What is acne?
Acne is common and treatable. It is common in teenagers but can start in adulthood.
It is a skin condition where the natural oils (called sebum) produced by sebaceous glands on the skin builds up and creates a plug in the hair follicles. If the blockage bulges outwards, this is called a whitehead (closed comedome). If the plugged follicle remains opened, it is called a blackhead (open comedome).
Harmless skin bacteria which is present on the skin may react to these plugged follicles causing acne to become inflamed, causing red spots which could be pus-filled. Larger spots are called nodules and cysts. Acne is not confined to the face and may be present on the chest and back.
What can I do?
Wash your face with a mild, gentle cleanser no more than twice a day as frequent washing can irritate the skin.
Maintain a healthy diet and avoid using heavy cosmetic products which may contribute to blocking of the pores.
You’ve tried different products and they’re not working? Come speak to us!
There are many treatment options for acne available that can be prescribed. These include topical treatment (to apply) and oral antibiotics (taken by mouth). Some types of acne need to be treated properly to avoid scarring. Treatment can take several months to work and generally the results are usually good.
Do resist the temptation to pick or squeeze the spots as it can lead to permanent scarring.
If you have acne scarring and want to know more about acne scar treatment, we now have SkinPen®.
