Acne
Acne is a very common skin condition affecting more than 80{a715dc82460ef316453535d8f5a5bb71203d64b0dd9e1da30c14866b8663dde1} of teenagers and many adults and children at some time in their life.
It can have a huge impact on the lives of young people. Highly effective treatments will lead to clear skin and more confidence.
Unfortunately many people see acne as a condition that is just part of life and something that we have to “live with”. That is necessarily the right approach as acne can be treated very effectively. In many cases, having the right treatment at an early stage can mean clearer skin sooner and with much less chance of acne scarring.
It is often difficult for patients to talk about their acne. Your dermatologist understands this and our caring approach to you and your skin problem is important. We are here to help you.
Acne is often a combination of oily skin, blackheads and whiteheads (comedones), pustules, and lumps. It commonly affects the face and neck, chest, back and shoulders. It can vary in severity from a few small spots to stubborn, tender lumps and cysts that can result in scarring.
At Central Dermatology Clinic we specialise in preventing and treating all forms of acne. Often a combined approach to treating acne is best. Treatments for acne can include:
- topical (applied to the skin) non-prescription treatments such as cleansers, creams and lotions
- chemical peels and blackhead removal – at Central Dermatology Clinic these procedures are performed by our qualified dermatology assistants
- blue light therapy (a gentle light application proven to reduce inflammatory acne)
- topical prescription treatments including antibiotics and retinoids
- oral antibiotics to reduce inflammation caused by acne and to reduce bacteria
- hormonal treatments including birth control pills and hormone blocking medicines
- oral Isotretinoin – a powerful and effective treatment for severe or resistant acne available only from your dermatologist
There are often multiple factors playing a role in acne and different types of acne need to be treated differently.
Why do people get acne?
There are many misconceptions regarding the causes. Acne is mainly caused by genetic factors, which determine our likelihood of getting acne. Often people who suffer from acne have a history of acne in the family, but this is not always the case. Sensitivity to the body’s normal hormones is also a common cause of acne. While diet, makeup and cosmetics, environmental factors, stress and other factors can all make acne worse, they generally are not the cause. In some cases, certain medications, abnormal hormones and other factors can cause acne.
If you have acne scarring, we can also help. Discuss options for acne scar treatment with us!
