Ask the Doctor: Acne (Pimples)

Hello! I’m Harley, a doctor working in Victoria. Welcome back to Ask the Doctor!

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Today, we’re talking about skin, in particular, acne – the annoying pimples you thought would cease once you left the clutches of puberty, and yet, here you are as a 20, 30, 40-year-old still wondering why your skin hates you so much.

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Well, you’re not alone. About 60 per cent of people in their 20s still experience acne, and at least 40 per cent of those in their 30s.

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So What Exactly is Acne?

Basically, all over your body you have little pores (see image). These pores have three main components:

1. A hair follicle, which hairs grow from
2. A sebaceous gland, which produces oils to prevent your skin from becoming too dry
3. A little muscle, which is what lifts your hairs up when you have ‘goosebumps’.

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Acne is what happens when these pores get blocked. They can become blocked by dead skin cells or excess oils. These pores can trap bacteria, causing the immune system to activate and come to the rescue – unfortunately, this just increases the redness and pain of the pimples (see image).

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So Why Am I Getting Acne?

The million dollar question!

1. Genetics: Having parents or siblings with acne makes you three times more likely to have issues with acne.

2. Hormones: This is classically why many of us get pimples during puberty – hormones are to blame, driven by our genes. Menstrual cycles and hormone conditions like PCOS can also lead to pimples.

3. Diet: There is often a suggestion that diet is related to the development of acne, particularly dairy products and high sugar diets. There is some evidence to support this and it’s worth a shot cutting something out of your diet for a few weeks.

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Other factors include: obesity, smoking, stress, cosmetics, medications.

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What Can I Do to Prevent Acne?

1. Wash your face daily with a gentle skin cleanser.
2. Wear sunscreen if you’re going to be in the sun.
3. Try to reduce the amount of sugar in your diet.
4. Speak to your doctor… see the following tips.

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Oh No, I Have a Pimple! What Should I Do?

1. Do your best not to pop it! Popping pimples may be satisfying, but you’ll regret it later. Popped acne can also lead to skin infections, and create bad scars.
2. Continue to use a facial cleanser daily.
3. Benzoyl Peroxide is a topical ointment that can be used as a ‘spot treatment’ for pimples.

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I Have Really Bad Acne, is There Something My Doctor Could Do About This?

Yes! Treatment for acne is not perfect but it is certainly getting better. Treatment may include: topical retinoids, short term antibiotics, oral contraceptive pills, or oral isotretinoin. It’s important to note that all of these treatments have side effects, so you should speak to your doctor about what options might work for you.

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Thanks for Reading This Month’s Article!

Please write to About Time with any questions you have or suggestions for future topics. Trust me, nothing is off limits – most of my day is spent asking whether people have opened their bowels or farted.