Acne Treatment

Acne is very common, and because it varies in severity from person to person, there are lots of different ways to treat it. We want to help you get your confidence back and that is why we provide acne treatment in the UK.

Our pharmacists will take the time to speak to you about the acne treatment that you need, understanding your symptoms as well as any other concerns that you may have. We can provide a variety of different acne spot treatments, some of which can be obtained without a prescription.

Acne is a very common skin condition which occurs when hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells and oil from the skin called sebum. This plug usually gets infected by bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes and this creates the spots though the severity of an outbreak depends on the strain of bacteria.

There are six main types of outbreaks which fall under the umbrella term, ‘Acne’. They are:

• – Blackheads – known as open comedones, these are follicles with a wider opening which are plugged with sebum (oil) and dead skin cells. A chemical reaction between this material and oxygen results in this build up turning black in colour.
• – Whiteheads – known as closed comedones, these spots are filled with the same material as a blackhead but the opening in the skin is microscopic and since oxygen cannot get into it reminds white.
• – Papules – these are small bumps which are often red and painful to touch
• – Pustules – they have a similar look to papules but with a white centre caused by a pus build-up
• – Nodules – felt as painful hard lumps under the skin
• – Cysts – large lumps filled with pus and most likely to leave a scar.

Medications reduce oil production, speed up skin cell turnover, fight infection from bacteria, reduce inflammation and reduce scarring.

You will be recommended an acne treatment based on a number of factors including your age, the severity and/or type of acne you have and what you are happy to try. For example, some treatments require you to wash your face and/or apply a gel or cream twice a day which may be considered too much of a commitment to someone who lives a very busy lifestyle. Medication which comes in the form of an antibiotic can affect gut health and this may not be the best choice for certain patients either. These types of concerns can be discussed with one of our highly trained pharmacists so you can find the most effective treatment for your situation.

In terms of the length of time it takes to see changes to your skin, it can depend on the severity of your acne and where you are in your skin’s shedding cycle when you begin the treatment. Some treatments will show results from one week whereas others may take six to eight weeks.

In the UK, the most widely used treatments are:

• – Benzoyl peroxide
• – Nicotinamide
• – Azelaic acid
• – Topical retinoids
• – Topical antibiotics
• – Antibiotic tablets
• – Combined contraceptive pills

Book your appointment with us today to get the acne treatment that you need!