Acne vulgaris
Causes, symptoms
and treatment
What is acne vulgaris?
Acne vulgaris is the medical name for common acne and spans a range of classifications and symptoms:
- Mild – blackheads and whiteheads
- Moderate – blackheads, whiteheads, pustules and papules
- Severe – hard and painful nodules and cysts, often occurring on multiple areas of the body
Most people suffer from Acne vulgaris in their teenage years when they go through puberty, due to fluctuations in and sensitivity to hormones.
Causes
Acne vulgaris is typically caused by hormonal changes. The sebaceous glands start to overproduce oil, causing clogged pores and inflammation. Hormonal changes tend to occur especially during puberty, which is why so many teenagers experience acne outbreaks.
However, acne can happen at any age and many cases tend to persist through adulthood. Some women also experience acne outbreaks just before their period. Often, the contraceptive pill can also contribute to this type of acne.
Acne vulgaris symptoms
Whiteheads
Whiteheads are blocked and congested pores that can appear as white spots or bumps on the skin. These occur when the pores become blocked with debris, such as dead skin cells and excess oil.
Blackheads
Blackheads also known as “open” comedones are hair follicles filled with excess oil, debris and oxidised dead skin cells. They appear most commonly on oily skin types and can be present at the early stages of mild to moderate acne.
Pustules
Pustules are tender, red bums which contain fluid or pus. They can look very similar to whiteheads, however, they can grow quite big.
Cystic lesions
Cystic lesions or nodules are hard, painful lumps under the skin and often a symptom of severe acne. They are usually a result of hormonal imbalance, but can develop from moderate acne if the condition worsens without effective intervention.
Treatments for acne vulgaris
Skin peels
HydraFacial
Isolaz blue light treatment
How to prevent acne vulgaris
Since acne vulgaris is mostly caused by hormonal changes, there isn’t a lot you can do to control this. However, a range of lifestyle changes can compliment your treatment and skincare regime, to help keep the symptoms of acne vulgaris at bay.
- Wear sun protection: acne skin treatments and medication can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, increasing the risk of sunburn and inflammation
- Avoid touching or picking at acne lesions: picking at acne increases the risk of scarring.
- Avoid foods that may cause flare-ups: dairy and foods with a high-glycemic index.
Treat your acne vulgaris at sk:n
Book a consultation to see a trained acne specialist at your nearest sk:n clinic for £25 and have your skin thoroughly assessed. You will receive an individual treatment plan and advice on a skincare routine that will help keep your acne vulgaris at bay.
Please note, if you are under 18 and would like to book a consultation for acne vulgaris treatment, you must have your consultation with a nurse and be accompanied by a parent or guardian. However, you can go on to have treatment without them in attendance. You may need to also have a consultation with a dermatologist depending on the severity of your acne.
At sk:n, we’re proud to have leading dermatologists treating acne vulgaris in our clinics across the UK, as well as a team of acne specialists who understand the medical causes behind acne vulgaris and the emotional impact on those who suffer from this condition.
At sk:n, we have the solutions to solve your acne concerns, for skin you love again.
Book your acne vulgaris consultation today and start your journey to clearer skin.
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