Acne

The symptoms of acne include 6 different types of spots, oily skin and sometimes skin that's hot or painful to touch. 

The 6 main types of spots are:

• pimples (also called pustules) – small pus-filled bumps with a white tip at the centre

• papules – small bumps that are often red or purple and can feel tender or sore

• blackheads – small bumps on the skin where a pore has become blocked, causing a black tip, or ‘head’  

• whiteheads – similar to blackheads but have a white top, or ‘head’

• nodules – large lumps that build under the surface of the skin and can be painful

• cysts – large pus-filled lumps that develop under the skin and are the most severe type of acne spot. They can be very sore and look similar to boils, and have the greatest risk of causing acne scarring

Acne occurs when follicles or pores in the skin become clogged with sebum (a naturally occurring oily substance that protects the skin), bacteria, or dead skin cells. When clogged, pores can become inflamed, sore and filled with pus. 

Acne is not caused by poor hygiene. In fact, excessive washing can irritate the skin and make acne worse.

Acne risk factors 

There are several factors that can cause acne or trigger a breakout. These include: 

• genetic predisposition – there is a higher risk of developing acne if one of your parents or a close blood relative had severe acne

• changes in hormone levels – hormone changes during puberty can cause an increase in sebum, which can lead to spots. Hormone changes that occur during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy can also cause breakouts

• certain medications – drugs containing corticosteroids, testosterone or lithium can cause breakouts

• smoking – nicotine may cause breakouts of blackheads and whiteheads

• certain foods – diets high in sugar, dairy or processed carbohydrates may make acne worse

• stress – can increase inflammation in the body, aggravating existing acne

• certain beauty products – oily makeup or skincare products, and certain hair care products may aggravate existing acne and cause breakouts 

At Welbeck, we have dermatologists who specialise in acne to offer you the best possible care. During your initial consultation, your consultant will make a diagnosis of acne based on an examination of your skin and by assessing the type of spots that are present.  

Your consultant will also ask you questions about your lifestyle and whether you have been able to identify any breakout triggers. This will help them work out the cause of the acne so they can offer the most effective treatment possible. 

There’s no proven way to entirely prevent acne and avoid breakouts, but there are some things you can try at home to help reduce your risk. These include: 

• avoiding washing affected areas more than twice a day, as this can irritate the skin and make symptoms worse

• only washing with a mild soap and lukewarm water, as very hot or cold water can make acne worse

• trying not to "clean out" blackheads or squeeze spots, as this can cause permanent scarring

• avoiding skincare products that are oil-based 

• removing make-up before going to bed

• washing your hair regularly and trying to avoid letting your hair fall across your face

The main complication of acne is permanent scarring. Early diagnosis and effective treatment are key to preventing scarring caused by acne. It’s particularly important to seek help to prevent scarring if you develop nodules or cysts. 

Acne is often a long-term condition, so ongoing treatment may be necessary. Your consultant will recommend a skin-care routine and products that will best suit your skin and type of acne. 

If self-care doesn’t reduce the instances or improve the appearance of your acne, there are a range of other treatment options. 

Further treatment options for acne are:

• creams 

• oral medication, such as antibiotics

• hormonal treatment, such as spironolactone

• treatment with isotretinoin (commonly known as ‘Roaccutane’) 

For very severe acne where other options have not helped, further treatments may be recommended, such as: 

• steroid injections 

• laser therapy

• chemical peels 

At Welbeck, our dermatologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.