Acne is a very common skin condition that originates in the oil gland apparatus that is present in the skin. The natural purpose of this oil gland is to produce a natural moisturising and protective barrier oil that coats the surface of the skin.
If this process of the oil spilling out to the surface of the skin is blocked you will get an Acne, a pimple or a Zit. Please understand that this is a very simplistic explanation. There are generally 4 conditions that act individually or together to give you an Acne. There could be a block at the opening or skin pore (blockage with dried up oil, dead skin, makeup, sunscreen), there could be an over production of oil in the skin, there could be a bacterial infection (there are bacteria called P Acne that are most commonly implicated in Acne) or you could have a skin type which mounts an excessively aggressive inflammatory response to a small blockage in your oil glands.
Whatever the process the blockage, bacteria or the skin’s defence (inflammatory response) you will get a pimple or acne of some type.
An accurate estimate of the costs is only possible after an in-clinic consultation with Dr Prashant. We charge a £50 deposit to secure your consultation with Dr Prashant, this amount will be deducted from the costs of the treatment you go on to have at our clinic.
Please contact us to find out more.
Disclaimer – Prices mentioned are just indicative of current average price ranges for the treatment. You will need an in-clinic consultation for a quote applicable to you. Also note that prices are subject to change, please contact a member of the team to confirm the current price range.
What causes Acne – is it a disease?
Acne is an extremely common and relatively harmless skin condition. In some patients it can be quite aggressive and leave behind actual and emotional scarring. It can have many different causes as highlighted above.
What are the different types of acne?
All the different types of acne can be understood if you follow the explanation of the cause of acne above. If the oil gets clogged and dried up at the opening of the skin pore, then it gets oxidised to a black coloured plug often called a Comedone or Comedogenic Acne. If the plug does not get oxidised it appears white and is therefore called a Whitehead. When the blocked gland and skin tissue around it get inflamed, raised, red and painful and are felt like a solid bump inside your skin, you have Nodular Acne. If you have a blocked gland, that is infected, inflamed and has a point of pus at the tip on the skin you have a Pustular Acne. Finally if you have a large lump underneath your skin that is full of pus you have a Cystic Acne which sometimes is combined with Nodular Acne a condition which is described as Nodulo-Cystic Acne.
Do I have Severe Cystic Acne?
While an accurate diagnosis can be made in the clinic, if you have large acne pustules that heal with severe scarring, there is a high chance you have nodulo-cystic or cystic acne and will need a course of Oral treatment with Isotretinoin.
Why do I have acne on my back, is this not supposed to be on the face?
Given that acne is a disorder related to the sebaceous oil glands, it can occur where ever the density of these glands is high in the skin. It can therefore occur on the face, upper chest, upper back and the shoulders.
What can I do for my backne or bacne, is there a cure for back acne?
The treatment of backne or bacne or back acne is determined on the basis of the severity of the disease. Most patients will benefit with pre shower 5% Benzoyl Peroxide application, while a subset will need oral antibiotics or Isotretinoin treatments.
Do fast food or chocolate cause acne?
All food which has a high Glycemic Index (the ease with which the body can extract sugar from a food; so chocolate would be really easy, so High Glycemic; a piece of Brocolli wold be low glycemic) can predispose you or worsen your Acne Condition. Fast Food, Refined Carbohydrates, Sugar, Chocolate are certainly to be avoided or indulged in extreme moderation if you want to reduce your Pimples/Acne. Milk Products can also worsen acne, but this seems to be due in part to the intolerance or inability to digest milk that is quite prevelant in the population.
Why do teenagers get acne?
During puberty, the balance of female and male hormones rises and falls at different times till the levels stabilize to adult levels in the mid 20 years of age, in both sexes. Whenever the androgens (male hormone, which is also present in females) component is predominant there is a stimulus for overproduction of oil, which predisposes you to Acne.
Why do I get acne around my periods?
As mentioned above the cause of acne relates to an imbalance between the androgens and oestrogen/progesterone (female hormones), the fluctuating hormonal levels are responsible for the menstrual cycle, consequently in patients with a bigger hormonal influence, the acne happen just before the periods start. Hormonal Acne are typically located around the lower jaw and chin.
Do women in their 30’s and 40’s get Acne?
Yes, there is a subset of women in whom the acne problem starts in the late 20s and continues into their 40’s. The acne in this group is generally hormonally influenced. Rosacea can often present like acne in this age group and needs to be diagnosed.
Do I have acne or rosacea?
While in the younger age group up to 30 years of age, it is generally Acne that is the problem, Rosacea which is a very common skin condition can also have a presentation similar to Acne in the older age group of women. The distinction between the two conditions is that in Rosacea, triggers like spicy food, alcohol, heat, stress, or exercise can cause an intense redness or flushing of the skin around the nose and cheeks, it can also be associated with thread veins in these regions. When you have your consultation with Dr Prashant at his Reforme Medical Clinic in Cardiff, he will be able to help you with the diagnosis.
Will I have Acne if my mother had it when she was young?
There is definite hereditary connection of acne and the chances that you will have acne if your parents had them growing up are high. Other familial conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or Metabolic Syndrome also show hereditary tendencies.
What will get rid of my acne?
There are many extremely effective treatments for acne. But the first thing that will help is in your hands (it literally is). Touching your face either with your fingers or cell phone worsens blockage of the skin pores and should be avoided. Cut your nails short as sharp nails will cause micro injury to the skin when you touch your face and transmit aggressive bacteria into the area of the acne, worsening it.
Treatments of acne consist of :
Why do I get acne on my forehead?
Most patients who suffer from forehead acne have Dandruff and when the Dandruff is managed they see a dramatic relief of their forehead acne.
What can I do for my blackheads and whiteheads?
There are some very effective cleansers and creams that Dr Prashant can prescribe that will reduce both Blackheads and Whiteheads within a 4–6 week period.
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