What acne treatment options are there?
A treatment programme will be tailored to your specific needs after a comprehensive evaluation of your medical history and examination of your skin. We can also help you deal with the consequences of acne in terms of unsightly pigmentation and scarring.
How many visits will I need to make for my acne treatment?
This varies-some clients may require only an initial assessment visit with follow-up after several months to “tweak” the programme. Others will need a more intensive programme, with monthly visits.
Does it hurt?
Most acne treatments cause a degree of irritation-perfectly normal. With our expertise, this can be made more manageable and ultimately the results tend to justify the means.
How quickly will I see results?
Acne treatment requires patience – at least 3 months of any treatment is required to see significant improvement.
Are results guaranteed?
Acne can always be improved; we can then help you maintain these results with a skincare programme designed to keep your skin in its new improved state.
Will my acne get worse during the initial stages of acne treatment?
Sometimes, particularly with Roaccutane. But we’ll hold your hand through this to minimise this transition state.
Is there a reason I may not be able to have acne treatment?
Woman who are trying to conceive or are currently pregnant are not suitable for treatment with Roaccutane. Occasionally a medical problem may limit treatment options-but this will all be assessed and discussed at your first visit.
Will I have to continue with acne treatment forever?
A difficult question to answer with absolute certainty – some treatments significantly reduce the chance of your acne coming back or being so severe again in the future.
How effective is acne treatment?
Almost everyone with acne can be helped.
What will happen during acne treatment?
You will be prescribed a bespoke programme tailored to your individual skin type and according to the severity of your condition. This will involve topical treatment, often in combination with oral medication of some sort.
How long does acne treatment take?
3 to 6 months in the first instance.
How does it work?
Acne treatment is a multi-pronged attack on the various factors that lead to the dreaded acne blemish. We will tackle acne with anti-inflammatory agents and medicines designed to stop “black-heads” or comedone formation which is the root of all acne lesions. We can then help you tidy up the damage acne causes in terms of pigmentation, coarsening of the complexion and even scarring.
What are the side effects?
Each treatment will be discussed at your appointment in terms of both benefits and risks. Irritation tends to be the main complaint but this can usually be managed successfully with experienced management advice from your doctor.
Do I need to be a certain age to have acne treatment?
You must be at least 18 years of age to begin treatment.
Are there any other options apart from Roaccutane?
There are always other options – treatment will be optimised according to your specific needs, both medically and from a lifestyle pint of view.
What else can I do to reduce the affect?
Unfortunately lifestyle intervention e.g. changing your diet, has never been shown to make much difference to acne.
Could acne be a sign of something more serious?
Occasionally it’s a sign of excessive male hormones in females but this will be addressed at your consultation.
What prescription products might you suggest?
Your doctor will use a variety of potent prescription-strength medications to get your acne under control. This is likely to include a number of different agents including benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, alpha-hydroxy acids and Vitamin A-derivatives.
What is acne?
Acne occurs when the pores become plugged. Blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and deeper lumps (cysts or nodules), occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, and even the upper arms. Acne is experienced by both teenagers and adults all the way through their 40’s. Untreated acne can leave scars, which can be treated by botonics. Although acne can be upsetting and disfiguring, break outs can also lead to serious and permanent scarring.
How does acne form?
Hormones found in both males and females rise during adolescence (puberty) and stimulate and enlarge the oil (sebaceous) glands of the skin. These glands are found in the face, upper back, and chest. Rarely, acne can be due to a hormonal imbalance. The oil glands are connected to a hair-containing canal called a follicle. The sebaceous glands make an oily substance called sebum, which reaches the skin surface by emptying through the skin surface opening of the follicle. The hair follicle opening is sometimes called the pore. The oil (sebum) causes the cells from the follicular lining to shed more rapidly and stick together, forming a plug at the hair follicle opening. Bacteria grow and stimulate inflammation, which causes the wall of the follicle to break. The skin cells spill into the skin causing redness, swelling, and pus.
Does sunlight help or worsen the skin?
A tan can temporarily mask your acne. Sunlight ages the skin and can cause skin cancer, therefore, you should not sunburn, “bake in the sun,” or use sunlamps. Choose a sunscreen that is oil-free, such as a gel or light lotion.
What types of cosmetics should I use?
If you wear a liquid foundation or use a moisturiser, look for ones that are oil-free and not just water-based. Choose products that are “non-comedogenic” (should not cause whiteheads or blackheads or “non-acnegenic” (should not cause acne).
Am I the only one with acne?
You are definitely not the only one with acne. It is estimated that as many as 70 million people suffer from acne, so you are not alone. In most people, acne clears up after a few years. But at its worst, acne can cause permanent scarring of the skin. And even when there are few physical marks left, the emotional ones can be devastating.
Can I prevent my acne from coming back?
The regimen that your dermatologist has prescribed will help you get rid of whatever acne pimples you have now, and it will also work to prevent new from appearing. By using your medication correctly and consistently, you can help prevent new acne pimples from forming. If you stop using your medication, or if you only "spot-treat" those pimples you can see, new may form, and they may take weeks to clear again. Apply your medication in the same way every day or as recommended by your dermatologist.
Can acne be cured?
There is no instant or immediate cure for acne. But it can be controlled, and scarring may be prevented with proper care and treatment. Again, correct and consistent use of your acne medication and following your dermatologist's instructions will be your best bet.
What kind of cleanser should I use?
Acne is not caused by dirt. Of course, you should cleanse your face, but too much vigorous washing can dry your skin too much, or even aggravate your acne. Cleansing twice a day is sufficient. Your dermatologist may recommend that you use a mild, nonsoap, fragrance-free cleanser that won’t dry or irritate your skin.
Should I use a moisturiser?
Since some acne medications can be drying, it may be helpful to use a moisturiser. Your dermatologist may recommend a mild, fragrance-free, non-irritating moisturiser that is noncomedogenic.
Some tips on surviving acne.
1. Cleanse your face regularly with a mild, nonsoap cleanser, but not too often.
2. NEVER squeeze, pick, or pinch acne pimples or use sharp objects on them. This will only contribute to infection, inflammation, and scarring.
3. If you use cosmetics or moisturizers, be sure they are "noncomedogenic" or “nonacnegenic."
4. Try to be patient. It can take several weeks for your acne to clear. And larger pimples may take even longer to fade completely.
5. Use your acne medications regularly and consistently to help prevent the formation of new pimples. Remember, once a pimple starts, it can stick around for weeks or months. It's easier to prevent new pimples from forming than to have to wait for existing ones to clear.
6. Follow your dermatologist's recommendations in caring for your skin. It's your best chance to control your acne.
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