What is Acne?
Acne is a common skin condition that causes oily skin and spots by the inflammation of the pilosebaceous unit (the hair follicles and sebaceous glands). It can make skin painful to touch and commonly affects the face, back and chest. Acne can be the result of many things such as stress, hormone imbalances or changes, or hygiene levels. Other things may trigger acne such as diet (inflammation foods), improper use of skincare products. Acne can range from mild to severe and can be either inflammatory with nodules, papules and pustules, or non inflammatory with comedones (blackheads).
What causes Acne?
Acne is caused by an excess of sebum (an oily substance) being produced from the sebaceous glands. It is also caused by altered keratinisation, meaning dead skin cells aren’t sloughing off of the skin’s surface, creating a build up. The bacteria causing acne is called cutibacterium acnes bacteria (c.acnes); clogged follicles with low oxygen rates are a great place for the bacteria to grow.
When follicles are blocked by sebum and skin cells, the follicular wall becomes under pressure. This pressure can build up and the wall will break, spreading the contents ito the surrounding skin. Inflammatory acne occurs when the immune system responds to the bacteria and sebum.
What does Acne look like?
- Comedones (blackheads)
- Papules and pustules (red spots, white heads)
- Inflammation
- Post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation (red or purplish)
- Redness
- Oiliness and shiny
- Scarring
Types of Acne Spots
There are six types of Acne Spots that individuals affected by this condition can develop. Please bare in mind that not every individual with Acne will get all these spot types.
- Blackheads – small black or yellow bumps. They are black due to the inner lining of hair follicles.
- Whiteheads – like blackheads but often firmer and have liquid contained within that does not empty.
- Papules – small red blemishes that can feel sore to the touch.
- Pustules – these are generally red with a white middle, caused by the build-up of pus.
- Nodules – large hard bumps that build up below the skins surface. These are often painful.
- Cysts – these are large pus-filled bumps that are similar in appearance to boils. They carry the greatest risk of scarring.
Acne Treatments
At Aesthetics Life we offer a range of different treatments. We stock AlumierMD medical-grade skin creams and serums available to purchase in the clinic.
Emma, our skin therapist, also offers the following effective treatments for acne and acne scarring:
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