EXPERT OPINION: Focusing on Adult acne

What causes it?

The joy of hormonal changes, inflammation but also the pilo-sebaceous unit, the hair follicle and sebaceous unit are joined and many times I see patients with acne who suffer with facial or back hair, a good trick to improve and speed up in clinic and at home acne treatment is to do a few sessions of laser hair removal.

What to use?

Retinoids…. As well as being super anti-ageing , Vitamin A has long been used around the world for the treatment of acne breakouts, it is excellent at not only regulating the oil gland and resurfacing the skin but is also fantastic at minimizing scarring. Things to note with the use of vitamin A… phase it in to avoid skin sensitivities and also as soon as you stop using vitamin A the skin goes straight back to base line so best to combine it with an allogenic Growth factor to regulate the cells long term- my clinic favourite Vitamin A for acne patients is: Acne One- by Mesoestetic

Glycolic acid, an excellent fruit acid (AHA) that has the ability to dissolve the build-up of dead skin cells “plugs” blocking the pores that cause open and closed comedones (blackheads and white heads) our gentle but effective answer: Brightening Peel Booster- Mesoestetic

Acne and inflammation are best friends so the best way to counteract that inflammation and re- educate the skin to heal itself is by introducing an isolated allogenic Growth factor. Why do we want this? Cause they are Anti-inflammatory, healing, anti-microbial, cell regulators and scar healing – Active Serum AQ Skin Solutions is our ultimate fave!!

What to avoid

Dirty pillowcases, drying your face with a dirty towel and dirty facial sponges…. These are the perfect breeding grounds for bacteria (remember Acne is caused by a build up of the P-Acne bacteria) studies have shown that simply avoiding these 3 areas can reduce acne breakouts in patients by as much as 12%

Never ever go to bed with makeup on!!!!!

Vitamin C- I have found that vitamin C used topically on acne patients can actually cause the skin to break out, so best to avoid it till the breakouts are under control.