We know how frustrating acne can be. Whether you’re struggling to control the periodic pimple or fighting chronic, severe acne, finding the right treatment can be an ongoing battle. While there are countless acne treatments available and the results vary greatly depending on the patient and their skin, certain aesthetic medicine treatments–including many offered at Sisu Clinic–can help provide relief to your acne concerns.
If you’re searching for the best acne treatments available or looking for a way to diminish acne and acne scarring, read on for some useful information. But first, let’s back it up and touch on what causes acne in the first place.
What causes acne?
Let’s first tackle some basics about the makeup of our skin. Our skin has tiny holes in it called hair follicles, which have small glands called sebaceous glands attached to them. The sebaceous glands keep the hair follicle lubricated by producing an oily substance called sebum. Sebum prevents your skin from drying out.
Acne occurs when the sebaceous glands produce too much sebum. This excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells and together they create a blockage in the hair follicle.
This blockage causes–you guessed it–acne.
But what are the triggers or direct causes of acne? There are a number of different ones:
Testosterone
Testosterone is often the cause of acne in teenagers and adolescents. During puberty both boys’ and girls’ bodies increase their production of the testosterone hormone, as it is vital in the human body’s development. The sebaceous glands are very sensitive to hormones, meaning that this increase in testosterone production can also lead to an increase in sebum production, which then can lead to acne.
Genetics
Studies have shown that acne can be hereditary. Teens or adolescents whose parents had acne are more likely to have acne as well. Similarly, adults whose parents had adult acne are more likely to struggle with adult acne themselves.
Female Hormones
Due to their unique hormonal makeup, women are more likely than men to suffer from adult acne. Adult acne can be caused by the hormonal changes that women experience overtime, especially when it comes to their periods, pregnancy, and conditions like ovarian cysts.
Irritation
Acne can also be triggered by certain irritants like cosmetics, medications, continual pressure or friction with the skin (think “maskne” caused by mask wear during the pandemic), and smoking, among other things.
All of these factors can contribute to acne, often triggering different types of acne. And remember, the type of acne you have directly impacts how you can best treat it.
What are the different types of acne?
So let’s get into the various types of acne, some more severe than others. Acne can appear in many different areas of the body, including:
- Face
- Back
- Chest
From there, acne can appear in the following forms:
Blackheads
Small dark bumps that are caused by the hair follicle’s inner lining darkening.
Whiteheads
Similar in appearance to blackheads, but firmer and caused by a plugged follicle bulging out close to the surface of the skin.
Papules
Small red bumps that may feel tender to the touch.
Pustules
Similar to papules, but with a white tip at the center of the pustule that is caused by a build-up of pus.
Nodules
Bumps that are large and hard that appear beneath the surface of the skin. These can be very painful.
Cysts
Large pus-filled lumps that represent the most severe type of acne. These can cause permanent scarring and must be treated carefully.
Adolescent acne vs. adult acne
Acne is a common occurrence for most adolescents, with as many as 93% experiencing it in some form. However, it is far less common (though equally as frustrating) for adults. An estimated 35% of women and 20% of men experience acne in adulthood, with women being far more likely to suffer from acne as an adult.
As mentioned above, acne in adolescence is often caused by genetics and the hormones responsible for development during puberty. Acne in adults is often caused by hormonal fluctuation and medications or health conditions. These different causes might require different solutions.
Though the causes are different, the mental and emotional side effects can be similar. Studies have shown that acne can cause insecurities in both adolescents and adults. In fact, one particular study found that women who struggle with acne are likely to struggle too with a negative body image and low self-esteem. Adult acne is also far more likely to cause acne scarring than adolescent acne, since adult skin doesn’t regenerate as easily. Therefore, additional treatment might be necessary to help treat these side effects.
How can you treat your acne at home?
When it comes to treating acne, there are many different approaches and treatments out there with varying results. Your treatment success may be dependent on many different factors. If your acne persists or becomes more severe, it is always beneficial to consult a dermatologist or other medical provider on what treatment might work best for you.
Here are a few common tricks or habits that you can implement at home to treat your acne:
- Follow a consistent skincare routine. Wash your face using a gentle or mild cleanser no more than twice a day to avoid drying out your skin.
- Avoid using too much makeup or cosmetics as they can clog your pores. Always be sure to remove any makeup before going to bed as well.
- Use “non-comedogenic” skincare products–especially when it comes to lotions and SPF–as these are less likely to block your pores and cause acne.
- Wash your face immediately after exercise to avoid clogging your pores.
- Do NOT try to squeeze or pop your pimples on your own. This can make your acne worse and cause permanent acne scars.
- Over-the-counter acne creams, gels, and ointments that contain benzoyl peroxide can help, but should be used carefully as they can irritate skin and bleach clothing.
If your acne is more severe or cannot be fixed by at-home treatment alone, you may need to be treated with stronger prescription creams and antibiotics or other professional treatments.
How can you treat your acne or acne scars with aesthetic medicine?
Certain aesthetic treatments can make a big difference for your acne or acne scarring. At Sisu Clinic, we have a number of treatments that can positively impact your acne battle. Here are a few that our medical providers recommend:
Sisu Clear*
This deep cleansing facial treatment combats acne by reducing inflammation and killing bacteria, leaving you with a clearer, healthier complexion.
Sisu MaskNe*
This targeted facial treatment can help put a stop to facial irritation and inflammation. It is designed specifically to counteract the effects of prolonged rubbing from mask use.
Microneedling*
This specialty treatment rejuvenates your skin to help you achieve a radiant complexion. It works by removing dead, aged skin cells–the kind that, mixed with sebum and normal bacteria, can lead to acne–to reveal younger, fresher, and remarkably smooth skin.
Microdermabrasion*
If you’re looking for an acne scar treatment, this is the one for you! Microdermabrasion gently rejuvenates your skin and treats scarring, discolouration, sun damage, and stretch marks. It works by delicately sanding skin to remove the thicker, uneven outer layer to make room for a new, fresh appearance.
Learn more about other advanced treatments on our website.
*These treatments are currently only being offered in Ireland
Solve your acne problems today!
Searching for the best acne treatment, cystic acne treatment, or acne scar treatment near you? Sisu has solutions that can be easily customised to your needs.
Sisu Clinic is an advanced doctor-led aesthetic clinic that offers the most advanced beauty treatments in the world. Our aesthetic doctors are highly trained experts and can guarantee you get the best results from your treatment.
To book a free consultation for an acne treatment near you, click here.
To learn more about the acne treatments and other treatments we offer, click here.
Don't forget to follow us on social media for the latest updates and tips on beauty trends, treatments, and more. Embrace the aesthetic revolution today, and discover the power of personalized beauty at Sisu Clinic.
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