Acne Scarring Glasgow
Here at Ever Clinic, we provide the best treatments for acne scarring in Glasgow.
90% of acne sufferers have have some form of acne scarring which is permanent and it can be quite impactful of their daily lives.
Ever Clinic in Glasgow have made significant investment in past few years to bring patients with acne scarring an answer to their problem. Ever Clinic’s experts are on hand with access to multiple modalities to help reverse the damage acne scarring has on your face. We can also proudly boast we have access to the ONLY Erbium: YAG and CO2 fully ablative lasers in Scotland, giving you simply stunning results. Additionally we also are the only one of two clinics in the UK that has a Taylor Liberator, a device which delivers amazing results for acne scarring. More on Dr Cormac and the Taylor Liberator can be read here.
Your medical professional will take you through a consultation to understand exactly what your expectations and desires are, helping us achieve optimal outcomes. Local anaesthetic will be applied to ensure maximal comfort.
All Your Questions Answered – Acne Scarring Glasgow
What is the cause of acne?
Acne has 4 main causative factors:
- Hormone mediated sebum (oil) production on the face, back and chest
- Comedone formation (blackheads and whiteheads) which is caused by dead cells blocking the pilosebaceous ducts – this is also partly caused by hormones
- Colonisation (infection) with the bacterium acnes
- Inflammation due to the above factors
Factors that may affect acne:
Hormones
- Many young women find that acne worsens in the few days before their period
- Some medical conditions including Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
UV light
- May benefit acne
Stress
- This is unproven but may relate to the tendancy, in some, to scratch the spots as they appear (this is called acne excoriee)
Diet
- Eating more fresh fruit & vegetables, whole grains, fish, olive oil and garlic
- Eating less sugary foods, cakes, ice-creams and also drinking less bottled drinks
Cosmetics
- Oil-based cosmetics
Medications
- Steroids (tablets and creams)
- Anabolic steroids
What does acne look like?
- Greasy skin
- Comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) – sometimes stretching the skin makes these more visible
- Inflamed lesions – papules , pustules and nodules
- Scarring due to:
- Loss of tissue – atrophic scars
- Excess tissue – hypertrophic or keloid scars
- Pigmentation (skin colour darkening) which is much more common in darker skin types
Are investigations necessary?
It is uncommon for tests to be necessary. if the acne is severe, it’s important to to get in touch to find out how our acne treatments may help your condition. Tests are also likely to be unneccesary if over-the-counter treatments have failed to clean acne up or acne scars are prevelant. In certain cases, glandular conditions will be considered and we may recommendation blood tests or onward referral to an Endocrinologist.
Can acne be cured?
There is currently no cure for acne but there are very effective treatments to prevent new spots, and more importantly, scarring. Severe acne can result in a loss of confidence and self belief within an individual. Thanks to recent advancements in acne scarring treatments such as Topical treatments, Oral Antibiotics and Isotretinoin, we can offer patients the best course of treatment that suits them. However, results don’t happen instanteously and patience is required with all treatments offered.
How can acne be treated?
- Topical treatments
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Antibiotics including erythromycin, tetracycline and clindamycin
- Retinoids including isotretinoin and adapalene
- Oral antibiotics
- Usually erythromycin or a type of tetracycline
- This may be recommended in addition to a topical treatment
- Oral contraceptive pill (OCP)
- Some types of OCP can help females with acne
- Usually take 3-4 months for the benefits to be seen
- The most effective OCP has a slight risk of blood clots and are therefore not recommended in people who smoke, are significantly overweight or have a family history of blood clots
- Isotretinoin
- This powerful Vitamin A based treatment is used in severe acne
- Can continue to give benefits 2yrs after the treatment
- Due to a small risk of potentially serious side-effects, it is only prescribed under the supervision of a consultant dermatologist
At the Ever Clinic, we adopt a holistic approach to acne and skin health in general.
We provide a supportive environment and assist, when required, in terms of choosing a next step. We strongly recommend a shared-care approach with your family GP.
How can acne scarring be treated?
Unfortunately, acne scarring in Glasgow is a very common problem, with more than 90% of acne sufferers having some residual scarring.
As stated previously, the most effective approach is that of focusing on prevention of new scarring. Thereafter, scarring is usually addressed when the acne itself is under control. Up to 50% of scars (especially smaller ones) will naturally improve over 6-12 months.
It is critical to note that scarring can be IMPROVED BUT NOT REMOVED
The above is absolutely key, as expectations must be managed to avoid unrealistic expectations. We aim to improve the scar by up to 50-75%:
- Atrophic scars
- Ablative lasers – one of the most effective treatment options available. This technologically advanced approach may be used in conjunction with more traditional approaches. Such treatment has a recovery time which can be numbered in weeks or even months, and patients have to be carefully selected and counselled.
- Microneedling – a technique commonly used to improve scars by stimulating new collagen. It has much less ‘down-time’ than laser ablation and has a much milder effect, normally requiring a course of multiple treatments
- Punch excision – some small, deep scars are best removed as this can allow a new, more controlled wound to result
- Subcision – especially effective for ‘rolling’ scars, this surgical technique can be used to treat rolling scars. Here, the upper layer of the skin is separated from the underlying scar tissue, allowing blood to pool under the affected area. This helps form connective tissue, which pushes up the rolling scar so it’s level with the rest of the surface of the skin. More about the Taylor Liberator can be read here
What does it feel like to have acne?
You may be depressed if during the last month you’ve often felt down, depressed or hopeless, and have little interest or pleasure in doing things.
If you think that you or your child may have depression, it’s important to speak to your GP.
Treatments for depression include:
- talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- a type of antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Read more about treatment for depression.
Support for acne
There’s currently no main charity or support group for people affected by acne in Scotland.
However, there’s a range of informally run message boards and blogs about acne on the web. You may find it supportive to read about other people’s experience of living with acne.
Two such examples are:
- Talkhealth provides a free acne support and information community
- Changing faces is a charity that supports people with any condition or injury that affects their appearance. They offer:
- Brief and confidential advice and information
- The opportunity to get in touch with a Changing Faces Practitioner
- Self-help guides