Acne is a skin condition that arises when the skin pores get clogged, leading to a build-up of sebum within the skin. There are varying degrees of severity ranging from mild or moderate cases of acne that cause a few pimples, to severe or cystic acne that can cover the face and back. It is usually associated with teenagers, but it is common in adults too.

Acne manifests in different forms – comedones, blackheads, pustules, papules, nodules, and cysts. Mild cases may not be painful, but severe cases of acne can be quite painful. It can also be detrimental to someone’s psychological well-being as acne and acne scars can affect self-confidence.

Acne can often be easily treated with medication such as topical gels, ointments, and oral antibiotics. MedsNow offers a wide range of prescription-only treatments for acne.

Acne usually appears on the face, chest and upper back as these areas of skin have the most oil glands. Four of the leading causes of acne include:

• Excessive oil production in the skin
• Bacteria
• Hair follicles clogged by oil and dead skin cells
• Hormonal changes

When the glands produce too much sebum, it mixes with dead skin cells and blocks the follicle. This may also cause oily skin and if the plugged follicle is close to the surface of the skin, it can cause a whitehead or blackhead. If there are bacteria on the skin, it can infect the plugged follicles and result in severe types of acne such as cystic acne, papules, pustules, or nodules.

Hormonal imbalance can lead to acne, as can stress, chemicals in skincare products,  pregnancy, or women’s menstrual cycle. The causes may vary from one person to another, so it is advisable to make a note of what triggers the acne and try to prevent it accordingly.

When teenage boys and girls hit puberty their bodies start producing sex hormones which include testosterone. Although testosterone is produced at higher levels in males, females do also produce testosterone. The oil glands become stimulated by hormones and grow bigger, and release more sebum during puberty. This sebum is the oil mentioned above which can then lead to increased acne levels.

Certain lifestyle changes can help in preventing acne. These include:

• Washing the face with a mild cleanser
• Moisturizing regularly (try to avoid very oily moisturizers)
• Using skin care products that are suitable for oily skin
• Using makeup sparingly
• Not touching the face constantly
• Maintaining a healthy diet
• Regular exercise

Our team can diagnose acne with a simple visual inspection of some photos if you are unsure of the diagnosis. There is no particular test as such to diagnose acne. Blood tests are not usually useful unless it is suspected that there may be an underlying hormonal cause e.g. polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Acne is a treatable condition. There are many ways that you can successfully manage the symptoms of acne and reduce the number of breakouts. There are a wide range of different medications from oral pills to topical gels and ointments that you can use to tackle acne. The course of treatment depends upon the type and severity of acne. The team at MedsNow are here to review your case, discuss with you and prescribe the treatments most appropriate for you.

MedsNow has a range of medicines and topical creams that will help you treat acne with excellent results.

Acne treatment includes:

The duration of acne treatment depends upon the nature, distribution and severity of the case however it may need 8-12 weeks to control a flare. It is often challenging to find a treatment to rapidly control acne symptoms.

One of the primary benefits of treating acne is the prevention of scarring, which can be lasting, and sometimes permanent - hurting self-confidence. Acne can also cause psychological stress, which can be addressed by using the right acne skincare products.

The potential side effects of the treatment will depend on which medication you would like to have. We will be able to discuss this with you in more detail once a treatment plan has been agreed upon.

1. How long does acne last?

   Ages 14 to 17 for girls and 16 to 19 for boys are when acne is most prevalent. Most people struggle with acne intermittently for years before their symptoms start to go better as they age. When a person is in their mid-20s, acne frequently goes away. Acne can sometimes persist until adulthood.

2. Does creatine cause acne?

   Creatine and acne have no known relationship. In reality, creatine may be good for your skin, particularly for preventing the effects of ageing. There is some proof that creatine helps lessen UV damage, wrinkles, and sagging skin.

3. Does vaping cause acne?

   We are aware that vaping can significantly dehydrate you and dry up your skin. Your skin is more prone to generate oil and sebum as it becomes drier (which can clog our pores and potentially lead to acne breakouts).

4. Does milk cause acne?

   Although though cow's milk (but not milkshakes) has a low glycemic index, some research indicate that consuming this kind of milk may cause more acne outbreaks. All varieties of cow's milk—whole, low-fat, and skim—have been connected to acne in these research.

5. Does vitamin c help acne?

   Acne-related inflammation can be reduced by the anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin C. When you apply the vitamin topically, the effects are more noticeable. Thus, it aids in enhancing the appearance of acne wounds. It might aid in lowering hyperpigmentation.

6. Do cold showers help acne?

   According to Knapp, cold water might be especially helpful for dry or acne-prone skin. "Hot water will remove your sebum levels (oils) and exacerbate the problem if you have chronically dry skin, therefore cool water is an excellent substitute."

7. Is salicylic acid good for acne?

   A common active component in acne treatments is salicylic acid. This is due to the fact that it aids in clearing up clogged pores and removing dead skin cells, both of which can contribute to the emergence of acne. Using a salicylic acid-containing product can help keep your face clear if you have acne-prone skin.

8. Is acne hereditary?

   Acne can sometimes have underlying genetic, hormonal and lifestyle contributing factors. If the parents had acne, it may increase the chance of their children getting it, but it may not occur. Acne is not generally considered hereditary. Most cases of acne occur irregularly, without any particular reason or cause.

9. Will sunbathing improve my acne?

   Some wavelengths of sunlight can kill acne-causing bacteria, but it is not a recommended practice. In fact, sunlight contains wavelengths that are damaging to the skin. We always suggest a consultation to discuss the best acne products for you. Many acne products would often be recommended to use with a sunscreen regime, and excessive sun exposure would be discouraged.

10. Do acne scars go away?

    Scars from acne do not completely disappear on their own. As age, depressed acne scars frequently grow more obvious due to collagen loss in the skin. However there are numerous procedures that might lessen the prominence of acne scars. Within a few months, post-inflammatory redness or hyperpigmentation may naturally fade.

11. Is acne infectious?

    Acne can be bacterial in nature, but those organisms often cause inflammation. Acne cannot be transmitted from one person to another. If you have a severe case of acne, the use of good acne products can control the condition.

12. Is smoking causing my acne?

    Smoking can be a risk factor and flare some types of acne.

13. How can I prevent scarring?

    Acne may lead to scarring and early treatment can prevent this. The earlier you manage acne with appropriate treatment it will hopefully minimise the chance of scarring. Remember not to pick or squeeze the acne spots as it can cause more damage and inflammation, which increases the risk of scarring.

14. At what age does acne stop?

    There is no particular age for acne to stop. It is the most common in teens, but it is prevalent in adults as well. It can occur at any age. While some people are more prone to getting acne, others aren’t.

15. What foods cause acne?

    Certain foods can promote or worsen existing acne, but none of them actually cause it. These include refined grains and sugars, dairy products like milk and cheese, fast food, and oily food.

16. Does drinking water help acne?

    Hydration is really good for the skin. Some people do report that drinking lots of water helps them feel their skin is clearer, and it also has lots of other health benefits so drinking lots of water should always be a priority.

17. Does toothpaste help acne?

    There is a popular rumour that applying toothpaste can help treat acne, but it is not advisable to do that. Toothpaste may irritate the skin and flare up the acne. It is important to use an appropriate medicated treatment to see the best results.

18. How do I know if my acne is hormonal?

    One way to tell whether you are dealing with hormonal acne is by its location on the face. If there are inflamed cysts around the chin and jawline, you may have hormonal acne. MedsNow can provide hormonal acne treatment if we believe this may be a factor.

19. What is the difference between acne and pimples?

    Acne is a skin condition and pimples are one of its symptoms. With the right acne care, you can help prevent it from getting worse.