Acne Treatments
Skin condition
Acne is a skin condition that can affect any person at any time and is very common. There are many treatments available and include tablets, capsules as well as gels. Answer the questions in our online consultation, available by clicking any of the treatments below, and our prescribers will recommend the best treatment for your condition.
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Acne medications
Acne Key Information
Acne is a prevalent skin condition affecting millions globally, is more than just a collection of pimples; it's a complex interplay of biological factors impacting skin health.
These often painful and pus-filled bumps can impact individuals of all ages, with teenagers and young adults being the most commonly affected.
Acne is a long-term skin condition that can affect the face, back, and neck. It is characterized by oily skin, whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed spots that can be painful to touch.
The condition can also cause people to be embarrassed and lack confidence. Acne is most common in people aged between 11 and 30.
Understanding Acne
Acne, scientifically known as acne vulgaris, is a multifactorial skin disorder characterized by the formation of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, nodules, and cysts.
The primary factors include hair follicles, sebaceous (oil) glands, dead skin cells, and bacteria. When these elements converge, they create a breeding ground for acne.
Who Gets Acne?
While acne affects people of all races and ages, it is most common in teenagers and young adults. Teenage acne is more prevalent in males, but adult acne, especially hormonal variants, is more common in women.
Acne Treatment: Acne is treatable, there several effective treatments for acne available at Ashcroft Pharmacy including Differin, Epiduo, Lymecycline, and Oxytetracycline.
Types of Acne:
There are two types of acne: Commedonal acne and inflammatory acne.
Comedones: Comedonal acne is small bumps that appear on the forehead or the chin giving you rough skin. Examples of these bumps include Whiteheads, blackheads, micro comedones, solar comedones, macro comedones, and giant comedones. This type of acne is common in young adolescents.
Inflammatory Acne: They are inflamed pus-filled pimples found deep into your skin. Examples of inflammatory acne blemishes include Nodules, cysts, and pustules.
Differences Between Inflammatory and Comedone Acne
Inflammatory Acne:
- Pimples appear deep in your skin surface
- Pimples are swollen, painful, and contain pus
- Common in all types of ages
- Pimples may appear in the form of pustules, cysts, or nodules
Comedone Acne:
- Blemishes appear closer to your skin surface
- Blemishes aren't swollen or painful
- Common in young adolescents
- Blemishes may appear in the form of blackheads or whiteheads
Acne-Resilient Lifestyle
The amount of sebum in your skin is directly influenced by your lifestyle. Practicing a healthy lifestyle will help you maintain smooth, naturally glowing skin. Some of the lifestyle tips that you can adopt include:
- At-Home Skincare routines for acne:
- Gentle Cleansing: Regular cleansing with mild products aids in controlling oil and preventing clogs.
- Moisturization: Always use Non-comedogenic, oil-free moisturizers to maintain skin hydration.
- 2. Preventive Measures
Dietary Choices: While the direct link between diet and acne is debated, a balanced, nutrient-rich diet is generally beneficial.
Foods that raise your blood sugar quickly cause your body to release IGF-1 hormone, excess of this hormone in your blood causes your oil glands to produce more sebum, increasing acne.
White sugar, pasta, and white bread are a few examples of blood sugar foods that you can avoid in your diet.
Lifestyle Adjustments: To prevent acne practice stress management, regular exercise, and avoid pore-clogging substances contributing to acne.
Diagnosis and Evaluation
Your healthcare provider can diagnose your symptoms by enquiring about your medical history, and physical examination and later evaluate your results by taking a lab test.
Diagnostic Approaches
- Medical History: Healthcare providers inquire about your family history, hormonal changes, and medication usage.
- Physical Examination: Skin assessments help in categorizing acne types and evaluating severity.
- Laboratory Tests : In typical acne cases, lab tests are seldom necessary. However, they may be recommended if unusual presentations or underlying conditions are suspected.
Acne is caused by the overgrowth of a bacteria called P. acnes on the skin and is linked to changes in hormones. Hormones called androgens control the amount of oil released onto our skin.
A hormone imbalance means there is a high level of production of the hormone, which causes blockages in our pores, resulting in spots and oily skin.
The hormone imbalance varies in individuals and can be due to many factors such as stress, weather, pregnancy, puberty, or a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Some of the things that trigger acne include:
Sebum Overproduction: Overactive sebaceous glands contribute to excess oil, a key player in acne formation.
Dead Skin Cell Accumulation: When keratinocytes, skin cells, cling to your hair follicles, they impede natural shedding, promoting clogs.
Bacterial Influence: Propionibacterium acnes, a bacterium thriving on the skin, exacerbates inflammation within clogged pores.
Factors Leading to Acne: Some of the factors that lead to acne include:
- Hormonal Flux: Androgen hormones, particularly testosterone, surge during puberty, triggering increased sebum production.
- Genetic Predisposition: Family history plays a role, suggesting a genetic component in acne susceptibility.
Best Acne medications
- Skinoren 20% Cream
- Lymecycline 408mg Capsules
- Differin 0.1% Cream/Gel | Treat Acne
- Oxytetracycline 250mg Tablets
- Treclin Gel
Acne Treatment Strategies: There are different strategies that you can use to treat acne. Below are some of the most common acne treatment strategies.
1. Topical Medications
- Benzoyl Peroxide: This product is used to treat mild to moderate acne and works by killing the bacteria causing acne hence reducing sebum production.
- Salicylic Acid: It is a topical medication accessible in the form of gel, lotion, or cream. Salicylic acid works by exfoliating and unclogging pores.
- Retinoids: They are derived from vitamin A, and they work by unclogging pores, promoting skin renewal, and reducing inflammation.
2. Oral Medications
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Antibiotics: Work by tackling bacterial overgrowth and inflammation by killing bacteria on the skin that can infect plugged hair follicles.
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Isotretinoin: It's a potent oral retinoid reserved for severe cases and works by regulating oil gland size.
3. Hormonal and Birth Control Therapies
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Contraceptives: Hormonal birth control may regulate sebum production.
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Anti-Androgen Medications: Spironolactone may be prescribed for hormonally influenced acne.
4. Procedural and Laser Treatments
- Chemical Peels: Facilitate exfoliation and improve skin texture.
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Laser and Light Therapies: Target acne-related inflammation and scarring.
Written and reviewed by our qualified team — Mr Suhail Jamil, Superintendent Pharmacist (GPhC 2069518).