Do I have acne and how can I treat it?

The image you have of someone with acne may be a person with large outbreaks of spots covering a significant area of their skin. However, in reality, there is no single way acne will look in every person.

Acne can be very obvious, but it can also be present in a less obvious way. If you regularly have outbreaks or experience spots cropping up, you could have acne.

When spots appear, you might try several products to deal with them. Regular treatments you can get from your local supermarket claim to help. However, you can find that they don’t really work that well or that they even irritate your skin further.

Perhaps you haven't considered stronger acne treatments before, but they could be the solution you're looking for.

What is acne?

Acne is a common skin condition that affects skin follicles (the tiny holes we all have on our skin). About 9% of people are affected by acne worldwide. It happens when the follicles get blocked and expand, resulting in both blackheads and whiteheads. Acne is most common on the face, back, and chest, but you can experience it elsewhere too.

There are several types of acne, including fungal acne, hormonal acne, and menopausal acne.

Acne may be caused by several factors, but hormones play a significant role. That's why many teenagers experience acne in puberty and women can experience acne during pregnancy or menopause, or if they have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

You might also be more likely to experience acne if it's in your family history, with studies showing that if your parents or siblings have acne, you are more likely to have it too[1].

Who can get acne?

Anyone can experience acne. Although it's more common in teenagers, people of all ages may be affected by it. Around 85% of people with acne are aged 12-24. In teenagers, males are more likely to be affected but in adults it’s women who are more likely to experience acne[2].

An outbreak of acne could be just a few spots and doesn't necessarily have to affect a large area. Some people might not think of their spot outbreaks as acne, but they could still be classified as acne. Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the UK, with 3.5 million visits relating to acne made to doctors and clinics every year[3].

How do I know if I have acne?

Although some people might have a particular image of what acne looks like, there is no one definition. Acne can be less severe and might only present as a few spots that regularly appear.

Some of the common symptoms of acne include:

• Different types of spots, including blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts
• Oily skin
• Skin that feels hot or painful

What are the main ways acne treatments help with acne?

Acne treatments are generally either topical (applied to the skin) or in the form of tablets. They can have a range of active ingredients that help to treat and prevent acne.

For example, some topical acne treatments contain retinoids. Retinoids are anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce irritation and redness. They also act as an exfoliant, removing dead skin cells to prevent them from building up in hair follicles[4].

Other treatments may include active ingredients that act as anti-inflammatories. In addition, many acne treatments will include ingredients that work against the bacteria that cause acne. These may include topical antibiotics, azelaic acid in topical treatments, or antibiotic tablets[5].

Some other treatments for acne could include hormone therapies, which can be particularly helpful for women with acne.

What treatments are available for acne?

It's common to start trying to treat spots and acne with natural or over-the-counter treatments. You can easily pick up products designed to treat spots in supermarkets or other shops, making them convenient to buy. But these can often be ineffective, failing to provide the results you're looking for.

If you don't think of yourself as a person with acne, you probably haven't considered the option of medicated treatments. Medical and prescription acne treatments aren't just for the most serious of acne cases. They can also help to treat and prevent acne for anyone who regularly experiences it.

Medical treatments for acne can include acne cream (or gel) and acne tablets. Both of these types of treatments aim to address the causes of acne. Prescription treatments may be stronger, which can be helpful if you have tried milder products and haven't found them effective.

Here are some of the popular products that are used to treat acne effectively.

Finacea

Finacea is a topical gel, which contains a naturally occurring acid called azelaic acid. This active ingredient helps the skin renew more quickly to reduce blackheads and pimples. It can also help to kill the bacteria that cause acne to prevent outbreaks.

You can use it twice a day to encourage clear skin (or once a day if you find it’s causing irritation). It's also used to treat rosacea.

Duac Daily

Duac Daily is applied every day to keep spots and acne away. It's a water-based gel, which makes it more gentle on the skin than some other products. That means it's an excellent choice for sensitive or irritated skin that might not react well to all acne treatments. Duac Daily is recommended for continuous use to deliver clearer skin.

Differin

Differin is recommended for daily use to help maintain healthy skin after acne has cleared up. This product contains an active ingredient called Adapalene, which is an anti-inflammatory and can help to reduce redness and soreness. Differin is also a retinoid and works as an anti-ageing treatment, so it can help you maintain youthful skin too. It comes as either a cream or gel. The cream is recommended for dry or sensitive skin, while the gel is best for normal or oily skin.

Which is the best acne treatment for me?

Finding the right acne treatment that works for you can seem challenging. Perhaps you have already tried some treatments or lifestyle changes to try and address breakouts. When it comes to prescription medication, you will need to have a consultation with a doctor or someone else who can prescribe medication.

The doctor can assess your situation and needs, and prescribe the most suitable acne medication. They might prescribe either acne cream or acne tablets to help with long-term or recurring bouts of acne.

If a treatment that has been prescribed to you isn't helping as much as you would like, you can explore other options. The most important thing is to get medical advice from a professional to help you find the right treatment.

Get acne treatment

You don't have to have a specific level of acne to seek treatment or try prescription medications. Even if you experience a mild case of acne, the right treatment can help you get smoother, healthier skin. Explore our acne treatments and request a consultation to find out more about your options.

FAQ

How do I get rid of spots?

There are lots of ways you can treat spots. If you think you have acne, avoid washing the affected area too much. Use a mild cleanser and lukewarm water to prevent irritation, and avoid squeezing or picking at any spots. Finding the right treatment can help you tackle spots and acne.

How often should I use acne medication?

It depends on your prescription and what your doctor recommends, as well as the type of medication. Some medications are intended to treat ongoing outbreaks, while others help to prevent them. You might only occasionally need to apply a topical treatment to a small outbreak or you could benefit from using it more regularly.

Do I need to have huge outbreaks to use acne treatments?

There's no strict definition of how serious acne is, or when you can benefit from medicated acne treatments. Even if you don't have lots of big spots or red areas, prescription acne treatments could help you maintain healthier skin.

What if the acne medication I'm prescribed doesn't work for me?

You might not always find the right treatment the first time. If you're using the treatment as directed and not seeing results, get in touch and we can help you find a more appropriate treatment. You might need to use the current product more frequently or try something new. If you experience a reaction, you might need to use it less or perhaps change to something that will suit you better.

References

1.  Loria K. Study: Family History May Factor in Acne Presentation, Severity, and Scarring. In: Dermatology Times [Internet]. Jul 2022 [cited May 2024].

2.  Acne Prevalence. [cited 3 May 2024].

3.  Dawson AL, Dellavalle RP. Acne vulgaris. BMJ. 2013.

4.  Leyden J, Stein-Gold L, Weiss J. Why Topical Retinoids Are Mainstay of Therapy for Acne. Dermatol Ther . 2017;7: 293–304.

5.  Acne - Treatment. In: nhs.uk [Internet]. [cited 3 May 2024].