ACNE TREATMENT

Acnecide Gel

Acnecide Gel

From £7.49
Acnecide Wash Gel

Acnecide Wash Gel

From £7.49
Differin Gel

Differin Gel

From £17.99
Duac Gel

Duac Gel

From £23.89
Epiduo Gel

Epiduo Gel

From £29.35
Treclin Gel

Treclin Gel

From £29.99
Zineryt Lotion

Zineryt Lotion

From £19.49

About Acne Treatment

What is acne?

Acne is a skin condition which affects a majority of people at some point in their life, particularly those going through puberty. It can cause painful spots, which are usually red or white in colour. Sometimes, acne scars can develop after the spots disappear.


What Causes Acne?

Acne develops when the small pores in the skin, known as hair follicles, become blocked. These follicles are connected to tiny glands called sebaceous glands, located near the skin's surface. These glands produce an oily substance called sebum, which helps lubricate both the hair and the skin to prevent dryness.

However, in cases of acne, these glands can overproduce sebum. The excess sebum, along with dead skin cells, forms a blockage within the follicle. When this blockage occurs near the skin's surface, it results in a whitehead. If the follicle remains open to the skin's surface, it forms a blackhead.

Bacteria residing on the skin can also infiltrate and infect these blocked follicles, leading to the formation of pustules, papules, nodules, or cyst.
 

Hormones in men (testosterone)

During puberty, an increase in testosterone is thought it contribute to teenage acne in young men. The sebaceous glands are sensitive to hormonal changes, and start to produce more sebum.
 

Hormones in women

In the same way that sebaceous glands produce more sebum in response to an increase in testosterone, hormonal changes in women can also cause acne. Women go through fluctuations in hormone levels during:

  • Puberty
  • Menstruation
  • Pregnancy

 

Family history

If both of your parents have had acne, you are likely to suffer from it too.
 

Other causes

  • Medical conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
  • Medication such as steroids, antidepressants and antiepileptics
  • Diets which have a high in sugar and starchy carbohydrates
  • Smoking

Acne Symptoms

Symptoms of acne include:

  • Whiteheads (closed blocked pores)
  • Blackheads (open blocked pores)
  • Papules (small red bumps)
  • Pimples (papules with pus filled tips)
  • Nodules (Large, painful lumps under the skin)
  • Cysts (Puss-filled lumps under the skin which are painful)

Acne Diagnosis

A doctor will be able to diagnose acne by examining the skin.

Common areas which acne affects include the:

  • Forehead
  • Chin
  • Back
  • Chest
  • Buttocks

Acne Treatments

The type of acne treatment will depend on how severe your acne is. Acne is classified into 3 stages:

  • Mild – mainly blackheads or whiteheads, with a few pustules or papules.
  • Moderate – blackheads, whiteheads, pustules and/or papules which cover a large surface area
  • Severe – Painful acne, usually consisting of cysts and nodules. Acne may leave scarring

Moderate to severe acne will usually require prescription acne treatment.
 

Topical retinoids

Topical retinoids work by increasing the rate at which skin cells turn over. This helps to prevent sebum from building up in the follicles.

You usually use retinoids in the evening before bed.

The most common side effect of retinoids is skin drying. This usually resolves after a few weeks, as your skin gets used to the treatment.

It can take around 6-8 weeks to see an improvement. You can use retinoids for as long as you wish, to help prevent acne from recurring.

Retinoids are not suitable for those who are pregnant.

Examples: Differin, Epiduo
 

Topical antibiotics

Topical antibiotics get rid of bacteria on the skin.

Antibiotic acne treatments are usually applied twice a day for 8 weeks. After the course is complete, you should stop using the treatment, to prevent your skin from becoming resistant to it.

Side effects are usually mild, and involve minor skin irritation.

Examples: Duac, Treclin, Zineryt


Sources

NHS. (03 January 2023). Acne. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/ [Accessed 4 March 2024]


Yes, retinoids such as Differin can help to pump the skin with collagen, helping to remove acne scars.

Yes, the contraceptive pill can also help to regulate hormones, preventing acne.

Yes, topical acne treatments are often used in conjunction with oral antibiotics, to manage severe acne.

Keep the area clean. Topical acne treatments can be used to clear acne. If you are prone to back acne, retinoids such as Differin and Epiduo can be used long term to prevent outbreaks.

Topical benzoyl peroxide can be used during pregnancy. You cannot use retinoids or antibiotics.

Antifungals can help to get rid of acne cause by fungal infections.

Science is limited in this area, and there is no concrete evidence to support claims that tea tree oil can treat acne.

The same applies.

HOW IT WORKS

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