There are specific products that we recommend, and these will be included in your welcome pack.

Acne is a very common skin condition characterised by pustules (pus-filled spots), blackheads and whiteheads (comedones). Acne usually starts in puberty and varies in severity. Most adolescents will at some time have a few spots on the face, back and chest. Others will develop more severe acne that can cause embarrassment, destroy self-confidence and cause scarring. For most, acne tends to resolve by the late teens or early twenties but for others it can persist for longer. Some people develop acne for the first time in their late twenties or even thirties.

The sebaceous (oil-producing) glands of people who get acne are particularly sensitive to normal blood levels of the hormone testosterone. This sensitivity causes the glands to produce an excess of oil in both men and women. Concurrently, follicles are clogged up by dead skin cells lining the pores which are not shed properly. The excess oil and clogged follicles result in a build-up of oil producing blackheads (where a darkened plug of oil is visible) and whiteheads. The acne bacterium lives on everyone’s skin, usually causing no problems. Unfortunately for those prone to acne, the build-up of oil creates an ideal environment in which these bacteria can multiply. This triggers inflammation and the formation of red or pus-filled spots.

Advanced acne medication is an oral medication used to treat moderate to severe and chronic acne. It is a Vitamin-A derivative (retinoid). The liver naturally makes small quantities of isotretinoin from Vitamin-A, but the drug we prescribe is made synthetically. Isotretinoin was developed in the 1950s, and was first approved for treatment of severe acne in 1982. Annually, about 30,000 patients benefit from Isotretinoin treatment on the NHS and many more receive treatment by private prescription. All told, millions of patients have benefitted from Isotretinoin therapy in the past 40 years. Follow this link for further information on Isotretinoin.

Possibly. However, waiting lists are typically 6+ months and longer since coronavirus. If you are developing scarring from acne, waiting another 6 – 9 months will leave permanent reminders of the delay. Even when you start, your treatment may be discontinued if health services are overwhelmed. We had a large number of patients transfer to our private care when their Roaccutane treatment on the NHS was abruptly discontinued due to coronavirus.

Isotretinoin reduces your acne by:

1. Shrinking the size of your skin’s oil glands.
2. Minimising the volume of oil in your glands by up to 80%.
3. Reducing the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria that live in skin oil due to the smaller size of glands and volume of oil.
4. Slowing the speed of cell production in your pores, which reduces clogging.
5. Decreasing inflammation underneath your skin.

Patients who receive a therapeutically appropriate dose of Isotretinoin tend to fall into one of two categories. They either enjoy several years of relief from acne, or they enjoy permanent relief. The manufactures of Roaccutane do not claim that it is a cure for acne. Isotretinoin therapy is currently the most effective, fastest acting and longest lasting treatment for adult onset acne.

Advanced acne medication is a very powerful and effective treatment, but it does have some serious potential risks. It can cause severe and long lasting damage to a patient’s health, which is why blood tests are critical and why the dosage must be prescribed by an experienced doctor. For women, the medication causes birth defects so they must not become pregnant while taking the medication and for several months after finishing it. There are no reproductive issues for men who take the treatment. The medication can cause changes in mood, and causes dryness to the membranes (skin, mouth, eyes, lips, etc.) and sensitivity to light. It can also cause serious health issues such as a spike in cholesterol, drop in Gamma GTs indicating you’ve developed a neutropenia, etc. Therefore, the dose must be balanced to keep these side effects bearable during the 5 – 7 month treatment cycle. Because of these risks and inconveniences, advanced acne medication is a treatment of last resort when a patient has exhausted other options such as over the counter treatments, oral and topical antibiotics. The key advantage of advanced acne medication is that it has an extremely high success rate in resolving acne that cannot be helped in any other way. Patients who complete the course tend to enjoy benefits lasting from several years to the rest of their lives.