Skin & Scalp
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Acne, skin and anti ageing

Skin is the largest organ in our body. In total it accounts for 16 percent of our body weight. It covers the entire body and has a surface area of around 2 square metres. Its thickness varies from 0.5mm on the eyelids to 4mm or more on the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet.

Acne

What is acne?

Acne is the most common type of skin condition. It is most widespread among older children, teenagers and young adults. Acne is easily recognised by the appearance of the spots and by their distribution on the face, neck, chest or back. More than 90 per cent of teenagers have acne. Acne can also be a problem for older people.

Causes of acne

Acne is thought to be caused by changes in hormones that are triggered during puberty. The symptoms of acne can be mild, moderate or severe.

Acne usually starts between ages 12 and 14. The sebaceous (oil-producing) glands of people who get acne are particularly sensitive to normal blood levels of a hormone called testosterone, which is present in both men and women. This causes the glands to produce an excess of oil. At the same time, the dead skin cells lining the pores are not shed properly and clog up the follicles. As a result of overproduction of sebum and obstruction of its flow, the sebaceous glands become enlarged forming a pimple or spot.

In cases of severe acne, scarring can occur. However, this can usually be prevented by seeking prompt treatment.

Acne treatment

With treatment, the outlook for acne is generally good. Treatments can take between two to three months to work but, once they do, the results are usually effective.

Depending on the severity, outlook and causes of acne, your GP can prescribe a suitable treatment ranging from creams and lotions (e.g. antibiotic lotions, retinoids or azelaic acid), oral antibiotics, oral contraceptives or oral retinoids.

Topical treatment of acne

Topical treatments are usually the first choice for those with mild to moderate acne. They should be applied to the entire affected area of the skin. Retinoids such as Retin-A gel are medicines based on vitamin A that work by unblocking your pores.

Oral contraceptives as acne treatment

The combined oral contraceptive pill works for women if their acne is caused by hormonal changes. Dianette is often prescribed by Doctors where sensitivity to androgen hormone is thought to be making acne worse, for example, for women with excess facial hair growth in addition to acne.

Wrinkles

Our skin can be divided intro three layers:

• Epidermis (the outermost layer) contains skin cells, pigment, and proteins.
• Dermis (the middle layer) contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and oil glands
• Subcutaneous layer (the innermost layer)

Each layer of the skin contains connective tissue with collagen fibres to give support and elastin fibres to provide flexibility and strength. 

Over time, the dermis loses both its collagen and elastin, so the skin gets thinner and has trouble getting enough moisture to the epidermis. The fat in the subcutaneous layer that gives skin a plump appearance also begins to disappear. Overall, this results in wrinkles.

Acne and wrinkles treatment at Medical Specialists

Acne can cause great distress and can have an adverse effect not only on the state of well being but also on the quality of life and self esteem of a person. Medical Specialists provides clinically proven treatments for acne, wrinkles and anti-ageing through online consultations.

Having perfect skin all our lives is not possible, but improving the way it looks is, with certain products. These reduce the appearance of acne and the fine wrinkle lines around our face, which make us look older, and variations of tretinoin, certain oral contraceptives and other products, have clearly been demonstrated by medical research to do this.

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