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A ccording to the Better Health Channel, acne is caused by inflammation of the hair follicles, and affects the face, back and chest. It comes in a variety of forms, including blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and cysts. Community Pharmacist and Master Herbalist Gerald Quigley describes acne as a “skin disorder of the fat cells in your skin”. “It can be hormonal – an interaction between hormones and oils in your skin and bacteria, where the hair follicle becomes inflamed,” he said, adding that it can be marked by “pus-filled and very painful” bumps. “In girls, acne can often be period- related, because it’s hormone driven. In boys, as their testosterone develops, they’ll often get more pimples as well. “Acne in teenagers can be emotionally really draining, where ... they don’t feel right, their friends \\\[may\\\] make fun of them and that adds to their stress ... so, acne should never be ignored.” Importance of proper management Affecting more than “90 per cent of Australian teens aged 16-18 years”, according to Clinical Associate Professor Kurt Gebauer in an article published by racgp.org.au, acne can have “a profound impact on self- esteem, mood and psychological status”, making it important to treat and manage the common condition. “In teenagers, enthusiasm for and compliance with therapy is paramount,” he said, underscoring the importance of recognising that “this patient group accepts most health advice from their peers or from the internet”. Skin care routine One of the most effective ways to manage acne is with an adequate skin care routine, Mr Quigley says. “It’s about maintaining the \\\[skin barrier\\\],” he said. “Cleansing effectively \\\[and\\\] moisturising with an oil-free moisturiser as well \\\[is important\\\]. “Avoid greasy makeup, because all that does is block pores, which adds to the problem. “And avoid popping pimples, because that can cause scarring.” When it comes to a good cleansing routine, Associate Professor Gebauer advises against the use of excessive scrubbing and exfoliating. “Generally, heavy cleansing, milder SKIN FIX 63 “Hormonal fluctuations are a key cause for acne in tweens and teens. However, diet has a significant impact on hormonal fluctuations ” cheaper soaps and washes, scrubbing/ exfoliating cause irritation to the epidermis and blockage of sebaceous glands by causing damage and inflammation of the epidermal barrier,” he said. Diet and acne Various causes contribute to acne, but Fertility and Prenatal Dietitian Melanie McGrice advises that diet has a role to play. “Excessive intake of high glycaemic index foods and saturated fats tend to increase inflammation, which increases acne,” she said. “Hormonal fluctuations are a key cause for acne in tweens and teens. However, diet has a significant impact on hormonal fluctuations.” According to Mr Quigley “food does play a role in whether acne develops to a great extent or not”. “We know that if you can avoid saturated fats, processed foods and refined sugars, your risks of acne outbreak will be much less,” he said. “So, just \\\[eat\\\] as simple food options as possible ... like eggs, oily fish, avocado, mushrooms, apricots, fresh fruit and vegetables ... All those things help with the basic minerals that our skin needs to thrive. “And for acne ... a zinc supplement can often make a difference, because it stops those fat cells in the hair follicles from blocking up and becoming infected.” Mr Quigley also suggests the use of aged garlic extract “to reduce risk of infection”, along with apple cider vinegar with meals, which “helps digestion”. For those who may need antibiotics to treat their acne, Mr Quigley says it’s a good idea to add a probiotic then, “to offset what the antibiotic is doing to the bacteria in the gut”. Medical intervention While looking after your skin and eating well is important in the management of acne, Mr Quigley says that for severe cases of acne, medical intervention is required to prevent infection and scarring. “Usually that person is treated by the doctor with an antibiotic,” he said. “In extreme cases, kids get referred to a dermatologist for the more serious treatments.” References: 1. Better Health Channel. ‘Acne’. betterhealth.vic.gov. au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/acne \\\[Accessed 15/1/21\\\]. 2. Gebauer K, 2017. ‘Acne in adolescents’. racgp. org.au/afp/2017/december/acne-in-adolescents/ \\\[Accessed 15/1/21\\\]. For more information around nutrition for managing acne, visit Ms McGrice’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/NourishWithMelanie. RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • FEB 2021