Acne Clinic at Churchtown Medical

Effective Acne Treatment

Acne isn’t just spots: it can be devastating for both teen and adult sufferers. If you’re tired of struggling with your skin, we are here to help.

What is Acne?

Acne occurs due to the over-stimulation of oil-producing glands by hormones. This leads to oiliness or seborrhoea of the skin, white and black heads, pimples, pustules, nodules and cysts.  Picking and squeezing of lesions in addition to the more severe forms of acne can lead to scarring and skin pigmentation. Acne most often occurs on the face but back acne, shoulder acne and chest acne is all very common. 

What causes Acne?

Acne is mainly caused by sex hormones and aggravated by occlusive cosmetic creams, camouflage and picking. While research is ongoing, at present there is no conclusive evidence linking a poor diet to acne. However, a healthy diet with good hydration is key to general wellbeing, which will benefit overall physical appearance. Acne is a very common skin condition, usually beginning in adolescence, but in a small proportion of individuals persisting into their 20s, 30s and even 40s. Some individuals develop adult acne without having suffered with it previously.

What is the recommended treatment for Acne?

Treatment for acne is dependent on its severity and is tailored to each individual. 

We offer a full range of acne treatments:

• Skincare
• Topical antibiotics/retinoids
• Oral antibiotics
• Hormonal treatments
• Isotretinoin (Roaccutane)

Oral treatments such as systemic antibiotics or tretinoin (Roaccutane) are reserved for moderate and severe acne. Most systemic antibiotics are prescribed for a period of 6 months. Roaccutane is an oral vitamin A derivative, reserved for severe acne, acne not responding to conventional treatments, unresponsive acne or acne with scarring.

Patients are carefully assessed before embarking on this treatment and carefully monitored during the course of treatment with a monthly physical or virtual appointment. Bloods are done monthly or bi-monthly and female patients must produce a negative pregnancy test on a monthly basis before a renewal script is issued. In selected patients, it's use is transformative, patients citing long lasting results.

Will Acne treatment work?

Most patients show improvement within weeks, already feeling more comfortable in their skin.  After a few months, our patients report that they’ve regained lost confidence, and renewed their zest for life.

Pricing

Please contact your GP Practice for pricing*.

* Please note that medical dermatology procedures are covered by many private healthcare insurance plans either in part or in full. Please contact your Health Insurance Provider for more information. PAYE patients can also claim tax relief for medical health expenses by completing an income tax return.

What other Dermatology Treatments do you offer?

We also provide a range of General Dermatology Treatments (Eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections, skin rashes etc), Mole Screening, Minor Surgery and Aesthetics.  Further information is available in our Services section under 'Dermatology'.