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Acne

What Is Acne?

Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when sebaceous glands and hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. It often results in the formation of pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads, typically appearing on the face, forehead, chest, upper back, and shoulders. Acne can range from mild to severe and can cause physical discomfort as well as emotional distress due to its impact on appearance. Hormonal changes, genetics, certain medications, and lifestyle factors such as diet and stress can contribute to the development of acne. Treatment options include over-the-counter products, prescription medications, and in-office procedures.

What Are The Features Of Acne?

Mild Acne

non-inflamed blackheads and whiteheads

Moderate Acne

papules and cysts

Severe Acne

widespread papules, nodules or cysts, often with pain and scarring

What Causes Acne?

A whitehead forms when excess oil and dead skin cells build up and plug the opening of a pore. Over time, as the buildup accumulates and oxidises, it turns into a blackhead. When bacteria become trapped within a pore that is blocked by an accumulation of excess oil and dead skin cells, it can multiply, leading to inflammation and the formation of a pimple. In cases where the inflammation penetrates deeper into the skin, it can give rise to a tender or painful nodule or cyst. Cysts are characterised by their softer texture and the presence of pus, while nodules feel harder to the touch.

What Are The Complications Of Acne?

Acne breakouts can lead to permanent scars when treated poorly for an extended period of time. More commonly, acne may leave dark marks seen as red posts called post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) or brown spots called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

Depending on how dark the spot is, it can take more than a year to fade naturally. In order to speed up to recovery, there are treatments and chemical peels available to help your skin look fresh.

What Should I Do When I Have Acne?

Acne is not difficult to treat when a doctor is consulted early and managed correctly. By following your doctor’s regimen, it can be managed and reduced before it causes acne scarring. Early treatment of acne prevents and reduces the severity of scarring and is less painful than treatments available for scars.

What Are The Treatment Options For Acne?

Topical Preparations

Over-the-counter or pharmacy-sold skincare products can help to manage acne through ingredients such as salicylic acid that help to unclog pores.

Below are some examples of common ingredients used to treat acne.

At VIDASKIN, we have formulated our own anti-acne skincare products to complement our clinic treatments as we believe that a good basic regimen is essential to help your treatments go further.

Oral Treatments

Sometimes, prescription medications are recommended to help manage acne. The following are some examples of medications your doctor may recommend:

In-Clinic Treatments

Steroid Injections

While it is used sparingly, steroid injections may be recommended for a large, extremely painful and deep nodule. This can rapidly relieve the pain and size of the breakout within 3 days.

LED Phototherapy

Through a blue and red light combination, LED phototherapy is an effective and safe treatment for mild to moderately severe acne vulgaris.

Hydrafacial

The Hydrafacial is a specialised device that extracts, hydrates and infuses customised serums to suit your skin concerns. During acne, a common issue is skin congestion, which would benefit from a regular deep cleansing facial. Common facials utilise manual extractions to keep the pores clear, however, this can be uncomfortable and can even damage the pore when done incorrectly. We are able to bypass this by using the Hydrafacial device to gently and effectively cleanse out the poor without causing any trauma to the skin. The Hydrafacial’s fusion tip delivers acids to break up oil and debris and hydro-pressure to effectively suction out any impurities.

Lasers

Laser therapies are a useful treatment modality and can enhance treatment response when used in conjunction with topical and oral treatments. Specifically, the picosecond laser is highly recommended for people unable to follow an oral or topical medication regimen. Patients typically require multiple treatment sessions to achieve the desired results, with future maintenance.

Chemical Peels

Peels with ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid and mandelic acid help to exfoliate and remove superficial acne lesions and regenerate new epidermal and dermal tissues. The right peel for your skin is determined by the patient’s skin type, acne activity, and type of acne scars.

VIDASKIN Tips

Can I Use Cosmetics When I Have Acne?

Yes, you may continue to use makeup but make sure to remove all makeup before going to bed with an oil-free makeup remover and a gentle cleanser. For optimal hygiene, clean your makeup brushes every week to prevent breakouts.

VIDASKIN Debunks Myths

Does Diet Cause Or Aggravate Acne?

Findings from a few studies suggest that following a low-glycaemic diet (low sugar level) may reduce the severity of acne. Low-glycaemic foods include most fresh vegetables, some fresh fruits, beans and oats. An American study of 2,258 patients found that a low-glycaemic diet reduced acne, with 87% of patients saying they had less acne, and 91% saying they needed less acne medication.11

In another study, 47,355 adult women were surveyed about their dietary habits. It found that women who drank 2 or more glasses of skimmed milk a day were 44% more likely to have acne than others.12

More research is needed to confirm ongoing scientific theories regarding food-related worsening of acne. In our medical experience, food intolerances or specific dietary restrictions are also highly specific to each individual. Do note that what works for you may not work for someone else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Acne develops when sebum — an oily substance that lubricates your hair and skin — and dead skin cells plug hair follicles. Bacteria can trigger inflammation and infection resulting in more severe acne.
Regular cleansing, twice a day, is ideal for removing those layers of old oil and makeup. Prescription treatments such as topical retinoid cream can be used to unclog pores and exfoliate the skin. Retinoids also have some anti-inflammatory effects, and they increase the rate at which our skin cells divide. Lasers can also help to reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process.
Pimples are a common skin condition caused by clogged or inflamed oil glands or an increased presence of pimple-causing bacteria on your skin. They're a symptom of acne, and there are many different types, including blackheads, whiteheads, cysts and others.

This depends on your type of acne. The best treatment usually targets multiple aspects of the acne pathway which include oil production, inflammation, bacteria and build up of dead skin cells. 

A good maintenance routine is important to keep the skin barrier healthy and clear of blemishes. This includes a good base skincare routine as well as knowing which topicals and actives to incorporate. Some people will also benefit from regular laser treatments.

Have more questions?