Specialist Acne Clinic at Sheehan 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 overstimulation 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 are 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 well-being, which will benefit overall physical appearance. Acne is a very common skin condition, usually beginning in adolescence, but in a small proportion of individuals, it persists into their 20s, 30s and even 40s. Some individuals develop adult acne without having suffered from it previously.
What is the recommended treatment for Acne?
Acne treatment is dependent on its severity and is tailored to each individual.
We offer a full range of acne treatments:
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Skincare
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Topical antibiotics/retinoids
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Oral antibiotics
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Hormonal treatments
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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 3-4 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 in-person appointment. Bloods are done at baseline and thereafter as directed by your clinician. Female patients must produce a negative pregnancy test monthly before a renewal script is issued. In selected patients, its use is transformative, with patients citing long-lasting results.
Will Acne treatment work?
Most patients show improvement within 6-8 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
First consultation €160.00
Follow-up consultation €140.00
More about the Doctor
Dr Anita Kane is a GP with a keen interest in dermatology. She holds a Diploma in Dermatology from the University of Glasgow. She has also completed a certificate in Advanced Acne Management, including Roaccutane prescribing, from the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland.
