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Acne Treatment in London

Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Daniel Glass
Medically reviewed byDr Daniel GlassConsultant Dermatologist · GMC 46059808 July 2024

ACNE TREATMENT IN LONDON

Is stubborn acne affecting your skin and self-confidence?  The team at The Dermatology Clinic London are experienced in acne treatment and understands its impact on your psychological well-being. While over-the-counter treatments work for some people, for others, acne can be more severe and require treatment from an acne specialist.

Get in touch today to find out how our team of Acne Dermatologists can help you to get rid of acne.

What is Acne?

Acne is a highly common skin condition in the UK that causes breakouts on the face, neck, back, and chest. Around 95% of people aged 11 to 30 experience acne at some point in their life. The medical term for acne is acne vulgaris.

During our teenage years, our bodies undergo hormonal changes that cause glands under the skin’s surface to produce excess oil called sebum, which leaves the body through our pores. When the pores are blocked, the oil becomes trapped underneath, causing a pimple to appear. This is why we get mild acne in the form of blackheads and whiteheads. Spots usually appear on the face, but they can sometimes be found on the neck, chest and back as well.

Acne is a reaction to a bacterium known as C. acnes, which multiplies in the natural oil found in the skin pores, forming comedones (blackheads). Your body’s immune system reacts and causes inflammation. The skin reddens and the pimple becomes enlarged and can fill with pus.

The condition causes six different types of spots pictured below:

Severe acne is difficult to treat without professional help, but experts at The Dermatology Clinic London offer a number of treatments that produce excellent results. It is important to treat acne early to minimise the risk of scarring.

Can anyone suffer from acne?

Although most common in teenagers, acne can occur at any age and our team is experienced in treating adult acne using a range of effective treatment methods. Most acne clears up by the early to mid-twenties, but the condition can persist for years. It’s also not uncommon particularly in women for acne to develop for the first time aged 25 or older. It’s also not uncommon, particularly in women, for acne to develop for the first time aged 25 or older, or during pregnancy, as pregnancy acne is a common skin concern for many expecting mothers.”

What are the main causes of Acne?

There are several factors that can cause acne. Here are some of the most common.

“With a proper treatment plan and skincare routine in place, the impact of acne on an individuals life can be significantly reduced.”

Dr Glass, Consultant Dermatologist

To learn more about any of our treatments or to get a personalised acne treatment plan, make an appointment with one of our dermatologists.

Menstruation and hormonal influence

Women are more likely to have adult acne than men. Many women report that acne gets worse before or during their menstrual cycle. During this time of the month the oestrogen and progesterone hormone levels begin to decrease, which results in testosterone being relatively higher. This may lead to a flare up of acne at this time.

Pregnancy

Acne can commonly occur in pregnant women, but then acne is generally a common condition. There is no real consensus as to whether pregnancy makes acne worse or better as both situations have been reported in medical literature. What is clear is that acne treatment options are more limited in pregnancy.

Medical conditions

Acne in women can sometimes be linked to systemic diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is a condition which causes acne in women as well as excess hair growth, irregular periods and weight gain. In PCOS the levels of testosterone are increased. The greater the testosterone levels, the more oil is produced in the sebaceous glands, which can cause the hair follicles to block and acne to develop.

What are the best treatments for Acne?

There is no single treatment for acne. Because the condition is caused by all sorts of factors, holistic, personalised treatment is the best option for achieving clearer skin.

Here are some of the treatments available at our clinic:

Acne treatment at The Dermatology Clinic London

Acne can be treated in many ways, depending on its severity. Our experienced dermatologists in London can help to clear acne even when over-the-counter products haven’t worked.

When you go for your initial Acne consultation at our clinic, one of our clinicians will begin by looking through your medical history and talking about your acne concerns.

After an initial consultation, our Dermatologists will recommend a suitable treatment plan based on the severity of your acne and any additional costs will be outlined.

Every patient at our clinic is unique and our acne dermatologists will ensure that treatment is tailored to the individual. Topical treatments include creams, lotions and gels that are applied to the skin. We might also prescribe antibiotics to help clear your acne. If your acne is severe or inflamed, it’s important to begin treatment as soon as possible to lower the risk of scarring.

If your acne is so severe that it doesn’t respond to the above treatments, we may prescribe medication that reduces the production of sebum. Treatment plans may involve a combination of different treatments. Blood tests may be required for monitoring some acne medications. It may take some time to see improvements once treatment is underway.

You can request to be seen by any of our Dermatologists, including Dr Glass.

The psychological impact of acne

Acne can have a huge impact on psychological well-being, both for people in their teenage years and for people with adult-onset acne. It is common for people with acne to say that the acne affects their self-confidence. For some teens acne is not bothersome, A smaller number of teens have more severe acne which is important to treat to avoid permanent scars. If you or your child is experiencing psychological or psychosocial stress related to acne, don’t ignore the problem. We strongly recommend that any teen or adult experiencing psychological effects from acne seek advice from a professional dermatologist .With a dermatologist’s help, you can often effectively control the acne.

Early treatment can prevent emotional distress and acne scars.

Acne treatment before and after

Discover the effectiveness of our acne treatments through real patient results. Our before-and-after gallery showcases the improvements in skin health and clarity achieved with our care.

Acne on patients forehead before treatment

Clear Skin is Possible!

The Dermatology Clinic London is a centre of excellence in diagnosing and treating skin conditions, including acne. With personalised dermatology care, you can trust us to take control of your skin so that you can put your best face forward with total confidence.

Acne treatment costs

NEW PATIENT APPOINTMENT – any surgical treatment or injection will be in addition to consultation fee£325
FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENT£275

Your initial consultation is an important meeting to talk about your concerns.

Our consultations are carried out by consultant dermatologist Daniel Glass who will review your medical history and examine your skin to make a diagnosis. After this, an acne treatment plan will be made and any additional costs will be outlined.

Payment for your first consultation is normally taken at the time of booking the appointment.

Blood tests may be required for monitoring some acne medication. These blood tests are not included in the price of the consultation.

If any surgical procedures are required, patients will be informed of the acne treatment cost in advance.

The histopathologist/laboratory will charge separately for analysing the biopsy sample. In addition, the hospital charges for use of the operating theatre facilities.

Ready for acne to be a problem of the past?

The process of treating severe acne can be long and requires patience, but rest assured that you are receiving the highest quality of treatment from our professional dermatologists. Once your acne has gone you can enjoy a clearer complexion and renewed self-confidence.

Frequently asked questions about acne

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