Acne is an inflammatory skin disease, which affects the pores that cover the face, arms, back and chest and the oil glands attached to them. It is a common condition and will affect most teenagers and young adults to a greater or lesser extent. Acne is most common in adolescence with a peak in the late teens. However, acne may appear in the mid-twenties or even later and persists in a significant number of people into the forties or even later. Our clinics have reported acne being a significant problem for people between the ages of 8 and 80!

Acne can leave scars, which are permanent. Given that acne often resolves without intervention, the primary objectives for any treatment interventions are to:
•  Prevent acne lesions causing permanent scarring
•  Reduce the number and severity of acne lesions
•  Improve the self-confidence of the acne sufferer

Acne is a condition that responds to treatment in the majority of cases: it is a question of finding the most appropriate course of treatment for each individual.

Acne Scarring

Acne can and does scar the skin and this can be very severe. Prevention of the scarring is the primary objective of treatment of severe acne and this is achievable as long as the treatment is started at an early stage. Once scars have formed, they are permanent and can only be improved upon rather than removed.