Acne is an extremely common skin condition affecting more than 80% of teenagers and many adults and children at some time in their life. It can have a huge impact on the lives of young people. Unfortunately many people see acne as a condition that is just part of life and something that we have to “live with”. At Bulimba Dermatology we believe this is not the case. Acne can be treated. In many cases, having the right treatment at an early stage can mean clearer skin sooner and with much less chance of acne scarring.
It is often difficult for patients to talk about their acne. Our dermatologists understand this and our caring approach to you and your skin problem is important. We are here to help you.
Acne is often a combination of oily skin, blackheads and whiteheads (comedones), pustules, and lumps. It commonly affects the face and neck, chest, back and shoulders. It can vary in severity from a few small spots to stubborn, tender lumps and cysts that can result in scarring.
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At Bulimba Dermatology our dermatologists specialise in preventing and treating all forms of acne. There is often no single best treatment for acne. Often a combined approach to treating acne is best. Treatments for acne can include:
- topical (applied to the skin) non-prescription treatments such as cleansers, creams and lotions
- chemical peels and blackhead removal – at Bulimba Dermatology these procedures are performed by our qualified dermatology nurses
- topical prescription treatments including antibiotics and retinoids
- oral antibiotics to reduce inflammation caused by acne and to reduce bacteria
- hormonal treatments including birth control pills and hormone blocking medicines
- oral Isotretinoin – a powerful and effective treatment for severe or resistant acne available only from your dermatologist
There are often multiple factors playing a role in acne and different types of acne need to be treated differently.
Why do people get acne?
There are many misconceptions regarding the causes. Acne is mainly caused by genetic factors, which determine our likelihood of getting acne. Often people who suffer from acne have a history of acne in the family, but this is not always the case. Sensitivity to the body’s normal hormones is also a common cause of acne. While diet, makeups and cosmetics, environmental factors, stress and other factors can all make acne worse, they generally are not the cause. In some cases, certain medications, abnormal hormones and other factors can cause acne. It is important to talk with your dermatologist at Bulimba Dermatology to identify what is causing your acne. In some cases, correcting the underlying cause may be easy and can result in dramatic improvement to your skin.
Getting an individualised treatment that is right for YOUR skin is one of the benefits of being treated by a dermatologist at Bulimba Dermatology. Our specialist doctors will find the treatment that is right for you, help you to understand your acne, and monitor you closely during treatment to minimise side effects from acne treatments and to get the best results for your skin.
Seek treatment early to reduce the chance of scarring from acne.
If you have acne scarring, we can also help. Discuss options for acne scar treatment with one of the dermatologists or specialist nurses at Bulimba Dermatology.
Learn more about acne scarring
Learn more about acne scar treatments
Make an appointment request with one of our dermatologists to discuss which treatments are best for you.