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.