Acne Information Hampshire UK

 

What is acne?

Acne is an infection in the sebaceous glands that secrete the greasy material that coats the skin and fine hairs on the face.

  

What causes acne?

The opening of the sebaceous gland gets blocked to produce whiteheads and blackheads.  The stagnant sebum then becomes infected with bacteria. This produces the red spots with yellow heads and the deep, nodular, red cysts that characterise acne.

  

What will happen to acne?

In most people acne is at its worst in the mid to late teens and 95% of people are clear of acne by the time they are 23 years of age. For 5% of people, unfortunately, acne grumbles on into adult life.

  

How can acne be treated?

First the glands need to be unblocked with:

  • Salicyclic acid - in sebum-dissolving washes and lotions
  • Benzyl peroxide - in a micronized form that does not crystallize on the skin surface
  • Tretinoin -  as part of the Obagi Nu-Derm skin care regime
  • Obagi Nu-Derm - especially if the red spots fade to leave brown marks.

Then the bacteria need to be killed by:

  • Benzyl peroxide
  • Antibiotics - orally or in a lotion
  • Roaccutane
  • Laser treatment

  

How can acne be prevented?

Washes and lotions containing salicylic acid, supplemented as needed with micronized benzyl peroxide.