Treatments for skin conditions like acne and rosacea

Anyone who suffers from a chronic skin condition will tell you that they can cause discomfort and distress and often lead to problems with self-confidence and self-esteem. According to the British Skin Foundation, sixty per cent of the British population is currently suffering or has suffered from a skin condition in their lifetime. Skin conditions such as acne and rosacea are very common and some have no cure. There are effective treatments available which have excellent results, allowing you to have some control over and manage your condition, and we will talk these through with you when you come for your initial consultation with us at our St Albans clinic.

Listen to the experts

Whatever your skin condition, it’s important to seek professional advice for a correct diagnosis before starting any treatment. Using the wrong products can’t cause the condition but they can be ineffective. For example, if you use a product like Tea Tree for acne that over strips the oil from your skin, it is likely to encourage the production of even more oil which won’t resolve anything and may even cause the condition to worsen.

Mind-skin connection

Two of the most common skin diseases that we treat in our clinic are acne and rosacea. Whilst external factors can’t cause them, we have seen that diet does seem to have an impact on these conditions for some of our patients; these factors, such as eating tomatoes, are anecdotal and what may impact one person’s condition may not necessarily impact yours. We usually suggest keeping a food and lifestyle diary so that we can see if there is any correlation between certain foods and lifestyle factors (for example stress and/or anxiety) and a flare-up in your skin condition.

Simple measures

We understand that it’s easy to bury your head in the sand if you have a skin problem like acne or rosacea, but in the long run, not using any products at all won’t help you and it’s in your best interest to take a few steps towards getting your skin under control if you can. There are many ways to manage your skin condition yourself, the trick is finding the right one for you. A simple one for rosacea sufferers is to wear an SPF30+ mineral-based sunscreen every day as the sun’s UV rays are a known trigger for this condition. For acne, finding the right skincare regime will be key to helping you control outbreaks and flare-ups.

Don’t expect miracles overnight

When you’re dealing with a skin disease, dermatology is no different to any other speciality in the field of medicine. You need to give any treatment, be it topical or internal, a fair time to see how well it’s working for you. For the best results, always use the products as prescribed by your practitioner and avoid getting impatient or losing heart. We are here to help you throughout your course of treatment so if you feel that the products may not be working as you would like, be sure to feedback to your practitioner so that she can try an alternative with you. Your practitioner will take a baseline image of your skin at the beginning of your treatment so that she can track and see what progress you’re making. Sometimes, because you see your skin every day, you don’t realise how much improvement you’ve made so it can be a really positive tool and will ensure that you stick to the treatment right to the end.

As different skin conditions present in different ways, at your initial consultation, our medical practitioners will examine your skin and advise you on the best course of treatment for you. For advice and information, you can speak to our friendly team and arrange an appointment.

Disclaimer: This blog is not to be used for diagnostic purposes. We are all unique which means that our results, recovery and suitability for any type of treatment will vary. Always seek the advice of a professional should you have any health or cosmetic concerns or to discuss treatments specifically for you.