Acne

Acne intro

With over half a million procedures undertaken you're in safe hands

At the Harley Street Skin Clinic, we understand skin. That's exactly what enables us to identify a skin-related problem and take the appropriate course of action. Acne - although a particularly difficult complaint to treat - is no different, and there is always something that can be done. It is merely biology. A science - no more, no less.

We understand that beating acne can feel like a Herculean task, but we're here to show you that it is doable, if you only know where to begin.

First things first...

What is Acne?

Acne, or Acne Vulgaris, is one of the most common skin conditions worldwide today.

Acne is a condition characterised by lots of pimples, bumps, lesions, redness and inflammation as well as sometimes infection and cysts. It can be extremely painful and even result in significant scarring in later years. Acne doesn’t discriminate, and sufferers range from teenagers right the way through to full-grown adults, both men and women alike.

It often occurs during puberty, as this is when the sebaceous glands are activated. These glands are what produce oil to lubricate the skin, and this oily secretion is known as sebum. Excess sebum buildup as well as debris and bacteria can cause these glands to become blocked or infected which is when visible blemishes appear on the skin.

How Can I treat Acne?

With a wealth of treatments, designed just for you...

Gland blockages can be triggered or worsened by factors such as makeup, hormone changes, menstruation, stress and even certain medications (typically those which are lithium or androgen based). Sometimes, all it takes is a little bit of know-how to fight acne back.

Many people assume that it is just a case of cleanliness, and that these oil breakups can be prevented by merely washing away all of that excess oil. While this may somewhat improve the surface appearance of the skin, it is actually counterproductive to acne sufferers longer term. This is because repetitive cleaning does not affect the production of sebum beneath the surface whatsoever, just weakening and drying out the skin. As skin needs moisture in order to effectively shed skin cells, when it is excessively dried the body compensates by producing even more - you guessed it - oil.

Through many years of trial and error, we’ve finessed a catalogue of treatments and products strong enough to leave active acne as we know it shaking in its boots. Here are some of the incredibly effective treatments employed at Harley Street Skin, geared specifically at stopping those spots…