Who gets acne?

Acne is frequent both during teenage years and in adulthood. It seems to be becoming more frequent among adults, with almost 30% of 20 year olds and 20% of 30 year olds suffering with recurring outbreaks.

What types of acne are there?

Acne may be comedonal in which there are many blackheads and tiny skin coloured bumps. Acne may also be inflammatory, in which there are red spots and puss heads. Severe acne can lead to the formation of cysts.

Why does acne need treatment?

Having acne has been shown in several research studies to leave sufferers with low self-confidence and a poor quality of life. Treating acne leads to an improvement in quality of life.

Also, if left untreated, acne can lead to scarring. Scars can be difficult to treat, so it is always best to manage acne as soon as possible. If you have established acne scarring, our Dermatologists will be able to help you with this also.

What causes acne?

There are 3 main factors. The first is that the cells lining hair follicles become 'sticky'. This causes the hair follicles to clog up. The second is that a lot of sebum is produced by sebaceous glands and if hair follicles are clogged, the sebum builds up. The third is overgrowth of Proprionobacterium acnes, a skin bacteria that likes sebum and causes inflamed pussy spots. An ideal combination of treatments targets all these factors.

What treatments are available for acne?

Our Dermatologists will be able to advise you on the best treatments suitable for your acne. Treatment is tailored to your skin type and category of acne. Treatments include...

• Skin care regime
• Topical therapies - which include prescription medications
• Antibiotics
• Retinoids - vitamin A derived tablets
• Other prescription medications
• Intense pulsed light
• Chemical Peels
• Microdermabrasion

What should I do?

If you have acne or scarring from acne, then please arrange to see one of our Dermatologists who will be happy to help.

Acne Scarring

Scarring can be one of the most devastating features of acne. The treatment of acne scars requires a tailored approach based on the extent and type of scarring.

What type of scars can acne cause?

There are two main types - indented or depressed scars and raised scars. Indented scars are more common and can appear as pits (ice pick scars) or shallow indentations (rolling and box scars). Raised scars can be red and lumpy (hypertrophic) or very hard and dark brown (keloid scars).

What causes acne scarring?

Acne spots and pustules can become so deep and inflamed that the inflammation destroys collagen in the dermis and causes indentations. This accounts for the indented scars.

Raised scars occur because of the body's healing mechanism kicking into overdrive and producing more scar tissue than needed.

What can be done for acne scarring?

We are able to offer a whole range of treatments using state of the art techniques and equipment, to help improve the appearance of acne scarring. Often a combination of treatments is required to get the best outcomes. Treatments that our team of Dermatologists and nurses offer include:

• Laser resurfacing - this may be ablative or non-ablative
• Steroid injections
• Surgery includng excision, subcision, punch grafting and punch elevation
• Chemical peels
• Microdermabrasion
• Derma roller
• Dermal fillers
• Retinoids
• Fat transfer

Rosacea

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a common rash found on the central part of the face. Rosacea may have some or all of the following features:

• Redness, which may be intermittent at first but then becomes permanent
• Thread veins, particularly on the nose and cheeks
• A tendency to flush easily either spontaneously or from triggers such as anxiety, alcohol, caffeine and exercise
• Crops of small inflamed red bumps and pus spots
• Increased thickness of the skin of the nose leading to a bulbous appearance

Most rosacea sufferers have one or two of these features.

What are the symptoms of rosacea?

The skin of the face feels sensitive and can burn or sting. Rosacea can lead to embarrassment, anxiety, depression and a disrupted social life because of the appearance of the skin. Flushing (the face becomes bright red) adds to the embarrassment caused by the rash.

Occasionally, rosacea sufferers may get gritty eyes. This is a sign that the rosacea is affecting the eyes.

What causes rosacea?

The cause is unknown but it is thought that excessive sun exposure can cause rosacea to progress. Rosacea prone complexions are often hereditary.

How can rosacea be treated?

• Redness, flushing and thread veins can be effectively treated with a course of IPL (intense pulsed light). A course of 2 - 6 treatments may be required
• Spots are treated with antibiotic tablets and prescription creams
• Sunblock is essential
• A tailored skin regime is helpful
• A bulbous nose can be treated with laser resurfacing

Please call us on 0121 456 0880 to make an appointment with one of our Dermatologists today.