Clearer Skin Starts with Understanding the Cause
Acne is one of the most common skin concerns and can affect people of all ages. While it is often associated with the teenage years, many adults continue to experience breakouts caused by hormones, lifestyle, stress or changes within the skin.
At Dermesthetica, a personalised, nurse-informed approach is taken to treating acne by looking beyond the visible breakouts. Every treatment plan is tailored to your individual skin concerns, helping to reduce breakouts, improve skin health and minimise the risk of long-term scarring.
What is acne?
Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects the skin’s oil (sebaceous) glands and hair follicles. It develops when excess oil, dead skin cells and naturally occurring skin bacteria (Cutibacterium acnes) contribute to blocked pores and inflammation.
Acne can affect people of all ages, not just teenagers, and may present as blackheads, whiteheads, inflamed spots, painful cystic breakouts or persistent congestion. Hormonal changes, genetics, stress and lifestyle factors can all influence how acne develops and behaves.
Because acne is a chronic condition, successful management often requires more than simply treating individual breakouts. Understanding and addressing the underlying contributing factors is key to achieving healthier, more resilient skin.
Common Signs & Symptoms
Acne can present in many different ways and may include:
Blackheads
Whiteheads
Inflamed breakouts
Painful deeper blemishes
Congested skin
Excess oil production
Post-inflammatory marks
Acne scarring
Acne Marks & Scarring
Even after active acne has improved, it can leave behind visible marks or scarring. Not all acne marks are true scars, and different types of post-acne changes require different treatment approaches.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) appears as brown or darker marks left after inflammation, while post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) presents as persistent red or pink marks. These changes are not true scars and often respond well to personalised homecare, professional resurfacing treatments and appropriate skin rejuvenation procedures.
True acne scarring develops when inflammation damages the deeper layers of the skin, leading to changes in skin texture such as depressed (atrophic) scars. Treatments including Dermapen 4 microneedling, PRP and regenerative therapies may be recommended to stimulate collagen production and gradually improve the appearance of acne scars.
Following your consultation, the most appropriate treatment plan will be recommended based on the type of post-acne changes present and your individual skin concerns.
Common Triggers
Acne is often influenced by a combination of internal and external factors, including:
Hormonal changes
Genetics
Excess oil production
Stress
Inappropriate skincare products
Certain medications
Diet and lifestyle factors
Friction or occlusion
(for example, sports equipment or face coverings)
As every person’s skin is different, identifying potential triggers is an important part of creating an effective treatment plan.
How Dermesthetica Can Help
At Dermesthetica, every treatment plan begins with a thorough consultation and skin assessment to understand your skin, lifestyle and treatment goals.
The focus is not simply on treating individual breakouts but on improving skin health, reducing inflammation, supporting healthy skin function and helping to minimise the risk of future breakouts, post-inflammatory marks and acne scarring.
Treatment recommendations are always personalised and may include professional treatments, medical-grade skincare and advice to support long-term skin health.
While many clients respond well to professional skin treatments and personalised homecare, there may be occasions where further medical assessment would be beneficial. If your skin is not responding as expected, or additional medical support is considered appropriate, you may be advised to consult your GP or a dermatologist. This collaborative approach helps ensure you receive the most appropriate care while achieving the safest and best possible outcomes.
Recommended Treatment Approach
Treatment recommendations are always tailored to your individual skin condition and goals. Depending on your skin’s needs, your personalised treatment plan may include one or a combination of the following:
LED Light Therapy
may be incorporated into your treatment plan to help calm inflammation, support the skin's natural healing processes and promote skin recovery.
Professional Homecare
is an essential part of every treatment plan. Depending on your skin's needs, professional skincare from Epionce, Lira Clinical or DermaQuest may be recommended to help reduce breakouts, support skin health and maintain long-term treatment results between clinic visits. For many clients, the best results are achieved through a combination of professional treatments, personalised homecare and healthy lifestyle habits.
A Holistic Approach to Acne Management
At Dermesthetica, I take a holistic approach to skin health. Alongside professional treatments and personalised skincare, I recognise that factors such as hormonal balance, nutrition, gut health, sleep, stress and overall lifestyle may also influence the skin. Supporting skin health both internally and externally often provides the best long-term results.
Why Choose Dermesthetica?
- Qualified Nurse and Advanced Skin Practitioner
- Personalised Treatment Plans
- Evidence-Based, Holistic Approach to Skin Health
- Focus on Long-Term Skin Health
- Professional Skincare
- Collaborative Approach with Medical Professionals When Appropriate
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes acne?
Acne develops due to a combination of factors, including excess oil production, inflammation, hormones, genetics and blocked pores. Stress, certain medications, lifestyle factors and inappropriate skincare products may also contribute to breakouts.
Can adults develop acne?
Yes. Adult acne is increasingly common and can affect both men and women. It is often associated with hormonal changes, stress, lifestyle factors or certain medications.
Is oily skin the cause of acne?
Not necessarily. While excess oil production can contribute to acne, breakouts are usually caused by a combination of factors including inflammation, hormones, bacteria and blocked pores. Even people with combination or relatively dry skin can experience acne.
What is fungal acne?
Some skin conditions that resemble acne are actually caused by an overgrowth of yeast within the hair follicles. This is commonly referred to as fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis). Because it requires a different treatment approach to acne vulgaris, an accurate skin assessment is important. If further medical assessment is considered appropriate, you may be advised to consult your GP or a dermatologist.
Can diet and lifestyle contribute to acne?
Yes. While acne cannot usually be attributed to one single cause, factors such as nutrition, gut health, stress, sleep and hormonal changes may influence skin health in some individuals. At Dermesthetica, I believe the best results are often achieved by combining professional treatments, personalised skincare and a healthy lifestyle.
What is the difference between acne marks and acne scars?
Acne marks, such as PIH (brown marks) and PIE (red marks), are temporary changes in skin colour following inflammation. They are not true scars and often improve with professional skincare and resurfacing treatments.
Acne scars develop when inflammation damages the deeper layers of the skin, resulting in permanent changes to skin texture. Treatments such as Dermapen 4, PRP and regenerative therapies may help improve their appearance over time.
Can acne scars be improved?
Yes. Many acne scars can be improved with the appropriate treatment plan once active acne has been successfully controlled. The most suitable treatment depends on the type and severity of the scarring and will be discussed during your consultation.
How many treatments will I need?
Every skin is unique, so the number of treatments varies depending on the severity of your acne and your treatment goals. While many clients notice improvements after the first few treatments, the best results are usually achieved through a personalised treatment plan combined with consistent homecare.
Do I need to know which treatment to book?
No. If you’re unsure which treatment is most suitable, simply book a consultation. Following a thorough skin assessment, the most appropriate treatment plan will be recommended based on your skin concerns, skin condition and long-term goals.