Nearly everyone has had acne, impure skin or pesky pimples at some point. Adolescents in particular often suffer greatly from Acne vulgaris (common acne, teenage acne). Acne is the result of a (natural) change in the hormonal balance, so prevention is hardly possible. Those affected perceive Acne always perceive it as unpleasant, but acne is not always equally severe. Here, 3 forms of acne are distinguished:

Severity levels of acne

  • mild form (Acne comedonica): blackheads (comedones), mainly in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), painless, without inflammation
  • moderate form (Acne papulopustulosa): inflamed pustules, fingernail-sized nodules, painful; these are also found on the back, décolleté and upper arms
  • severe form (Acne conglobata): purulent-inflammatory, often coin-sized nodules and craters, painful and scarring occurs

Help for acne – acne therapy

In all three forms of acne, therapy requires a lot of patience. Topical medications, for example, only show an effect after 6–8 weeks, and that usually means that the skin condition does not further deteriorate initially.

  • Treatment for mild acne: consistent, age- and skin-type-appropriate specialist care; gels are recommended for young patients with oily skin. If you are prone to eczema, you should use lotions that contain mild fruit acids instead of alcohol.
  • Treatment for moderate or severe acne: medical gels, creams, usually as combination therapy, which should achieve 3 goals: reduce sebum production, curb keratinization and blockage of the sebaceous glands, and kill bacteria that cause inflammation. An early start to therapy is important so that scars and skin changes can be prevented. It is also important to apply the products regularly, even if there may initially be side effects or a worsening.

Oral tablets for acne are prescribed only after careful consideration and for severe acne; they are not prescribed to young patients before the age of 13. Antibiotics for acne are approved for a maximum of 3 months. Oral retinoids are prescribed for severe acne and may be taken for at least 6 months.

Help for late-onset acne

A special form is the late-onset acne", which is a severe to moderate form of acne occurring after the age of 25. Women between 25 and 40 are particularly affected, as well as women in menopause. Here, an excess of male hormones is the cause: after stopping the pill, during or after pregnancy, during menopause, or in obese women. If men suffer from acne, it usually concerns symptoms that have persisted since puberty.

The treatment for late-onset acne unfortunately also requires a lot of patience from those affected. Since women in menopause also have to contend with dry skin, many drying youth products are not suitable. Creams are better than oil-free gels. The dermatologist must properly coordinate the skincare here. The treatment plan is pretty much the same as for teenage acne. An antibiotic course lasts at least 6 weeks; retinoids must be taken for significantly longer; additional creams support healing. Pregnant women must be careful: retinoids and certain antibiotics are not approved either as creams or as tablets. Topical medications, light therapies and selected medical peels are recommended. Certain birth control pills or hormone replacement therapies can also help women with late-onset acne, but caution: they are not suitable as sole acne therapy, as they, among other things, increase the risk of thrombosis, stroke or breast cancer.

Tips to alleviate acne

Although acne is almost always hormonally triggered, some measures can lead to an improvement:

Avoid carbohydrate-rich foods

Chocolate, white bread etc. are carbohydrate-rich foods that can raise blood sugar levels and stimulate sebum production.

Avoid the sun and tanning beds

These can lead to permanent brown spots that can only be removed with expensive laser treatments. Always use an oil-free sunscreen gel with a high SPF.

Avoid stress

Stress increases sebum production and can worsen acne problems.

JUVENIS offers the full spectrum of acne therapy. Experienced dermatologists work with you to develop a treatment tailored to your needs. Whether on the face, chest or back, impure skin and acne are treated quickly, gently and in a skin-friendly way. You can find information about this therapy at this link: Treatment of blemished skin and acne in Vienna as well as Behandlung Akne bei Erwachsenen, Spätakne, Akne Tarda

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