Acne

 

Acne symptoms

For most people, acne starts and ends in their teens or early twenties although some 'adult acne' sufferers are first affected in their late twenties or thirties. Symptoms are usually fairly mild with just a few spots now and then on the face, neck or shoulders. When it’s a more serious or long-lasting problem, acne can impact on day-to-day activities and shatter self-confidence.

Symptoms are typically a mixture of the following: 

  • Spots on the face, neck, chest and back
  • Oily skin
  • Blackheads and whiteheads
  • Red inflamed spots
  • Yellow pus-filled spots
  • Scarring from old spots
  • Sometimes larger tender cysts develop

What causes acne?

Hormonal changes are thought to trigger acne due to a combination of the way the skin reacts to these and the effect of the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria. 

Testosterone is thought to be the main culprit as it triggers sebaceous (oil-producing) glands in the skin to produce more natural oils. A knock-on effect of this is that dead skin cells aren’t shed properly and clog up the follicles. This is when whiteheads and blackheads (where oil in the pores has darkened) start to form.

On top of that, Propionibacterium acnes also plays a part. These bacteria are on everyone’s skin and don’t usually cause any problems but, unfortunately, the build-up of oil described above provides the ideal environment for them to multiply. This triggers inflammation and the formation of red or pus-filled spots.

Testosterone levels change most dramatically around puberty and also during menstruation and pregnancy which explains why many people that get acne suffer at these times. Others may just be particularly sensitive to the hormone, even at normal levels.

Acne can run in families but if your parents had acne it doesn’t automatically mean that you’ll get it as well.

 

Acne treatments

At present there is no ‘cure’ for acne, although treatments can be very effective in preventing the formation of new spots and scarring. Expect to have to try things out for at least two months before you see much improvement.

Over the counter treatments

Over the counter gels and creams are usually the first choice for people with mild to moderate acne. They contain chemicals that attack the bacteria (e.g. benzoyl peroxide) and so they can sometimes cause skin irritation such as dryness or itching. If you have acne but have had no success with over-the–counter products then it is probably time for you to visit your doctor.

Prescription treatments

Drugs can be very effective and usually need to be taken for a few months or until there is no further improvement.

Oral antibiotics are useful in the short-term but after prolonged use the bacteria may become resistant and then the acne returns. They can also affect the numbers of healthy bacteria in the gut, leading to higher levels of toxins in the bloodstream which can make the acne even worse.

Isotretanoin, probably better known by the brand name Roaccutane, is a strong drug that should be prescribed carefully. It works by shutting down oil production in the sebaceous glands so it can therefore have other unpleasant effects, including red, dry skin, cracked lips, eye irritation, brittle nails and hair loss. It has been also been linked with depression and even suicide in younger users. Women taking it must use contraception as it can harm the developing child.

It should be emphasised that many people decide the benefits outweigh the side-effects, cope well with the drugs and are pleased with the results.

 

Lumie Clear: light therapy for acne

Many acne patients find that their skin improves after exposure to sunlight and research has focused on specific wavelengths of light. Violet and blue light (wavelength 380-475nm) can eradicate the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria causing the inflammation; red light (wavelength 620-750nm) can be useful in further promoting the healing process. Lumie Clear LEDs emit blue light at ~415nm and red light at ~660nm.

More about light therapy and acne research >>

Dr Tony Chu, based at the Hammersmith hospital in London, England has been heavily involved in researching a more natural alternative to treating acne. Light therapy trials involving 100 sufferers using both blue and red light sources have been really exciting with over 70% of patients showing a significant improvement in their condition.

Lumie worked closely with Dr Chu’s team to develop Lumie Clear. Treatment with Lumie Clear can take as little 15 minutes a day when the device is held next to the skin. Longer treatments, such as an hour or so, are necessary if you opt to use Lumie Clear at a distance while you get on with something else.

Click here to buy Lumie Clear >>

 

 



Contact Us telephone 01954 780500