June is Acne Awareness Month

June is Acne Awareness Month and a great opportunity to increase understanding about acne, its causes, treatment options, and skincare routines that can help manage and prevent it.

Acne is one of the most common skin concerns in the UK, leading to 3.5 million visits to UK primary care every year. It can range from a few spots on the face, neck, chest and upper back, which most teenagers will experience, to a more severe problem that can cause scarring. About 95% of people aged 11 to 30 are affected by acne to some extent and about 3% of adults have acne over the age of 35. (source: www.NHS.co.uk/conditions/acne)

What is Acne?

Acne starts in our pores.

Each pore contains hair follicles with sebaceous glands that continuously produce sebum (oils) to moisturise our skin, provide protection, and help remove dead skin cells.

Acne occurs when these hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, which cannot reach the skin surface.

It presents with lesions which can be non-inflammatory or inflammatory. Most people with acne have a mixture of inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions.

What causes Acne?

Clogged pores, and consequently acne, can be the result of several factors:

• Excess sebum production by the sebaceous glands.

• A build up of dead skin cells, impurities and debris.

• Acne bacteria (recently renamed as Cutibacterium Acnes or

C. acnes) - this normally lives on healthy skin, but if normal skin flora is disrupted, bacteria can multiply and contribute to the development of acne.

• Hormonal changes or imbalances.

• Genetic factors (3 out of 4 with acne have a parent that have also had acne).

• External factors such as certain medications, smoking, diet, lifestyle and stress.

Recommended Treatments

Are you ready to improve your skin’s health? We’ve got you covered with bespoke complexion clearing facials.

Benefits of Complexion Clearing Facials

• Deeply cleanses the skin and removes impurities and excess sebum.

• Removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores.

• Calms redness and inflammation, improves skin hydration.

• Enhances results of daily skincare at home.

• Reduces potential for future acne scarring.
  

The choice of treatment will depend on the main cause of acne, age , general health and skin condition, budget and the individual response of the skin to treatment. In cases of hormonal or genetic acne, as long as the underlying cause has not been resolved (if at all possible), acne symptoms are likely to reoccur. In these cases, treatment will offer remission, but maintenance sessions may be required. An adjacent home skincare routine is also key to help alleviate symptoms.

At Selfcare Aesthetic Services, we have completed dermatology and skincare training to ensure you look and feel great. For advice please email: selfcare.aestheticservices @gmail.com or message: 07400438039. Always happy to help.