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Pharmacy Care provides information about self-care, that is how to treat minor medical conditions with products available at the pharmacy. Find out how your pharmacist can help you to manage minor conditions yourself.
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Acne is a skin problem that usually starts during teenage years. Hormone changes cause glands in your hair follicles to produce too much sebum (oil). Your skin pores become blocked with sebum, trapping dead skin cells and bacteria. This leads to whiteheads (pimples), blackheads, pustules or cysts developing.
Acne is very common, affecting 80 to 90% of teenagers. It is usually worse during the teenage years and in the early 20s, but can continue into the 40s, especially in women. Acne seems to run in families and is most common on the face, neck and shoulders. It can also appear on other parts of your body.
Acne myths
acne is not infectious and cannot be ‘scrubbed away’ by keeping your skin excessively clean
acne is not caused by eating fatty foods or chocolate; however, a balanced, healthy diet is important for overall good health
stress does not cause acne, though this can make it worse
Acne triggers
times of stress
hot and humid weather
some women find their acne is worse around the time of their period
severe acne in women or girls can be from abnormally high levels of certain hormones, which can be treated by your doctor
certain medications can make acne worse; they include some types of steroids, anti-epilepsy pills and oral contraceptive pills
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
if you have moderate to severe acne
if you have tried acne products for several months without success
if you are female and also have an excessive amount of facial hair, irregular periods or weight gain; these may be signs of a hormone imbalance
if you are feeling depressed or have low self-esteem because of your acne
if your acne occurs when you use or are exposed to certain topical products
if you are pregnant or breastfeeding; not all treatments are suitable
Treatment Tips
try not to pick or squeeze pimples; it can make the inflammation worse and cause scarring
removing blackheads is not recommended
clean your skin gently twice a day and after exercise; avoid excessive scrubbing
use a cleansing lotion or skin wash (as a soap substitute) to wash your face; regular soap may be too drying
avoid using oily or greasy products on your skin or hair
there are many treatments to help with acne and you may need to try more than one
most treatments should be applied to the whole area of affected skin, not just to individual spots or pimples
some products should be tested on a small area of skin when using for the first time; see individual products for details
although small amounts of sunlight may help dry out pimples, avoid getting sunburnt by wearing a non-comodegenic (non-oily) SPF 30+ sunscreen
if your acne is particularly severe, your doctor may refer you to a skin specialist, such as a dermatologist, who can prescribe stronger treatments
Treatment Options
remember that topical treatments will not work instantly and will need to be used for a few weeks before benefits are seen
topical treatments will not cure acne but will help to prevent further worsening and recurrence of the problem
Keratolytics
e.g. resorcinol, sulphur, salicylic acid
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g. Clean & Clear range, Clearasil range
keratolytic agents encourage the loss of dead cells from the surface of your skin, which can help unclog blocked pores
this type of product is useful for the treatment of mild acne
use once or twice a day; follow product directions
keratolytic agents can cause skin irritation, with redness and peeling
the skin may feel dry after use; if this happens, apply a light, non-oily moisturiser
avoid using other drying products, such as alcohol-containing products or abrasive cleansers
face masks which peel off surface skin cells may also be helpful for unblocking pores
Benzoyl peroxide
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g. Benzac AC Wash, Benzac AC Gel, Brevoxyl, Clean & Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser, Clearasil Ultra Acne Treatment Cream, Oxy Cream, Oxy Vanishing Cream (5%), PanOxyl Acne Gel (5%)
[PHARMACY ONLY]
e.g. Benzac AC Gel, PanOxyl Acne Gel (10%), Oxy Vanishing Cream (10%)
benzoyl peroxide works by killing bacteria associated with acne
it also makes the top layer of skin peel off, unblocking pores
regular use can improve mild to moderate acne
the most common side effect is skin dryness; if this happens, apply a light, non-oily moisturiser
avoid using other drying products, such as alcohol-containing products or abrasive cleansers
some reddening, soreness and worsening of acne may occur initially with these treatments; stop using them if your skin becomes extremely red, inflamed or sore
start with a low-strength product and gradually increase the strength and/or number of applications, if necessary
avoid exposure to direct sunlight during treatment
some improvement may be seen in as little as five days but it may take several weeks or months to have maximum effect
benzoyl peroxide can bleach clothing, bedding and rarely, hair and eyebrows
Azelaic acid
[PHARMACY ONLY]
e.g. Acnederm Medicated Lotion, Finacea
azaleic acid works by killing bacteria associated with acne
it also helps to remove dead skin cells, which can clog pores
apply twice daily
if irritation occurs, reduce frequency of application until your skin settles
azaleic acid also has a bleaching effect
it can take up to four weeks for effects to be noticeable and the maximum effect may not be seen for several months
these products work by killing bacteria on your skin
[PRESCRIPTION ONLY]
antibiotics: these treat acne by killing bacteria on the skin
retinoids: these reduce sebum production and are usually used to treat severe acne; they are not suitable for use in pregnancy or for women planning to become pregnant
hormonal products: these are used for women to treat acne which is caused by a hormonal imbalance
More Information
Availability of medicines
GENERAL SALE available through pharmacies and possibly other retail outlets.
PHARMACY ONLY available for sale through pharmacies only.
PHARMACIST ONLY may only be sold by a pharmacist.
PRESCRIPTION ONLY available only with a prescription from your doctor or other health professional.
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