractionated laser: this laser technique is most suitable for atrophic acne scars (the most common types of scars). It is popular, effective and extremely safe.

Healite LED therapy: Helps calm inflammatory acne, stimulates collagen

  • BBL: Treats red and brown marks 

  • MOXI( 1027nm laser): Lightens, brightens and reduces pigmentation

  • Peels: AHA( glycolic acid) and BHA ( salicylic acid), retinol and pigment peels 

  • Personalised skin care: Effective for hyperpigmentation, reducing seborrhoea( oil), inflammatory acne( pustules), light weight moisturiser and gentle cleansers, Biojuve(microbiome skin care)

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