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Acne
Facts & Fixes
Acne
Acne is the most common skin disease, affecting 85% of
Australians aged 15-24 years old. Very few people manage
to escape their teenage and young adult years without some
pimples and blackheads.
Acne often clears spontaneously. For some young people, acne
however, is a far more serious problem, with the possibility of
permanent physical scarring and emotional effects.
What causes acne?
Acne happens when the pores in the skin become blocked.
Hormones make the oil glands produce more oil (sebum) and
the skin cells become sticky. The oil and sticky cells then block
the pore. A common bacteria called P.acnes builds up in the
pore causing redness and inflammation, and you’ve got acne.
The face, neck, chest, shoulders and upper back are the areas
mainly affected by acne because they have the highest number
of oil glands. Acne usually starts at puberty when increased
levels of sex hormones (known as androgens) cause an
increase in the size and oil production of glands.
If you have a family history of acne, it may also increase your
chances of developing acne.
Formation of Skin Pimples and Acne
1. Healthy hair follicle
2. Pore becomes blocked
Sebaceous gland that
contain sebum
Pore becomes blocked with
sticky cells and sebum starts
to accumulate
Zit myth busters
Because it’s so common, acne is the subject of much
discussion - and many myths. By clearing up some of the
common tales about acne, you can start to focus on clearing
up your acne.
No single food causes acne
(but a low GI diet may help)
You can’t wash acne away
- don’t over wash
Picking your pimples will make them
worse and can lead to scarring
Chill out. Stress can aggravate
acne prone skin.
3. Bacterial accumulation
4. Follicle ruptures
Bacteria accumulation leads
to inflammation - pimple
Follicle ruptures and a pustule
of fluid is formed - acne
Acne treatment advice
Most acne can be successfully treated. It is always best to
talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find a treatment that will
work best for you before spending lots of money on advertised
“quick fixes”.
Treating acne takes time and patience. In mild cases that
may mean a couple of weeks but for the more severe forms
of acne, it may require several months to clear your acne.
The upside is you’ll see results along the way if you use your
treatment as recommended by a health professional.
All acne treatment should
start with good skin care.
A SIMPLE SKIN CARE ROUTINE
The best skin-care routine is to follow these
simple steps twice a day:
Cleanse:
Use a gentle skin cleanser
and pat dry.
Treat:
Apply your acne treatment
to the entire affected area.
Protect:
Finish with oil-free sunscreen during
the day. If your skin is dry, add a
non-comedogenic moisturiser.
Acne treatments - What really works?
Mild acne can often be successfully
treated with products available from your
pharmacy such as benzoyl peroxide.
GPs can prescribe products that attack
the different causes of acne. They will
often prescribe an antibacterial to
clear up the inflammation or a
topical retinoid that unblocks
pores to prevent new acne
forming. Products that combine
different active ingredients,
such as a topical retinoid and
an antibacterial, may be more
convenient to use as they
attack many causes of acne at
once and possibly clear your skin
even faster. Sometimes antibiotic
tablets can also be prescribed and
some girls may get good results
using hormone treatment such as
the contraceptive pill.
Depending on the treatment your
doctor chooses, the cost may be
subsidised by the government.
For more severe acne that is still not
improving, even using prescription
medication, you may need to be referred
to a dermatologist for further assessment
and treatment.
Tips for managing acne
If you use a moisturiser or make-up, make sure they
are oil-free. Avoid oily sunscreens. Some products
use the description 'non-comedogenic’ and/or
‘non-acnegenic’. This means they have been tested
and shown not to worsen acne. Gently wash your
skin morning and night, don’t overdo it.
Use a gentle, non-soap skin cleanser rather than scrubs.
Irritating the skin can actually produce more acne.
Don't squeeze white heads and red lumps.
Squeezing can increase the severity and depth
of acne spots, visibly worsening acne and increasing
the risk of permanent scars.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist whether
any of your medications can worsen acne.
Certain oral contraceptive pills and contraceptive
implants, non-prescription drugs, illicit drugs (such
as anabolic steroids) can also cause or worsen acne.
Avoid direct ultraviolet light - either natural sunlight
or from solariums. Many acne treatments make
the skin more prone to sunburn. Sun protection
should include the use of oil-free sunscreens.
No acne treatment will work overnight,
so don’t try over-applying any product.
Start gradually and if you experience
any unwanted effects such as
stinging, redness or dry skin talk to
your doctor or pharmacist. They will
advise how to reduce these effects
and keep your treatment on track.
What should I ask my doctor?
It can be a good idea to have a list of questions prepared to make
the most of your time with your doctor. Below are some basic
questions you may like to ask your doctor during your visit.
What is the best treatment for the type
of acne I have?
What are the possible side effects of the
medications you're prescribing and how can
I manage these?
Would changing my diet improve my acne?
How long before my acne starts clearing up?
When will you see me again to see whether
my treatment is working?
Do you recommend any changes to the over-thecounter products I'm using on my skin, including
cleansers, lotions and cosmetics?
Should I clean my face more often?
If my acne improves, when should I stop
using the medication?
What can I do to prevent scarring?
Acne – advice for parents
Acne has been around for generations, so the parents of
teens and young adults with acne may also have had acne
when they were young. In fact, children whose parents had
severe acne are more likely to develop acne themselves.
Attitudes and knowledge about acne have changed though.
There is a better understanding now of how acne can impact
on teenagers’ confidence and self-esteem. There is also a
wider range of effective treatments available - both tablets
and creams. No one has to put up with acne.
Tips for parents
Talk to your children, especially teenagers, about their
acne and how it makes them feel.
Resist the urge to tell teenagers they will grow out of
their acne. They don’t have to wait until then – and in
some cases, treatment shouldn’t be delayed.
Encourage young people to get skin and acne advice
from reliable sources such as health professionals
or independent information resources such as
All About Acne. www.acne.org.au
If over-the-counter products aren’t controlling acne
within 6-8 weeks, don’t delay seeking medical advice.
Reduce or stop treatment if it is significantly
irritating the skin.
Early and effective treatment of acne can help prevent
psychological and physical scars.
Remind teenagers to use their acne treatments exactly
as recommended. This will help reduce the risks of
any side effects and increase the likelihood of success.
Remember, acne doesn’t have to be
at the severe end of the spectrum to
cause significant grief. Depression,
anxiety, bullying and social exclusion
are genuine issues for many teenagers.
Acne certainly doesn’t help.
Prepared with the expert advice of
dermatologists from:
For more advice or information
about acne, visit
www.acne.org.au
Proudly sponsored by:
Galderma © June 2013 Galderma Australia
Pty Ltd, 13b Narabang Way, Belrose, NSW
2085 ABN 12 003 976 930.
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