Acne Treatment

Acne, a common skin condition, occurs when skin pores get blocked due to a build of excessive oil or dead skin cells. It affects approximately 80% of young people aged between 12 and 25, primarily triggered by hormonal changes.

We at The Online Surgery believe your skin is an important component of your outwardly appearance, but is also an indicator of your overall health. Don’t let your acne get you down, have your symptoms reviewed by our expert doctors by sending a picture of the affected skin area, and get advice on how to manage and treat your condition.

We offer a range of treatment options, from topical antibiotics such as Dalacin; Retinoids such as Differin and Isotrex; Benzoyl Peroxide such as Epiduo Gel; or antibiotic tables such as Lymecycline. These may be prescribed individually or in combination, depending on the severity of your condition. These products can all be delivered to your home.

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Acne > Antibiotics

Lymecycline Capsules

Lymecycline capsule belongs to a group of medicines called tetracycline antibiotics. It is used to treat acne, pimples and spots that occur because of bacterial infection. This capsule is also used for treating other infections like acute sinusitis, bronchitis... read more

£45.00

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Oxytetracycline Tablets

Oxytetracycline is an antibiotic with antibacterial action. It may be used to treat a wide range of infections caused by bacteria like lung infections, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, skin infections, eye infections and others. The act... read more

Oxytetracycline 250 mg coated tablets - It is used to treat wide range of infections caused by bacteria.

£17.50

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Tetralysal Capsules

Tetralysal is an antibiotic which is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. It belongs to a class of medicines called tetracycline antibiotics which fight bacteria. Tetralysal treats acne, ear, nose, throat infections, bronchitis, gastrointestinal infect... read more

£49.36

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Acne > Facial Hair Removal

Vaniqa Cream

Vaniqa cream is used to treat unwanted facial hair growth in women, also knows as hirsuitism. It contains the active ingredient eflornithine, which slows down the rate of unwanted facial hair growth, which may be associated with hormonal conditions or brought ... read more

£106.99

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Acne > Retinoid Gel

Isotrexin Gel

Isotrexin or Isotrexin Gel is a combination of two medicines called erythromycin and isotretinoin. Of these active ingredients erythromycin is an antibiotic and isotretinoin is vitamin A. The combination is used for the treatment of acne. Isotrexin is recom... read more

£25.50

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Treclin Gel (Tretinoin)

Treclin gel contains two active ingredients, clindamycin an antibiotic and tretinoin a retinoid. The combined effect of these ingredients is much more than when used separately. Treclin gel is used for the treatment of acne in patients who are 12 years and abo... read more

£35.10

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Acne > Topical acne

Azathio

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£32.00

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Dalacin T (Clindamycin) 1 ..

Dalacin T (Clindamycin) 1% is a medicine used to treat skin acne. It comes in the form of a solution and lotion. Both these categories of the medicine are meant for external application and are used for the treatment of skin acne.Dalacin T contains an antibiot... read more

Dalacin T (Clindamycin) 1% Topical Lotion

£30.00

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Dalacin T (clindamycin) 1 ..

Dalacin T (Clindamycin) 1% is a medicine used to treat skin acne. It comes in the form of a solution and lotion. Both these categories of the medicine are meant for external application and are used for the treatment of skin acne.Dalacin T contains an antibiot... read more

£43.78

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Differin Cream (Adapalen ..

Differin cream is used for treating mild to moderate acne. It helps cure pimples, blackheads and spots, to be used on the face, back and chest.Differin contains Adapalene, its chief active ingredient, which possesses anti-inflammatory properties and helps redu... read more

£63.00

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Differin Gel (Adapalene) ..

Differin is a white, shiny gel used for the treatment of mild to moderate acne. It helps cure pimples, blackheads and spots. Best suited for dry and fair skin, it is to be used on the face, back and chest.Differin gel contains adapalene as a chief active ingre... read more

Differin Gel (Adapalene)0.1%

£35.00

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Duac Once Daily Gel (Benz ..

Duac once daily gel contains Clindamycin and Benzoyl peroxide. It belongs to a class of medicines called �anti-acne preparations’. The medicine is used to treat mild to moderate acne on your skin. Clindamycin is an antibiotic which stops the bacteria invol... read more

£50.00

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Epiduo Gel

Epiduo gel is a medicine used for the treatment of acne. It contains two active ingredients – adapalene and benzoyl peroxide. The two ingredients work in different ways to treat acne. Adapalene belongs to a group of products called retinoids. It acts specifi... read more

£89.00

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Zineryt Topical Lotion

Zineryt is an antibiotic which is used to treat acne. It belongs to a class of antibiotics which treat acne vulgaris, simply called pimples or spots. These medicines are used to reduce the growth of bacteria. Erythromycin and zinc acetate are the two main ingr... read more

£50.03

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What is Acne?

Acne is a common skin condition; mostly affecting young people aged between 12 and 25. It comes about when the hair follicles on your skin get blocked due to a build up of oily secretions and dead skin cells. It results in the growth of whiteheads, blackheads and pimples more commonly, and pustules and cysts in more severe forms.

Acne primarily affects the face, and may also affect the back, neck and chest. It ranges from mild to severe and is usually treatable, however it is a slow healing process, and can take time, depending on its severity. If severe cases are left untreated, it may last for many years and result in permanent scarring.

Acne affects almost all teenagers when they hit puberty, appearing more commonly in boys, and is also experienced by a small proportion of adults. There are various risk factors associated with acne, such as hormonal changes, inappropriate clothing, certain types of medication and even stress, that trigger the condition, resulting in physical and emotional distress.

Once diagnosed, there are various treatment options available to reduce its appearance and get rid off it entirely. A period of maintenance is usually required to avoid recurrence, once the course of the prescribed treatment is completed.

Acne could appear in numerous forms, depending on the severity of the condition. It results in oily skin and spots, which can sometimes be painful to touch.

Blackheads
These are small black spots that develop on the surface, when skin pores are blocked due to excessive oil and dead skin cells. They appear black as the oil gets oxidised when it is exposed to air.

Whiteheads
When skin on top of the pores becomes thick, shedding dead skin cells and blocking the pores, tiny white spots are visible on the surface. They are usually firmer than blackheads.

Papules
These are small, red, tender bumps on your skin.

Pustules
Pustules are small bumps filled with pus.

Nodules
These are large solid bumps that build up beneath the skin’s surface. They can be quite painful.

Cysts
Cysts appear in severe cases of acne. They are large lumps filled with pus, and often look like boils. They are most likely to cause scarring over time.

There are numerous small glands under the skin surface that produce sebum (oil), keeping the skin smooth and lubricated. Pores on the skin allow the sebum to come to the skin’s surface. When these glands are stimulated, more sebum is produced, causing blockages. Some people make more sebum than others, making them more vulnerable to developing acne. Along with sebum, dead skin cells in excess also plug skin pores, causing acne.

There are numerous small glands under the skin surface that produce sebum (oil), keeping the skin smooth and lubricated. Pores on the skin allow the sebum to come to the skin’s surface. When these glands are stimulated, more sebum is produced, causing blockages. Some people make more sebum than others, making them more vulnerable to developing acne. Along with sebum, dead skin cells in excess also plug skin pores, causing acne.

Teenage acne is usually triggered due to an increased level of testosterone, which stimulates the glands producing sebum. Such hormonal changes usually come about with puberty. Rarely, certain conditions in women such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, may cause acne or worsen the condition

Some factors contribute in worsening acne, and should ideally be avoided when suffering from the condition or if you are particularly vulnerable. These risk factors include;
- Hormonal changes around periods
- Thick make up
- Picking and squeezing existing spots
- Heavy sweating
- Medicines such as steroid creams and ointments applied for eczema.
- Progestogen-only Contraceptive pills
- Pressure – from clothes, helmets, collars etc.
- Stress
- A genetic predisposition to acne increases your chances of developing it

Acne can be diagnosed by your doctor upon examination of your face and other affected areas. There are no particular tests for acne, however your GP will closely examine the spread of acne and its particular symptoms.

Doctors may ask about your family history, as having family members with the same condition increases your risk for developing it. Along with this, your doctor will examine the nature and number of spots on the skin, how painful and inflamed they are, thence determining the severity of the condition.

Acne can be diagnosed as mild, confined to whiteheads and blackheads, that self-resolve over time. It could be moderate, with pimples and nodules, which may require some form of treatment, or it could be severe, involving large painful nodules and cysts, affecting more than your face, requiring long-term treatment and maintenance.

In most cases acne can be treated entirely, while in more severe cases it may take many years and result in some permanent scarring. Treatment for acne works by reducing oil production, speeding up skin cell turnover to avoid a build up of dead skin cells, fighting bacterial infection and reducing inflammation.

We at The Online Surgery offer a range of treatment options, which work in different and complimentary ways, and is prescribed based on the type and severity of your condition. These include topical emollients and antibiotic tablets. With all treatment options, results are not seen immediately, it is a slow process and must be completed for ideal results.

Topical Antibiotics
There are numerous topical antibiotics available, such as Dalacin. They reduce the prevalence of bacteria and inflammation, but have little effect in unblocking pores. While it might cause mild irritation, they present with few side effects and are usually prescribed in combination with other treatment options to avoid resistance.

Retinoids
These are Vitamin A derivatives, which are good at exfoliating the skin and unblocking pores. They are often used early on in the treatment to treat blackheads, whiteheads and mildly inflamed spots. It is available in creams, gels and lotions, we can prescribe Retinoids such as Differin and Isotrex, which could be used in combination with an antibiotic.

Benzoyl peroxide
This topical treatment kills germs, reduces inflammation and helps to unblock pores. It is available as a cream or gel, such as Epiduo Gel, and comes in different strengths. It is best combined with topical antibiotics.

Antibiotic Tablets
Antibiotic tablets might be prescribed for severe forms of acne, such as Lymecycline. It shouldn’t be used for long periods of time, and is used in combination with topical medications.

After spots have gone or reduced, it is common to carry on treatment as part of maintenance, to avoid flare-ups.

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Dr. Helen Webberley

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