Every person is different and therefore a visit to the doctor should be organised if acne is causing a person distress or affecting their enjoyment of life. Apart from the physical discomfort and risk of scarring from severe acne, there is also an emotional price to pay for not intervening early. Acne can undermine confidence, batter self-esteem and cause anxiety and depression if left untreated.

Acne is usually categorised into the following:

• Mild Acne
• Moderate Acne
• Severe Acne

If your acne is limited mainly to whiteheads and blackheads, you probably have mild acne, especially if the lesions do not cover large areas of the face or body.

If you have papules (raised reddish bumps) or pustules (raised reddish bumps with white centres) you may have moderate acne, especially if the lesions are widespread across the face or body.

If you have large, deep, solid and painful lumps or cysts under your skin, you may have severe acne. The breakouts cover large areas of the face or body and last longer than in moderate acne, often not going away for months or years.

The best way to know what category you fit into is by having your acne assessed either by a GP or one of our dermatologists. From there, they can help you find what form of treatment will be most appropriate for you.

The treatment that will suit you best is depending on a few factors, such as your skin type and the severity of the acne. For milder cases, your dermatologist may recommend topical treatments such as medicated creams and cleansers. For more persistent cases, they may prescribe medical intervention through prescription treatments.

Cystic acne, the most severe form, is usually treated with a retinoid tablet called Isotretinoin. This is a very effective treatment that has been used for many years, but due to its potential side effects it can only be prescribed in certain conditions and under close medical supervision.

There are two different types of marks left behind by acne: scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. These marks will vary depending on a number of factors such as skin tone and acne severity. The good news is that with the proper skin care plan, both can be treated effectively.

Chemical peels, broadband light therapy are all effective treatments to assist in fading dark and red marks and treating mild scarring, as well as helping to prevent further acne. Acne scarring is more severe and treatment can include laser resurfacing, fractional radio frequency, skin needling and, in some cases, dermal fillers.

Chemical Peels:

• Do not use a retinoid product 5 days prior to the chemical peel.
• You must use a physical sunscreen with at least an SPF 30+ every day for at least 3 weeks prior.
• Do not use any benzoyl peroxide product or any other product that can cause dryness, redness or irritation 3 days prior.
• If prone to cold sores, a physician-dispensed prescription must be used 2 days before and 5 days after the chemical peel.
• You must not have recently waxed or used filler injections for 1 week prior.
• You must not have had IPL or laser hair removal 2 weeks prior.

Light Therapy

• Avoid any sun exposure before and after your LED Light Therapy treatment.

Skin Needling

• You must not use Isotretinoin for the past 6 months
• Do not use topical agents that may increase sensitivity of skin: retinoids, topical antibiotics, exfoliants, acids that may be drying or irritating to the skin (such as alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) beta hydroxyl acids (BHA), exfoliating masks, salicylic acids, hydroquinone, and benzoyl peroxide acne products) 5-7 days prior
• Do not take any anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, Motrin or Advil for 3 days prior to treatment. These agents will interfere with the natural inflammatory process that is critical and responsible for your skin rejuvenation
• Avoid IPL/Laser procedures, unprotected sun exposure or sunburn for 2 weeks prior
• You must refrain from waxing, depilatory creams or electrolysis to area being treated 5-7 days prior
• No shaving the day of the procedure to avoid skin irritation. If there is dense hair present in the treatment area, closely shave the area the day before you arrive to your appointment. Moles, warts or actinic (solar) keratosis cannot be treated.
• If prone to cold sores, a physician-dispensed prescription must be used 2 days before and 5 days after the chemical peel.

Side effects of acne treatments vary depending on the method you choose and the strength of the medication.

For topical acne drugs, the most common side effects are skin dryness and irritation. Fortunately, these symptoms are temporary. They often improve as your body gets used to the medication. If your skin itches, burns, or peels heavily, tell your dermatologist. Topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide can also make your skin red, dry, and sensitive to sunlight.

The potential side effects for oral medications can be more serious. Antibiotics can give you an upset stomach or make you dizzy and lightheaded. Oral isotretinoin can cause severe side effects, especially if you become pregnant while taking it.

For any cosmetic treatments, your dermatologist will inform you of any potential risks or side effects specific to the treatment you wish to undertake.

Depending on your treatment and for how soon you expect to see results, it depends on a couple of different factors. Generally, we recommend treatment every four to six weeks for best results.

Acne treatment needs time to work. Using a new acne treatment may irritate your skin, initially worsening acne by causing new breakouts. If a treatment is right for you, you should notice some improvement in 4 to 6 weeks.