Acne
What is acne?
Acne, otherwise known as acne vulgaris is a very common skin condition, usually featuring blackhead and whitehead spots, which happens when hair follicles and pores become blocked by oil and dead skin cells.
Different types of acne
The six main types of acne are as follows:
- Blackheads – Small, black or brown spots that are caused when the open pore is clogged with oil which turns brown due to pigmentation in the follicle.
- Whiteheads – These are similar to blackheads, but are white in colour due to being filled with pus. In these cases, the pore is blocked and won’t pop when they are squeezed.
- Papules – These appear as small, red bumps, and may be sore to the touch.
- Pustules – these are the same as papules, but are further developed with a white tip at the centre caused by the build-up of pus.
- Nodules – These exist under the skin, rather than on the surface and appear as large painful lumps.
- Cysts – These are the most severe, and look similar to boils. They appear as large pus-filled lumps and carry the greatest risk of scarring.
What are the causes of acne?
Acne is usually linked with hormonal changes that occur during puberty, though it can start at any age. When testosterone hormones become active during puberty in both males and females, the sebaceous glands (those that produce the sebum oil that is secreted onto the skin) become oversensitive and produce excessive amounts of oil. The excess oil, combined with bacteria on the skin and dead skin cells not being shed properly, can cause hair follicles and pores to become blocked.
The bacteria that normally lives on the skin without any problems, then begins to multiply which causes inflammation and the creation of pus-filled spots.
Acne can also be hereditary, meaning that if one or both of your parents had acne, it’s more likely that you will have it. There is no evidence that diet or poor hygiene cause acne.
How can acne be prevented?
It may not be possible to prevent acne, but you may be able to reduce the affects.
Avoid squeezing the spots or clearing out the blackheads as this can lead to scarring and make the spots worse. Don’t wash the areas affected by acne too frequently, as it can irritate the skin and make the condition worse, when the area is washed, use lukewarm water, as water that is too hot or cold can make the acne worse. Finally, always make sure you shower after exercise, and remove makeup before bed, to ensure that your pores remain unblocked.
What is the treatment?
The symptoms of acne can be treated, although it can’t be cured. You may be able to get over-the-counter creams from the pharmacy that can help with the symptoms. Your consultant dermatologist will be able to prescribe treatments that are unavailable over the counter, such as certain laser acne treatments to help reduce the appearance of acne scars.


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While it’s very common in teenagers, acne can be a persistent problem for some adults too. But what causes acne to continue into adulthood? Is it to do with make-up and cleanliness? Or can overcleaning our faces actually be one of the main problems? Dr Moumita Chattopadhyay, one of our top dermatologist based in Birmingham, explains why acne forms in adults and how many times we should be washing our faces a day. See more


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Although acne is a common skin problem, it can affect people’s confidence and self-esteem whether they suffer from it in their teenage years or in adulthood. In this expert guide to acne, leading dermatologist Dr Ravi Ratnavel answers commonly asked questions about the skin complaint, and gives specialist advice on selecting makeup and cosmetics, treatment options and when to see a dermatologist. See more


Acne FAQs: Ask an expert
By Dr Ophelia Veraitch
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The unsightly appearance of acne can seriously affect a person's confidence and mental wellbeing. To discuss treatment options and the causes behind acne, we invited leading consultant dermatologist Dr Ophelia Veraitch to answer frequently asked questions about the skin condition. See more


How to treat acne scars
By Dr Hiba Injibar
2022-05-26
When experiencing acne, it can feel like a struggle to feel good about ourselves. Luckily, with the help of Dr Hiba Injibar, the effects of acne on both our skin and mental health can be minimised. With her impressive repertoire in dermatology, Dr Injibar offers comprehensive care for treating the root cause of acne and also the more persistent symptoms that include scarring. Find out how acne scarring can be avoided, why it sometimes occurs, and what the treatment options are for smoother skin, in this latest Q&A. See more
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The ISAC Clinic
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