acne
A blog about acne and associated conditions.
This week in health – 14 December 2018

The temperature has suddenly dropped around the UK, which could have implications for the nation’s health services. Hospitals bed occupancy in the ‘red zone’ With Christmas Day less than two weeks away, health experts have already warned that hospitals are …
Continue ReadingAcne Twitter Chat
During our Online Clinic on Skin Conditions we will be holding an acne twitter chat on 27 September from 1pm-2pm BST via @talkhealth on Twitter supported by Eucerin. Just follow #talkacne and include the hashtag in your tweets on the …
Continue ReadingRosacea Twitter Chat
During our Online Clinic on Skin Conditions we will be holding a rosacea twitter chat on 20 September from 1pm-2pm BST via @talkhealth on Twitter. Just follow #talkrosacea and include the hashtag in your tweets on the day so you …
Continue ReadingThe psychological impact of rosacea and its treatment: Increasing wellbeing and not being shy about asking for support
Social media accounts demonstrate that for some people living with rosacea can be related to significant levels of distress. That said, many people cope well with this long-term condition, yet understandably at times they may still experience anxiety, depression, and …
Continue ReadingProfessional tips that will save your face from acne

Everyone who has pimples on their face knows how overwhelming this state can be. Acne is not only a health issue, but it can also affect your confidence, because you are always worried about the way you look. There are …
Continue ReadingThe celebrities who are helping to fight the acne stigma

When we think of celebrities, we think of perfection. Flowing, shiny hair, slender figures, and blemish-free, radiant complexions. Or so we think. But in reality, famous people are just like us. While they may have the luxury of professional makeup …
Continue ReadingWe’re all beautiful, even with acne

Hey guys, I’m Alice. This is my first blog here on talkhealth. I’ve suffered with acne since I was around 14, and I want to help people going through the same thing. I thought I’d start with a bit of …
Continue ReadingManage your health with Patient support Programmes

For those living with chronic health conditions, self-management is crucial for managing and controlling symptoms day to day. Protecting your own health is a responsibility that can require some help and guidance to ensure you pursue the right treatment for …
Continue ReadingAdolescent skin: 3 in 5 teenagers say acne affects self-confidence

Growing up can be hard for any teenager without the added stress of acne. Sadly acne affects around 80% of adolescents aged 13-18 years at some point. Three out of five teenagers* surveyed by the British Skin Foundation said that …
Continue ReadingAn interview with Dr Andrew Thompson: Support for dermatology patients

Back in July, talkhealth published an article which highlighted the need for psychological support which dermatology patients are severely lacking. The article was inspired by the team of experts from the Severe Eczema and Psoriasis Team at St. John’s Institute …
Continue ReadingHow a skin condition like psoriasis can affect your body image and what to do about it
Your body image is how you perceive yourself when you look at your reflection in the mirror or when you think about the way you look. How accurately your body image matches the way others actually see you is dependent …
Continue ReadingEpaderm Twitter Chat

On 16 September 2015, talkhealth and Mölnlycke Health Care collaborated to run a Twitter Chat. Using talkhealth’s hashtag #talkskin, talkhealth, a number of specially-selected skin care experts, and members of the talkhealth community all took part in a lively discussion …
Continue ReadingIs beauty only skin deep?

Today marks the the start of Talkhealth’s week long clinic on skin problems. The skin is an amazing organ. The largest in the human body, providing a number of functions including protection from infection and water loss, insulation and …
Continue ReadingWinter skin and emollients

Many people have naturally dry skin, and this can be made worse by cold weather, central heating at home and air conditioning at work. Dry skin is often rough and scaly, feels uncomfortable and tends to be itchy. Coping with …
Continue ReadingLiving With Damp and Mould, What Are The Health Risks?

My partner and I moved into our current flat in May and, in almost every area, we’ve been incredibly pleased with the move. This is why it was a little disappointing to find that traces of damp began to develop …
Continue ReadingSeptember’s online clinic on skin conditions

We hope you managed to catch our talkhealth online clinic on skin conditions. It was a lively clinic with questions being answered by experts Dr Alison Layton, Dr Jonathan Bowling, Dr Christopher Bridgett, Dr Walayat Hussain and Dr Stephen Kownacki. …
Continue ReadingPerceptions of living with a Skin Problem

Alongside our online clinics we run monthly surveys. August’s survey was on skin conditions. We wanted to find out about how living with a skin condition can affect someone’s life. From our results, we found that living with a skin …
Continue ReadingWhen a Skin Condition Returns

It was touch-and-go for a while but now I’m certain: my rosacea has returned with vengeance. Once again my skin is flushed, flaky, spotty and my god so itchy! I’m ashamed of how much I’ve been scratching lately but half …
Continue ReadingWhen Did I Need Help?

When it comes to this question, the answer for all three of my conditions seems to be “months before I actually tried to get any”. It’s pretty much the case of everyone I meet, a total reversal of hypochondriacs and …
Continue Reading94th BAD Conference in Glasgow

On Wednesday this week talkhealth was invited, via our lovely client Intrapharm Laboratories, as their guest at the 94th BAD (British Association of Dermatologists) conference, held this year in Glasgow. The day started early with a 9am flight from Southampton …
Continue Readingtalkhealth visit the Natural & Organic Product Show

Last week talkhealth went to the very busy Natural & Organic Product Show up in Olympia. We were so pleased to see so many friendly faces including Pravera, silicolgel and Salcura to name but a …
Continue ReadingNutrition & Hydration Week 17-23 March

Water – did you know that it’s the best fuel for a healthy life – and in fact one of the most precious and important commodities in the world? Water makes up 2/3rds of our body and therefore it is …
Continue ReadingTop 10 priorities for acne treatment research

We were very privileged to be invited this week to observe the final stages of agreeing what the TOP TEN priority areas for acne treatment research to address are. Over the course of the past 16 months the James Lind …
Continue ReadingSunbathing With a Skin Condition
I suffer from rosacea, so the skin on my face can break out into an itchy and blotchy rash seemingly at a moment’s notice. It also makes my skin look flushed and red, particularly around my cheeks. Safe to say, …
Continue ReadingThe Damaging Desire to Compare Conditions
When it comes to longstanding medical conditions that aren’t common knowledge, it can be a real pain to make yourself understood. Sometimes it’s tempting to liken your condition to one that is more well-known but I’ve found that sometimes it …
Continue ReadingThe Evidence for Using Hypnosis with Skin Disorders
As of today, I am again part of the online clinic here at the TalkHealth Partnership. This particular online clinic is looking at skin disorders. Those familiar with this site will know that the clinics offer lots of support from …
Continue ReadingAn insiders view of acne research?
I conducted my first research on acne in 1974 as a final year undergraduate. At that time, I had mild facial acne, which would persist, although I didn’t know it then, until I became pregnant, aged 37, in 1990. I’m …
Continue ReadingDon’t Let Them Bring You Down
I must say that I have reached a stage in my life where I have managed to come to some kind of terms with the fact that I suffer from severe eczema. I’ve stopped giving a damn about how I …
Continue ReadingThe FreeFrom Skincare Awards 2013 shortlist is announced!

Almost 80 products from over 50 skincare manufacturers have made the shortlist of the second annual FreeFrom Skincare Awards, which has been announced today. Five brands lead the way with three shortlisted products each – Barefoot Botanicals, Botanicals, Green People, …
Continue ReadingLondon takes its place among healthcare innovation elite cities of the world

Jeremy Hunt launches London Centre of Innovation Excellence and new app library to help people live well. The UK’s worldwide reputation for innovation in healthcare will be sealed today as Jeremy Hunt launches London’s new centre of innovation excellence established …
Continue ReadingThe skin as a battleground

Sometimes in clinic we talk about how the skin can become a battleground. Perhaps as a territory that is the boundary between ourselves and our surroundings, it is easy to see how this can be. The scratching, picking, rubbing, biting, …
Continue ReadingChelsea Physic Garden

In deepest Chelsea, London UK, there is a gem often overlooked by international visitors. In the picture DrB stands between the Psychiatry and Dermatology beds in Chelsea Physic Garden. Containing almost 5000 plant species from all over the world, the …
Continue ReadingUnderarm sweat and its relation to armpit acne
The armpit is the area in the human body located beneath the joint that connects the arm and the shoulder. For most people, the armpit is the most ticklish part of their body. Another inherent characteristic of our armpit is …
Continue ReadingNeed Tips To Get Rid Of Acne? Try These!
Acne breakouts can make you feel depressed and worthless. Stop allowing acne to dictate how you live your life. If you follow the tips in this article, you will be on your way to clear and beautiful skin. By following …
Continue ReadingNew survey aims to reveal if acne is part of growing up or a cause of silent misery for millions
A new survey has been launched this week by the British Skin Foundation (BSF) which looks at the impact that acne has on sufferers in the UK. The national skin disease research charity is keen to uncover the scale of …
Continue ReadingLiving with Rosacea – How to spot it, live with it and move on…
I’d never even heard of Rosacea until my late 30’s when I began to notice a persistent redness around the ‘t-section’ of my face which was subsequently diagnosed as Rosacea. Rosacea can often be triggered by stress or anxiety, this …
Continue ReadingThe Ultimate Guide To Getting Rid Of Acne
Every acne patient has one question burning in their minds. How can I get rid of this? What can I do to get clear skin? Often dermatologists are powerless to help, and acne always comes back. The web is full …
Continue ReadingCan Antioxidants Cure Acne?
Chances are you’ve read about antioxidants in the popular media. Antioxidants protect the body against free radicals and other forms of inflammatory damage. Free radicals have been linked to many health problems ranging from heart disease to cancer. A recent …
Continue ReadingMake your own herb-infused base oils

I’ve just made two herb-infused base oils, Marigold and Lavender. Base oils are great for making your own creams, massage oils, salves, liniments, plaisters and even suppositories for your first aid kit. You can also make your own skincare products …
Continue ReadingCleansing oils for greasy / oily skin ?!
As strange as it may seem, cold-pressed, unrefined vegetable and nut oils make excellent cleansers for greasy skin. They not only impart nutrients to the skin, but dissolve grime and dirt from the surface. These oils work because when the …
Continue Reading3 Reasons You Should Consider Green Tea As Your Next Acne Treatment
A lot has been written about health benefits of green tea. It’s said to help you lose weight and fight heart disease. But did you know what green tea can also treat acne? In this post we’ll look at three …
Continue ReadingSeaweed cuts acne spots by two thirds

Acne, a distressing complaint largely affecting teens and young adults, has been shown to respond well when treated with seaweed. A new clinical trial of acne treatments containing seaweed extract has confirmed the healing power of seaweed. In the trial, …
Continue ReadingCentre for Appearance Research International Conference
The Centre for Appearance Research is pleased to announce Appearance Matters 5. This two day international conference will be highlighting the current research and good practice around psychology and appearance, including body image, visible difference, the role of the media, …
Continue ReadingRosacea and my eyes
Sorry its been a while since I have written on this blog- life has been very hectic and very stressful. With lots happening within my business and personal life my stress levels have been going through the roof and my …
Continue ReadingAcne – A Herbalist’s View

Acne usually starts at puberty and tends to affect males more than females. Usually it’s the face, neck chest and upper back that are affected. Although acne is often triggered by puberty it can persist once puberty is over. Layers …
Continue ReadingWhy Do I Have Sensitive Skin?
I have always had sensitive skin from a very early age and dread to think how much I have spent over the years. Buying the latest claimed product for sensitive skin to find that I react and it goes into …
Continue ReadingIs It A Good Idea To Pop Pimples?
Is popping pimples good for us?” this is a very good question in regard to doing our skin good or in fact harming our skin. The desire is very primal and animal like in quality. It is also virtually impossible …
Continue ReadingMore info about Rosacea
Rosacea affects one in 10 people in the UK – most don’t know they have it. I have been out and about recently promoting Pure and Gentle and have been amazed how many ladies I have met who have rosacea. …
Continue ReadingMajor Causes Of Acne
There are three leading factors that can result in acne: – Producing abnormal amounts of oil or sebum; – Unbalanced way of shedding dead skin cells; – Buildup of the bacteria. Acne starts to develop when hair follicles become blocked by …
Continue ReadingIs your life affected by acne, eczema or psoriasis?
IWC Media make intelligent and thoughtful documentaries including Terry Pratchett: Living with Alzheimer’s and The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive with Stephen Fry, as well as blue chip science programmes such as Brave New World and Stephen Hawking – …
Continue ReadingWeight linked with acne in teenage girls – what’s the connection?
A study has just come out of Oslo that appears to show that overweight teenage girls have an above average chance of getting acne. Although there is no suggestion that weight gain directly causes acne, the statistics do show that …
Continue ReadingDoes makeup really cover up spots and disguise eczema no matter how thick you apply it?
When I was a teenager I was one of those unfortunate people who suffered with both acne and eczema. My spots were fairly mild and the eczema was mainly round my mouth. My eczema always flared up with stress and …
Continue ReadingFriendly bacteria can help your acne
New research suggests that friendly bacteria may not just be beneficial for the digestive system but also for your skin. It is believed that good bacteria can help plump and smooth the skin whilst re-hydrating it therefore helping improve the appearance …
Continue ReadingHow do you cope with Rosacea at Work?
The National Rosacea Society (NRS) recently highlighted the possible negative effects of rosacea in the workplace and on careers. As well any physical symptoms such as facial burning, blurred vision and debilitating flushing, the secondary worries about what others will …
Continue ReadingMental health of acne sufferers needs more consideration
New research by the University of Newcastle has suggested that the psychological welfare of acne patients should be given more consideration. Until now only those with clinically severe acne have been given priority but this study shows that the patients …
Continue ReadingDealing with Blepharitis
Over the last few years I have suffered on and off with Blepharitis. Blepharitis is when the rims of the eyelids become inflamed. This can make your eyes red, irritated and itchy. Dandruff-like crusts can appear on your eyelashes. It …
Continue Reading23 and 1/2 hours: What is the single best thing we can do for our health?
A Doctor-Professor answers the old question “What is the single best thing we can do for our health” in a completely new way. Dr Mike Evans explains …. Dr Evans is founder of the Health Design Lab at the Li …
Continue ReadingSeaweed helps clear acne
Scientists have found that there is a particular type of seaweed that could help clear acne. The plant is harvested in ecological conditions off the coast of Brittany. It is very rich in minerals, specifically potassium, sodium, magnesium and iodine. …
Continue ReadingAdult acne on the rise
A new study by dermatologists has revealed that 1 in 5 women over the age of 25 are developing acne even if they didn’t suffer as a teenager. Many believe that it is due to the increasing stress that women …
Continue ReadingMake up routine to cover acne
A 19 year old from California has produced a spots and all video to illustrate how she uses make up to cover her severe acne. Cassandra shows before and after shots of her acne and then shows how to achieve the …
Continue ReadingDealing with Rosacea
Rosacea is a common rash, found on the central part of the face, a tendency to flush easily is followed by persistent redness on the cheeks, chin, forehead and nose, and by crops of small inflamed red bumps and pus spots. The …
Continue ReadingFirst blog
Hi I’m Lisa and this is my first blog for TalkHealth. I have very sensitive skin, particularly on my face. Certain facial creams cause aggravation resulting in areas of itchy, dry eczema which now has been diagnosed as Rosacea along …
Continue ReadingAcne medication linked to sore throats
A new study has revealed that young adults who take oral medication for acne are more prone to sore throats. Although the researchers don’t know for sure what causes this early suggestions have included the long term use of antibiotics …
Continue ReadingAcne – therapy focus
Acne is one of the most common skin complaints, suffered by more than 80 per cent of people at some stage, but particularly during pubescent years. Up to 14 per cent of those people consult their GP and 0.3 per …
Continue ReadingStress & Skin……..
Ladies & Gents…. What a week, you normally see me blogging about my children’s skin be it eczema or acne. You read about my antics on the beach with my girls or my constant endeavours to combat the compliance issue …
Continue ReadingGet gorgeous autumn skin
At this time of lower humidity, with less water carried in the air, cold and often windy days add new challenges to your skin. All heating creates a dry air environment – with central heating at home being the main …
Continue ReadingThe ‘ACNE LUMP’
Hello Everyone, My apologies for being absent for a few days. My oldest daughter, who, in my last blog, had requested that I take her to see our GP with reference to her ACNE, has (we think but are not …
Continue ReadingSand, Sea & Dermatology
It’s amazing just what a difference a good night’s sleep can make…….Thankfully Issi-May is calming down from her latest eczema flare and sleeping much better so we decided that we would all head down to the coast for the weekend …
Continue ReadingTips for Rosacea skin types
Rosacea is sometimes referred to as ‘adult acne’. Your face becomes flushed and red due to dilation of the small blood vessels close to the skin surface. It is often accompanied with severe dryness and irritation around the chin, cheeks, …
Continue ReadingA vaccine for acne in development
Sanofi-Pasteur, the world’s biggest vaccine company, has signed a contract with the University of California, San Diego, to develop “an immunological approach to acne prevention and treatment”. “More than 85 per cent of teenagers and over 40 million people in the …
Continue ReadingStandards aim to improve care for millions with skin diseases
Commissioners and providers should involve patients and the public in decisions about the services provided for the millions of people with a skin disease, standards published this week emphasise. Some 24% of the population visit their GP about a skin …
Continue ReadingNHS Choices Online Clinics
talkhealth are proud to be collaborative partners with NHS Choices. Each month talkhealth hosts exclusively ‘Online Clinics on …’ partnering with NHS Choices and a national charity associated with the clinic’s topic. The clinics are run across all talkhealth websites …
Continue Reading16 to 30s worst at skin cancer prevention, new research reveals
16 to 30-year-olds are the worst at protecting their skin in the sun, despite melanoma being the second most common cancer in this age group, according to a new study out this week. The research, due to be released at …
Continue ReadingFastest natural ways to cure acne: proven methods that work fast
There are a lot of ways to help yourself get rid of acne overnight. The best place to start would be with natural products. A great way of how to get rid of acne fast is to apply an egg …
Continue ReadingOnline Clinic on Skin Cancer & Sun Safety
SKCIN (The Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity) has teamed up with NHS Choices and talkhealth to present an Online Clinic on Skin Cancer & Sun Safety. SKCIN is the only national skin cancer charity. Clinical experts will be available to …
Continue ReadingHow to apply sunscreen
An expert explains, in an NHS Choices video, why it is important to protect your skin from sunburn to help avoid skin cancer. She also gives advice on how to apply sunscreen correctly and what to look out for when …
Continue ReadingAn online clinic on Hay Fever
Last month a lively and informative forum for people suffering from Hay Fever was held in conjunction with patient support charity Action Against Allergy, the Allergy Academy, NHS Choices and other leading experts. Although the forum is now closed it …
Continue ReadingAcne care: shaving
Shaving facial hair sometimes creates a dilemma when one has active acne. The need to hide the skin condition is counterbalanced by the need to eliminate the condition. This involves keeping the skin clean which is more difficult to do …
Continue ReadingFree samples & offers
FREE samples and offers that are available across our talk sites. Be up to date on our offers by joining FREE today one of our sites – it is very easy and quick, just click here … Welcome Packs – …
Continue ReadingPhotodynamic therapy
The Photodynamic Therapy acne treatment is recommended by Dr. Abrams for those who suffer from moderate acne, teenagers and adults with resistant and hard to treat acne or people who suffer from cystic acne with regular breakouts; it is a …
Continue ReadingFluoride & acne
Fluoride is in our toothpaste. It`s in our water. It`s even in our food. While fluoride is praised for saving our teeth, many alternative health experts question the validity of fluoride`s benefits. And now many realize that fluoride may also …
Continue ReadingAcne directory
Our acne directory offers you a comprehensive list of companies who manufacture and distribute treatments and products suitable for people living with acne and oily skin. You can browse through the directory using the a-z categories. To access the directory …
Continue ReadingPoster downloads for patients, sponsors and the media
talkhealth invites you to download copies of its pdf posters. The posters are a mixture of future events to be run on the sites and the talkhealth conditions such as eczema, acne, allergy, psoriasis, menopause and asthma. From this page …
Continue ReadingChocolate may exacerbate acne
At the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, a group of researchers found that the consumption of pure chocolate made of 100% cocoa can exacerbate facial acne vulgaris within days in people who are acne prone. The study was …
Continue ReadingAn open clinic on Hay Fever
From 20-26 May 2011 patient support charity Action Against Allergy has teamed up with NHS Choices and talkhealth to present an Open Clinic on Hay Fever. You will have the opportunity to post your questions to our panel of clinical …
Continue ReadingNew look talkallergy, talkacne and talkeczema websites
We have now completed the new look www.talkallergy.com, www.talkacne.com and www.talkeczema.com community websites. Take a look – there’s new functionality, and you can now view all the forums across the sites. +1288
Continue ReadingFREE Health Fact Sheets
We’ve now launched a range of FREE downloadable Fact Sheets on our sites. Visit each of our sites for the relevant Fact Sheets: www.talkeczema.comwww.talkallergy.comwww.talkasthma.comwww.talkmenopause.comwww.talkpsoriasis.comwww.talkacne.com We will be adding more Fact Sheets over the coming months. +1435
Continue ReadingSocial Effects of Skin Disorders Survey
We are conductng a survey to look at the social effects of skin disorders (eczema, acne, psoriasis etc) on children and their parents. Please take 5 minutes to complete our survey. There’s also a chance to win £25 M and …
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