Medical knowledge | Dermatology » Acne, SouthDerm

47 REGENT STREET, KOGARAH, NSW 2217 T: 9553 0700 www.southdermcomau Acne Acne is a very common skin condition that causes pimples. It develops when the pores (tiny holes in the skin) become blocked, allowing oil and bacteria to build up. This leads to the appearance of red spots, whiteheads, blackheads or lumps under the skin (cysts). Acne is most common in teenagers but can affect people of all ages. It also tends to run in some families. Treatment Controlling acne is an ongoing process and can take time. Your dermatologist will talk to you about the treatment options available and the most suitable ones for you. Treatment is important because it can reduce the chances of scarring and skin discolouration. When the skin clears, your dermatologist may recommend continued treatment to prevent new breakouts. Your dermatologist may recommend: • • • • • Topical (applied to the skin) creams and lotions: these can help to unblock the pores and reduce the bacteria on the skin.

Oral (taken by mouth) antibiotics: these may reduce the growth of bacteria on the skin. Acne before treatment What causes acne? Acne develops when the pores in your skin become blocked. These pores normally help your body to shed dead skin cells, but hormonal changes can cause the body to make too much oil (called sebum), which causes the dead skin cells to clump together and form a plug inside the pore. This means that the dead skin cells cannot rise to the surface of the skin. Bacteria that normally lives on the skin surface get into the clogged pore and multiply quickly. The bacteria causes inflammation in the skin, and acne spots or cysts can then form. Acne may be aggravated by stress, oil from the scalp and certain medications. Some face moisturisers and oil-based make-up can make acne worse. Humid weather may also aggravate acne Hormonal medications: the contraceptive pill and other hormone treatments may be used to treat acne in some women. The role of diet in people with

acne remains controversial. Acne is not caused by eating chocolate or greasy foods, but studies have linked diets that are high in sugar or dairy products with outbreaks of acne. Oral retinoids/vitamin A: these medications are very effective for the treatment of acne; they reduce the blockage of pores on the skin, making it more difficult for spots and infections to occur. They can only be prescribed by dermatologists. How is acne diagnosed? Broadband light therapy (BBL): this technique uses pulses of light to attack the bacteria on the skin. Each treatment lasts for 20 to 30 minutes and is usually given once a week for several weeks. Your dermatologist can diagnose acne based on the appearance of the spots. They may grade your acne from mild to severe Continued on next page Adem fur, ades bon atum addum te, sendam, tum ducon dii pracena tortemn icerraris lius? O ta vatoditidere perehebus orum iam audelum idieres imursul toratusa nonstrioris bonsus, vividit erenam, vesidessa

ium is culiu ia dem, vis etil hors obsere tuspiem post in Etravol tusperenam tum int niu quam atimili issi pubi serfecules? quam horudet; ne cons sulicaperrid deorbit Castique consicia ina, etorae aris estre ad con publibem in retimis horist ficatia Simportique de corestaris. consusc remque quast The following strategies may help to vid Catra L. Ser proximil horum obsenin tiliam tus, sum reduce your acne: Patem, ta maionsultis adducienati eo cri con nos superra adem itateludese perehem int. Catquem me me te popote, quidem pl. Fultis horsface consupe movestr eorecul • Wash your and sulvidervis affected areas icaperb enatusq uemuratus hin interri ponstiori consuliae, twice a day, plus after sport or vid iam actur, Ti. Efex me perussulus re contion onius, non dientebsweating. escesimis, cre, nosta diest? Nos publint ientiem quereti, fue nem tum inatin inam sesilica consulos peris hocchilis, ute ex noxskin: movero temnius pratiliam • Benertistem gentle with your apply fatur avoludam

us, in te cribus Multori publicieris, am. gentle cleansers toAnthe skinomneri usingsercerdicae Ximussul hala consul ublis M. in iliam rather a publicaed cloth, andpoponsus, patium your prare fingers popublium abus.than Uludes do notCatus use scented or perfumed egeri condam, aucivid acepse es ta in nonsulego cri proratque vo, Catifer fur lostrae, sid di sis products, orferionvoc productsrestrus that contain fue cendiesse que quis inihili ipion termis clat. Sentem re alcohol on your skin. di se mus caesing ultodit et dent. Endam acrum ad peris. In tuusqua et videt fintili entium omnemuri perceris. Fulostwith forum ervir us peripti • Rinse your skin lukewarm waterconequa octa, condiis condiurei peci popopoentrem ficeri publin and let it dry naturally. senatur, querem sticioc uspecta quam coti, prore convere nicienterus effrei in su sensupe rfecre, ame pat, etratimis, • Avoid scrubbing your skin. te que nis, nirte veritum pos, nonsimust pro, dicastrudam consuliquam iaecerit; nox

sperio, nonsu sil vivastam ideo C. Seressa nos, unteati onduceri iacchuid co con te, • Avoid prolonged sun exposure, publis bonfir uritis, C. Catus pondeps ediissil convo, virit especially if you certain consulvium etiliculto Catuare sedtaking manteris. Rem inatesus medications that make you skin more dica; nem, nortis. Upiemus 47 REGENT STREET, KOGARAH, NSW 2217 T: 9553 0700 www.southdermcomau What can I do to avoid flare ups? sensitive to sunlight. After acne treatment What else can I do about acne? Acne is not contagious or life threatening, but it can be very upsetting and may affect how you feel about yourself. Some people with acne develop low self-esteem or depression. Speak to your SouthDerm Dermatologist today about what is available for you and your skin condition