Acne scars

[Dr Helen Webberley]

Hi, the most important thing to stop the scars is to stop the cane altogether. There are creams, lotions, hormone pills and tablet antibiotics. If these haven't worked after giving them a proper go (two months determined treatment), then you should ask to see a dermatologist. Nobody should have to suffer with acne or scars when there are some really good treatments available. Dr Webberley

[Dr Anjali Mahto]

Many thanks for your question.

There are a large number of treatment options available for acne and acne scarring. It is important thing to treat the acne first and switch off the process of inflammation (particularly in severe cases), then address what scarring you have left afterwards.

If you suffer with mild acne, mainly in the form of comedones (blackheads or whiteheads) then you are likely to benefit from retinoid creams and gels. These are medications derived from vitamin A that effectively will unclog your pores. If you get inflammatory spots (small red bumps or pus fill spots) then an antibiotic based cream or antibiotic tablets are likely to be necessary (e.g. lymecycline, trimethoprim, erythromycin). If your acne fails to clear after a three to six month course of antibiotics, or you are getting large, deep painful spots (cysts) or are getting scars or marks on the skin, you need to see a dermatologist. Dermatologists are likely to recommend oral medication such as isotretinoin in these scenarios. There are adjunctive treatments that may be of benefit for your acne such as laser and chemical peels. These are, however, unlikely to be available through the NHS.

From the point of view of treating scarring, again there are large number of ways this can be approached. The best treatment for you will depend on the type of scarring you have and your individual skin type. Chemical peels, trichloroacetic acid application (TCA cross), microneedling, and laser treatments can all help minimise scarring.

I hope this answers your questions.

Best wishes,

Dr Anjali Mahto

[Dr Anton Alexandroff]

Thank you for your question. I agree with my colleagues advice. Antibiotic (topical and oral), oral contraceptive pill and topical retinoids (epiduo gel, and a newer preparation - treclin gel) can be prescribed by your GP (I find a combination therapy more effective) whereas isotretinoin (roacutane) is prescribed by dermatologists. The latter is very powerful and requires strict medical monitoring.

Just to mention that excessive dairy produce intake may keep acne going so I hope you do not consume too much of it.

There are also various treatments available to help with acne scarring but they tend to be available privately I am afraid.

I hope this is helpful. If you would like to read more about this condition you might like go to: www.alexandroff.org.uk

With best wishes,

Dr Anton Alexandroff MCP(UK) CCT(Dermatology) FAAD FRSM
Consultant Dermatologist in Leicester Spire and Nuffield Health Hospitals and University Hospitals of Leicester
Member of the British Association of Dermatologists
www.alexandroff.org.uk

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