Acne - Management

Treatment Options

Your Doctor should be consulted if the Acne is severe, persistent and/or painful. Your Doctor may prescribe medication to help relieve the symptoms of Acne. THE PILL The oral contraceptive pill (OCP) controls a woman's hormonal cycle. Some types of the pill can help to improve Acne in women because the female hormone oestrogen in the pill counteracts the acne-producing effect of androgens (male hormones). Oestrogen helps to restrict the amount of sebum which flows from the oil producing glands in the skin. Other types of contraceptive pill can worsen Acne so it is important to let your Doctor know if you are prone to Acne. Common OCPs are Mercilon and Diane 35. PIMPLES AND BLIND PIMPLES: Try to keep the skin clean and free from oily build-up by using a medicated face wash in the morning and evening. Using a mild astringent on the skin after cleansing will help to restore the acid/alkaline balance of the skin and constrict open pores which can become clogged with debris. It is best to use a light water-based moisturiser as a thicker, oil-based cream may block the pores and promote the formation of more pimples. Most treatments applied to the skin (topical) are available from your Pharmacy and contain benzoyl peroxide. Your Doctor may also prescribe topical retinoic acid or its derivatives (a vitamin A treatment) or topical antimicrobial agents. These include benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics and azelaic acid. Topical treatment should be applied to the whole of the affected areas of skin and not just to the spots. Continue treatment as acne improves to help keep the spots under control. These treatments can cause skin irritation or dryness in some cases. Ask your Pharmacist for advice about side effects. Medicated cover-sticks are available which contain an antibacterial compound to help conceal the pimple while helping it to heal. Squeezing and picking at pimples does not help the skin to heal and can lead to scarring. Regular, gentle exfoliation with a suitable product will help to keep the skin clean and free of blackheads which can develop into Acne. BLACKHEADS: This requires regular, deep cleansing treatments to remove the blackheads. Wash the skin morning and night with a cleansing gel or foam. Regular, gentle exfoliation with a suitable product will help remove any oily build-up and penetrate the hair follicles to clean out any debris which may accumulate to form blackheads. Using a mild astringent toner helps to refine the follicles and tightens open pores on the skin. A light, water-based moisturiser will help to minimise the production of natural oils on the skin and if applied to damp skin, may help more oil-free moisture to be absorbed. A clay-based mask can be used twice a week to gently draw impurities out and improve the appearance of the skin. CLOSED BLACKHEADS AND MILIA: It is not advisable to attempt to remove this type of blackhead at home as the skin surface needs to be pierced with a sterile needle to remove the contents. A Beauty Therapist is trained in the most effective techniques which help to reduce the risk of scarring. The same regular beauty routine that is suggested for blackheads can be followed. CYSTS: This type of Acne often requires medical attention and prescription drugs e.g., antibiotics. It is best to keep the skin clean and free of oil build-up by following the above guidelines for pimple management. Do not attempt to remove or squeeze a cyst as it can be very painful and may result in scarring. ACNE SCARS: Severe acne often causes scarring that is difficult to treat. With time the scars tend to improve. Topical retinoids used long-term may be helpful. There are a number of techniques which can help to reduce the visible signs of scarring. A Beauty Therapist will often use techniques such as a glycolic peels and special creams to help soften the scar tissue and improve the texture of the skin. A cosmetic surgeon can also offer a number of options to improve the appearance of scarring e.g., dermabrasion, laser resurfacing or collagen injections. Vitamins A, E and zinc may help to improve scarring. These nutrients can be taken internally and moisturising creams are available which contain vitamins A and E.