Acne – not just skin deep
September 13, 2010
Like the majority of people, I
suffered from acne as a teenager.
Fortunately, apart from a couple
of so-so school photos, it was
relatively mild and with medication
had all but cleared up by
my mid 20s.
Others are not so lucky.
Recent studies show that acne
can be associated with low selfesteem,
depression and anxiety,
emphasising that early and
effective treatment can make a
significant difference.
So what causes acne?
When you have a clogged hair
follicle (a “comedone”) and too
much sebum (oil) production, it
provides the perfect environment
for bacteria, most commonly P acnes,
to rapidly multiply and cause
swelling and redness of the follicle.
Regardless of the acne severity,
its management relies on three
key steps – Cleanse, Treat and
Moisturise.
Cleansers should be gentle, pH
balanced, fragrance-free, soapfree,
alcohol-free and non abrasive.
Ideally, they should cleanse
without drying or irritating the skin.
Exfoliating scrubs should not be
used as they can cause further
irritation and inflammation.
Moisturisers should be pH
balanced, light to apply and most
importantly non-comedogenic.
Also, if the patient is using a
treatment which increases
photosensitivity, such as a retinoid,
it should also contain a high SPF.
When it comes to treatment,
most patients will use a topical
OTC or prescription product.
However, regardless of the product
used, it is important to emphasise
to the patient to persist with the
treatment for at least six weeks.
For more
information on
acne with a
consumer
focus, visit the
‘All About Acne’
website at
www.acne.org.au.
O’Brien,
Medical and Regulatory Affairs
Associate at Galderma Australia.
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