It’s so frustrating waking up every morning to fresh breakouts (whiteheads, papules) and not seeming to get to the root of the problem. It doesn’t matter what products you use, the routine you follow or what you eat, they still keep coming. It’s soul destroying.

Once the spot, papule, or whitehead has erupted or the lumpy cyst keeps reminding you with a nagging lump or soreness under the skin and blemishes that leave marks on your skin and possible scarring at worst. Acne can also be painful and affect your confidence, hiding behind a scarf, your phone or a roll neck. It always seems unfair for teenagers as it comes at a time when you are possibly most self-aware and causes a shyness and social barrier to making friends and may stop you from becoming your grown-up self. 

Acne is the most common skin concern it’s a high percentage of 95% of people aged between 11-30 that are affected to some extent and 3% of adults have acne over the age of 35. Did you know the area of the acne facially can indicate the underlying cause of the acne, see a list of possible causes below.

Acne is a blocked hair follicle and sebaceous gland in the skin. 

Causes – the acne bacteria know at cutibacterium lives on healthy skin and if the skin flora is disrupted bacteria can multiply and contribute to the development of acne.  This can be linked to several factors; 

Excess sebum production by sebaceous glands.  

Hair follicles clogged with oil and dead skin cells. 

Bacteria contaminating and infecting clogged follicles. 

Genetic factors 

External factors such as pharmaceuticals, smoking, diet, hormones, lifestyle, high stress and imbalances. The body can become over loaded from processed foods and pollutants, working overtime to detoxify, resulting in a flare up or illness as the immune system is overloaded. Skin is a route to eliminate these toxins resulting in breakouts and as the largest organ the skin can indicate a persons overall health and reflect something going on inside the body with digestion, constipation, poor diet, dehydration, high sugar diet, PCOS in Women, stress levels, environmental toxins, hormonal imbalances, poor gut health, poor lymphatic drainage, bacterial infections, kidney or liver stress, poor detoxification and food sensitivities. As you can see if can be a challenge to find a resolution and complicated as each person is individual with needs.

The cause of treatment will depend on the main cause of action and age of the patient, general health, skin condition, budget and individual response to treatment. 

What can you do to help…

Avoid foods high in saturated fats and sugars. 

Eats more greens, kale, spinach, avocado, and less processed foods. 

Drink more water 1.5 litres. 

Use a non comedogenic skincare with medical grade ingredients. 

Use a LED blue light to stop bacteria spread. 

Use aloe vera to help repair skin barrier and avoid any products with oils. 

Book a course minimum 3 of deep cleansing facials and Dr Platon to aid healing and reset skin. 

Consider fasting and avoid dairy products. 

Change your pillow case every two days and avoid putting your phone to your face. 

Stop touching skin unless cleaning or applying products with a one-swipe-then bin action for application.