Acne is caused by inflammation of the pilosebaceous unit (aka the hair follicle and oil gland). This causes blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and larger lesions called nodules and cysts. Acne occurs on the face, chest and back and may cause scarring.

What causes acne?

People with acne produce more keratin which blocks drainage of oil from the oil gland. Keratin is a protein made by skin cells. Acne sufferers also secrete excess oil as they are more sensitive to male hormones in their body. Note that ladies also have male hormones. The excess oil and keratin form plugs called whiteheads and blackheads or comedones. Acne sufferers also have an acne bacteria called P. acnes which act on these comedones causing inflammation. These inflamed lesions are commonly called pimples, which are red bumps or red bumps with pus. More serious inflammation results in larger bumps called nodules and cysts.

What can we do about it?

Early treatment of acne is essential to prevent scarring. It targets the underlying causes of acne and combines skincare with procedures that accelerate clearance, leaving the skin clear and smooth.

What type of skin care?

We will recommend an appropriate cleanser that will remove surface oil effectively and gently. Creams will be prescribed to treat and reduce the number of comedones. Excess keratin will be tackled with gentle fruit acids. Antibiotics and antiseptics applied to the skin will clear acne bacteria. In addition, it is important for acne sufferers to keep their skin moisturised and use sunscreen. We have light and oil free moisturises and sunscreens that will not aggravate acne. They make the skin feel hydrated and not dry and irritated as irritation may cause acne to flare.

What about oral medication?

Those whose acne is not controlled by oral medication may be prescribed a course of antibiotics or isotretinoin tablets. A consultation with a doctor is required before starting oral medication, as it depends on clinical judgement and informed discussion.

Do you treat acne with injections?

Large pimple and nodules may be treated early with a small injection of steroids which will reduce the inflammatory process and cause the large lesion to reduce in size within 2 days. This not only helps it to heal quickly, it also prevents scar formation.

What are the procedures that may help with acne?

Several procedures may support acne treatment by promoting skin renewal and improving overall skin texture. Carbon laser peel can help refine pores and smooth the skin’s appearance. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), which includes blue light technology, may help target acne bacteria and reduce redness. Additionally, IPL can contribute to a more even skin tone and a temporary glow after treatment. Hydrodermabrasion, a type of exfoliation treatment, helps remove excess dead skin and keratin while allowing infused serums to penetrate the skin effectively, potentially aiding in oil gland regulation. Chemical peels, which use fruit acids, can help exfoliate the topmost layer of skin, drying out pimples and loosening comedones. The peeling process typically takes about a week and can also be used for acne on the back and chest. While these procedures may help with acne clearance, consulting a doctor is recommended to determine the most suitable approach based on individual skin needs.

Can we prevent acne from forming?

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. After the acne has cleared, we will recommend a maintenance plan with daily skin care and procedures to prevent new acne from forming and keep the skin clear, smooth and glowing.

Is there any food that we can eat to prevent acne?

A balanced diet with low-GI carbs and minimal sugar or dairy may help in acne prevention.

Is there anything else that I can do?

Keep hair away from affected areas. Do not clean your skin more than twice a day as acne is not caused by dirt. Do not lean your face on your hands for prolonged periods. Most important of all, do not pick or squeeze pimples as the resulting inflammation may make it worse and cause scarring.