Clinic Closure re: COVID-19

Dear Patients and Clients 

To protect our staff, our patients and the public, and in accordance with the government guidelines regarding COVID-19, we have taken the decision to close the clinic doors. 

This means that all non-urgent appointments are now cancelled until further notice.  

Until we open our doors to the public again, our medical director will be available for you over email, phone, Skype, SMS, Facebook and WhatsApp. 

All our products can be purchased online via our website. If you require a repeat prescription, our medical director will be conducting remote consultations via telephone or Skype and arrangements will be made for you to collect your prescription medication.  

Please continue to call 01268 770660 if you need any help or advice. 

Stay safe. Keep well. Remain positive.

Keeping you safe

Thank you for your continued loyalty and trust in Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh Essex during these uncertain times. We hope you and your loved ones are safe, healthy and calm, and, if you are self-isolating, that you are coping as well as can be expected.

Our commitment and responsibility towards you has never been stronger as we face the Covid-19 pandemic. We are continuously monitoring the ever-changing guidelines and circumstances surrounding the coronavirus and we are going above and beyond to keep you and our team safe and healthy.

At the moment, it is business as usual here, so please attend as normal for your appointments unless:

* you have a fever, persistent cough or breathing problems

* you have been abroad in the last two weeks

* you are over 70

* you have an underlying health condition

If you have any concerns at all, just give us a call and we will offer our advice.

“As you know, I am a qualified nurse consultant in dermatology, so cleaning protocols are reinforced repeatedly on a daily basis to keep our clinic clean but this is nothing new for us, we adhere to the best practice guidelines at all times. All our team members are trained in regular hand washing and undertake this as routine,” said Sue Ibrahim, our clinical director.

Things we are doing to keep you safe

  • We are leaving at least a 10 minute gap between appointments to reduce the close contact between clients in our waiting room
  • Offering telephone appointments and follow-up calls
  • We are disinfecting any communal areas between clients, including cleaning door handles etc more regularly
  • At present none of our team has reported any symptoms. If that changes we will follow the isolation guidelines as set out by the Department of Health.

Please be assured that our team will continue to provide you with the highest level of service in a safe and clean environment during your time with us. Please call us on 01268 770 660 and listen to our recorded message for the latest information. If you would like any advice, please call us and we will do all we can to help.

And keep checking our Facebook page for updates.

Please look after yourselves,

Sue

Is our stem cell cream all it’s cracked up to be?

Anyone familiar with Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh Essex will know that we offer a range of highly effective, non-prescription skin care products.

The Elan Medical DermaActive products have been developed by Sue Ibrahim, a nurse consultant in dermatology, as an effective and affordable skin care range that contains the highest possible ratio of clinically-proven ingredients, delivering results our clients are extremely happy with.

Our products can help with skin problems such as acne, rosacea, eczema, melasma, blemishes, sun damage, dermatitis, psoriasis and sensitive skins, among others. They contain the latest advancements in stem cell regeneration, growth factors and oligopeptides that are designed to strengthen the resilience of the skin and protect the skin from environmental damage.

Our featured product this month is the DermaRepair Stem Cell Cream, a special treatment that revitalises and nourishes ageing and traumatised skin.

This powerful skin rejuvenating cream contains a synergistic blend of peptides, bio-source epidermal growth factors, plant-derived stem cells and a pro-vitamin complex. It has been formulated to boost the stimulation of keratinocyte proliferation, nourishing the epidermis and improving the look of ageing or traumatised skin.

Search for plant stem cell use in facial creams on the internet and you will find a plethora of articles, some claiming miracles and others demanding more research. One thing they all seem to agree on is that the regenerative properties of plants has truly grabbed the interest of dermatology researchers and the cosmetics industry alike.

Our medical director, Sue Ibrahim, says she is looking forward to additional research into plant stem cells and associated biotechnology in this blossoming and exciting area.

“Please rest assured that our products are clinically proven, this is very important to us and especially me, with my medical background,” said Sue.

“One of the key ingredients in our stem cell cream is Centella Asiatica Stem Cells (Gotu Kola) – a rich substance with antioxidant activity higher than that of common natural antioxidant benchmarks. In clinical studies this extract has demonstrated a deep firming activity while improving skin tone and elasticity.”

One of our clients, M Nightingale, gave our stem cell cream 5 stars, saying: ”I was given this cream as part of my aftercare following a procedure at the clinic. It certainly helped reduce the downtime following the procedure.

“I was told to expect around 14 days’ downtime and my skin healed within 7 days! I have purchased another pot on behalf of a friend. I will certainly carry on using my cream for the full 6 weeks as it is very light and soothing.”

Other key ingredients are:

• Bio-placenta provides many benefits, including anti-wrinkle, skin rejuvenation, and cell vitalisation.

• Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11 offers improvement of epidermal cohesion in vitro, through skin firmness and elasticity, as well as a refined texture for ageing skin.

• Pentapeptide-18 targets in vitro the wrinkle-formation mechanism of expression wrinkles.

• Multi vitamins A, C and E.

• Jasminoides Meristem Cell Culture (Gardenia Stem Cells) – gardenia jasminoides stems strongly inhibit collagenase by limiting collagen degradation and preventing skin damage and firmness loss.

“None of our products contain fragrances or preservatives, the most common causes of skin sensitivity. None of the products have been tested on animals and each active ingredient has been selected to produce results. Please feel free to contact us if you require any support or guidance in using these products,” added Sue.

All of our products can be ordered directly from our website and are shipped promptly.

Just look at our reviews – 4.9 stars from 886 happy clients*!

The team at Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Essex is so delighted with our fantastic star rating that we just had to share it.

If you visit our website, you will see a Pabau logo in the top left-hand corner, which takes readers to a live streaming page. You can rest assured that we don’t censor a single thing – our clients’ reviews are all there, warts and all!

They are all genuine clients too and we never offer discounts or vouchers in return for reviews, as our medical director, Sue Ibrahim, just doesn’t feel this is right.

“As you can see from the dates, we encourage all of our clients to leave a review,” said Sue, a nurse consultant in dermatology.

“It’s absolutely great to hear how well we are doing, of course, but it’s also helpful to see where we can improve. We always encourage clients to speak to us if they are not entirely satisfied with the service or the care or treatment that have received and we will do our utmost to put this right.”

Here are just a few of the reviews that have been left on Pabau over the past week…

Sue was very professional and informative as usual. I trust her absolutely. *****”

Vanya Osmond

“Can’t thank Sue enough for the support and advice she has given me. *****”

Michelle Williams

Amy was her usual cheerful, professional and welcoming self. I would have no hesitation in recommending! *****”

Sandra Osbourn

We also have a further 4.6 stars on Facebook from 66 people* and a host more on our reviews page.

*These star ratings were correct at the time of publishing this blog.

Endymed Offer during March

Endymed Fractional Skin Resurfacing combines medical grade micro needling and radiofrequency technology that helps rejuvenate the skin by improving skin tone and texture, and reducing the appearance of wrinkles, acne, and scars. The treatment is minimally invasive and is typically well tolerated with little-to-no downtime. In many cases only one treatment is required, although more treatments are required to improve the appearance of scars and stretch marks.

Full face fractional skin resurfacing by Sue Ibrahim

Click here for more information on Fractional Skin Resurfacing

During March we are offering a complimentary DermaRadiance Skin System worth £150 with every full face or full face and neck treatment.

At Elan Medical Skin Clinic we have over five years clinical experience using Endymed technology, so you can rest assured that you are in expert hands.

How do I request a consultation?

You can either give Elan Medical Skin Clinic a call on 01268 770660 or you can contact us via our website and someone will get back to you.

Click here to read what our patients are currently saying about Elan Medical Skin Clinic

NON-SURGICAL TREATMENTS

We use the latest technology and most up-to-date approaches to ensure the best results

Scar and Keloids

Every time the skin is cut or damaged through its full thickness it will heal with a scar. Some people naturally make better scars than others. We cannot accurately predict this but in general we are aware that patients with a black skin and at the opposite end of the spectrum patients with fair freckled skin and red hair will tend to produce poor scars including hypertrophic scars and keloids.

Certain areas of the body produce worse scars than others. The worst area being the middle of the chest which can on rare occasions produce keloids spontaneously without any known injury. The tip of the shoulder is poor, but fortunately the face and neck make good scars generally. Scars which lie in the lines of skin tension tend to be better than ones that run across them. Surgeons will try and choose a good site and direction, but if the scar is due to an injury, there is no choice.

What is the difference between a hypertrophic scar and a Keloid?
There is a whole range of scars but at the poor end there is the hypertrophic scar which occurs when the wound heals to become red, raised and itchy for a few months but will then resolve to become flat and pale. A keloid is similar but the scar continues to grow encroaching upon normal tissue and may need specific treatment.

The treatment of active scars
Time is the best healer as eventually normal scars and hypertrophic scars will mature and become pale. We tend however to try and treat the severer hypertrophic scars and keloids.

The simplest is the application of a steroid containing tape which is worn day and night for extended periods. Strong steroids such as Triamcinalone can be injected into the scar itself. It is usually given as a course at 4 to 6 week intervals. Scar revision surgery is usually done under local anaesthesia when it is felt that a scar can be improved because of particular circumstances or complications of healing in the first instance, or because the procedure is likely to be carried out in a better manner. The old scar is
removed surgery and is repaired. Post operative pain is usually minimal. Sutures are usually removed in 4 to 6 days from the face and 7 to 10 days from other parts of the body. Stitch marks are much less likely to appear on the face as the stitches are removed early. All new scars will initially be red. Fading occurs within 6 to 24 months depending on the scar’s location and the patient’s skin type.

Acne scars
Scars caused by active acne are difficult to treat. On the face it is sometimes possible to cut out the deep scars or to lift them to normal skin level. Dermabrasion and chemical peels have been used to reduce the overall depth of scars and to tighten the skin. More recently laser resurfacing has been used for the same purpose and has become very popular. It should be stressed that these treatments do not remove the scars and at best give a moderate improvement. None of these surgical procedures are suitable away from the face.

Keloids
These are a difficult and unresolved problem. The easiest to treat are earlobe keloids which sometimes appear after piercing and
often simple excision is adequate.

Elsewhere courses of steroid injections are the main treatment, rarely, excision using some other treatment to try and reduce recurrence of keloids can be helpful. With any surgical revision there is a risk that another keloid may form, but with regular treatment follow-ups and modern treatments, this may be prevented.

If you have an unwanted scar or scars, why not let us take a look.

How do I book an appointment?

You can either call Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Essex on 01268 770660 between 9.30am and 5pm Monday to Saturday or you can book your minor surgery appointment in Essex by going to our online booking form and one of our reception team will contact you by phone or email, whichever you prefer.

We charge £95 for a this consultation. You will be asked to pay your initial consultation fee by credit or debit card on confirming your appointment.


Can keto or low-carb diets cure acne?

Most people follow a low-carb or keto diet expecting to lose weight, achieve better blood sugar control, and/or lower their blood pressure. In most cases, these are exactly the type of results that occur.

However, some individuals may also experience an unexpected bonus: improvement in skin quality, including a decrease in the frequency and severity of acne.

Indeed, there’s emerging evidence that this way of eating may help control acne due to its effects on hormonal health.

How does acne develop?

Although nearly 90% of adolescents and teens have acne, it’s fairly common in adults as well. In fact, it’s estimated that in Western countries, around 50% of people in their 20s and 30s struggle with acne. On the other hand, it’s very rare in many cultures who follow traditional diets.

Acne develops as a result of complex interactions that take place within the skin. Sebaceous glands located in the skin’s outer layer are connected to hair follicles. These glands produce sebum, an oily substance that lubricates the hair and skin cells, which are constantly being shed and replaced.

acne

In the case of acne, this system is impaired. Elevated levels of androgens (male hormones) cause increased sebum production, leading to oily skin. In addition, skin cell production ramps up, and dead skin cells aren’t shed in the normal fashion. Instead, these cells combine with excess sebum, causing blocks or plugs. While this process is occurring, bacteria that feed on sebum also enter the picture.

Similar to the gut microbiome, skin maintains its own bacterial balance. One type of bacteria known as P. Acnes lives deep within the hair follicles and is normally present in the outer skin layer in small amounts. However, during acne, concentrations of P. Acnes increase dramatically, causing inflammation that leads to whiteheads, pustules and cysts.

The role of diet in acne

Up until the 1960s, based on early studies, diets high in sugar and refined carbs were believed to worsen acne. However, after experimental research failed to show a link between specific foods and acne, diet was no longer considered much of a contributor.

Today, the tide has turned yet again, in light of mounting research published within the past decade suggesting that carbohydrates may be the main dietary culprit in acne due to their negative effects on hormonal regulation.

Carbohydrates may be the main dietary culprit in acne due to their negative effects on hormonal regulation.

For instance, a 2007 controlled study in 43 young acne-prone men by Smith, et al, found that a low-glycemic-load diet led to a greater reduction in acne lesions than a higher-glycemic-load diet. What’s more, the low-glycemic-load group experienced a decrease in androgen and insulin levels, improvement in insulin sensitivity, and weight loss. By contrast, the other group had increases in weight, insulin levels, and insulin resistance.

It’s important to point out that this wasn’t really a low-carb diet; the low-glycemic-load carbs accounted for about 44% of the total dietary intake. Would there have been an even greater improvement with a low-carb or keto diet providing less than 15% of energy from carbs?

Low-carb and ketogenic diets for acne

Many people have reported that their skin has become much clearer as a result of following a low-carb or keto diet.

Although controlled research on carb restriction for acne has yet to be done, many people have reported that their skin has become much clearer as a result of following a low-carb or keto diet.

Moreover, there are logical reasons why minimizing carb intake would be helpful for acne sufferers.

A 2012 article by Italian researchers discusses the potential benefits of ketogenic diets for acne, including the following:

Reduction in insulin levels: Elevated insulin levels stimulate increased production of skin cells, sebum, and androgens – setting the stage for acne eruptions. Ketogenic diets decrease insulin levels, often dramatically.

Anti-inflammatory effects: Inflammation drives acne progression. Very-low-carb and ketogenic diets have been shown to reduce inflammation.

Decrease in IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1): Ketogenic diets decrease levels of IGF-1. Like insulin, IGF-1 increases sebum production and has been found to play a large role in acne.

In a compelling 2013 review on therapeutic uses of ketogenic diets for various conditions, Paoli, et al, state that although the emerging evidence for the use of keto diets in acne is promising, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to confirm these benefits.

Keto or low carb: Which is best for acne?

As there aren’t yet any studies on stricter low-carb or keto diets for acne at this time, it’s difficult to determine the degree of carb restriction needed to achieve the best results. Similar to losing weight or reducing blood sugar, the necessary carb reduction for potential acne control likely varies from person to person. It’s possible that stricter low-carb diets are more effective.

Tips for maximizing the benefits of a keto or low-carb diet for acne

Below are some additional dietary tweaks that may or may not be useful. They are based on preliminary evidence, small studies that need to be repeated to know for sure whether the suggested effects are real.

Consume fatty fish often: Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are anti-inflammatory and have been credited with possibly improving acne. The best sources include salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring and anchovies.

Eat low-carb vegetables: Leafy green and cruciferous vegetables may help promote hormonal regulation and improve skin health. Notable dermatology researcher Bodo Melnik recommends a Paleo diet rich in vegetables for acne management.

Avoid or limit dairy: Dairy has been shown to increase levels of insulin and IGF-1. Although skim milk seems to have the the strongest link to acne, cheese has also been implicated as a potential issue.

Drink green tea: Green tea is the best source of the antioxidant EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate). A 2016 study found that green tea extract appeared to significantly reduce acne lesions in adult women with moderate to severe acne.

Avoid or limit dark chocolate: Although earlier studies showed no difference in acne response when chocolate was compared to other sweets, a 2016 study found that even virtually sugar-free 99% dark chocolate might significantly worsen breakouts in acne-prone men. For this reason you may want to limit even dark chocolate intake, just to be safe.

Focus on fresh low-carb foods: Even if you don’t eat sugary and starchy foods, you may still be consuming ingredients that can cause skin issues. Bologna and other processed meats often contain sugar, corn syrup, fillers or other additives that raise insulin levels and potentially provoke inflammation. Stick to fresh food whenever possible, and read labels on processed meats and other packaged foods.

Give the diet some time: Paradoxically, some people report a worsening of acne shortly after starting a keto or low-carb diet. However, this appears to be short-lived and may be part of the keto-adapatation process. Overall, breakouts seem to improve with carb restriction long term in the vast majority of people.

Summary

While the evidence is still somewhat preliminary, there are many reasons to believe that low-carb and keto diets can improve acne. Feel free to read several stories below from people who have tried it, and to use our free guides linked below to get started.

By choosing nutrient-dense low-carb whole foods that minimize insulin levels and reduce inflammation, you may be giving yourself the best shot at clearer, healthier skin.

Trying a low-carb diet is safe, and besides the cost of buying real food, it’s also free. So why not try it out for a few weeks, and see what happens to your skin?

Have you already tried a low-carb or keto diet for acne? Feel free to leave a comment below, and share your experiences.

Acne Mechanica – What is it?

Have you ever noticed breakouts on your forehead after wearing a headband? Or how your backside becomes covered in pimples after a long day of hiking with a backpack?

Although you might blame these breakouts on sweat and bacteria, it’s more complicated than that. In both instances, your breakouts are likely caused by acne mechanica.

What is acne mechanica and how can you prevent it? Here are three of the things you ought to know:

  1. Acne mechanica is a form of acne that is caused by heat, pressure and friction on the skin.
  2. Men who wear sports equipment, tight clothing and backpacks are prone to acne mechanica.
  3. Acne mechanica can be treated and prevented with a few simple changes to your routine.

Acne Mechanica Explained

While we still don’t know the exact cause of acne, we do know that it occurs when excess oil, bacteria and dead skin cells clog the hair follicle. Acne mechanica refers specifically to acne that is caused by excess heat, pressure and rubbing of the skin.

Acne mechanica can be caused by backpacks, chin straps from helmets, shoulder pads and tight-fitting clothing. These items can rub repeatedly against the skin, creating friction and heat.

This friction and heat open up your pores, making them more likely to become clogged with bacteria and dead skin cells. Blocked hair follicles can then become inflamed, resulting in red, angry pimples at the site of the friction.

Who Is Affected by Acne Mechanica?

Acne mechanica is more likely to affect acne-prone individuals, athletes and soldiers. Men may be affected by acne mechanica more than women, given our biological differences.

For example, men produce more oil and have bigger pores than women do, which makes men prone to clogged pores and breakouts caused by friction and heat.

Men also produce more sweat per gland (see claim: “We conclude that physical training enhances…”) than women do. While sweat does not directly cause acne, it can lead to an increased buildup of bacteria and result in blocked pores.

Teenagers and young adults who suffer from hormonal acne are also likely to experience acne mechanica. This is often due to their higher sebum production caused by hormone fluctuations, as well as wearing backpacks that cause friction and heat.

Teenagers and young adults who suffer from hormonal acne are also likely to experience acne mechanica. This is often due to their higher sebum production caused by hormone fluctuations, as well as wearing backpacks that cause friction and heat.

How to Treat Acne Mechanica

Like any form of acne, there is no cure for acne mechanica. However, there are ways to reduce your chances of breakouts caused by heat and friction.

  • Wear Loose-Fitting Clothing. As much as you want to show off your muscles with a tight-fitting shirt, this may be causing you to break out in acne. Wear clothing that gives your skin room to breathe instead.
  • Use Products with Salicylic Acid. This powerful ingredient is an acne-fighting machine. Not only is Salicylic Acid gentle on the skin, it’s also an excellent chemical exfoliant which can penetrate deep into the pores of a man’s skin to eliminate bacteria-causing acne. At Elan Medical Skin Clinic we recommend our DermaActive Cleanser and DermaBalance Lotion as they contain a combination of ingredients, including Salicylic Acid, that are clinically proven to help with acne.
  • Choose breathable fabrics. The combination of sweat and certain fabrics can be a nightmare for your skin. Avoid fabrics such as polyester and rayon (which can trap heat and sweat in your skin) and choose breathable fabrics such as cotton instead.

Alright, what if you’ve followed the tips above and you still get acne mechanica? No fear, gentlemen—there are other ways to help.

A powerful acne treatment system for men can step up your skincare game and eliminate stubborn blemishes. Because men have different skin than women do, they need an acne treatment system formulated specifically for their skin.

Elan Medical DermaActives use cutting-edge ingredients such as Salicylic Acid and Azelaic Acid to penetrate and heal the skin. We’ve also made our acne system for men super simple because we know that guys want skin care to be easy.

Keep Acne Mechanica at Bay with a Regular Skin Care Regimen

Not wearing backpacks and helmets simply isn’t a practical solution to treating acne mechanica. If you’re struggling with breakouts caused by heat, pressure and friction, the best treatment is preventing acne in the first place.

A daily skin care regime can help reduce acne mechanica and even eliminate it entirely. By keeping your skin clean and moisturized daily, you’re well on your way to achieving amazing-looking skin.

Sometimes over the counter products are simply just not enough and you need to see a dermatologist. Elan Medical Skin Clinic is a registered medical skin clinic.

I have acne! Is it okay to wear makeup?

Yes, you can wear makeup, but you’ll want to choose it carefully. Some cosmetics can cause acne. When this happens, you develop a type of acne called acne cosmetica. Even women who would not otherwise have acne can develop acne cosmetica from wearing makeup.

How to figure out if makeup could be causing your acne

If you have acne cosmetica, you’ll likely have many tiny bumps on your face. These bumps usually appear on the cheeks, chin, or forehead. Many women develop whiteheads that rise above their skin slightly. You may also notice some pimples.

If you have tiny breakouts around your lips, your lipstick or lip balm could be the culprit.

Acne cosmetica can take time to appear. It can take anywhere from a few days to 6 months for blemishes to appear.

This delay can make it difficult to see a connection between acne and the makeup causing it.  As you see new blemishes, you may treat the acne and then cover it with acne-causing makeup. Continuing to use the makeup leads to a never-ending cycle of breakouts.

This never-ending cycle can feel frustrating. Many women start to believe that nothing will clear their acne. 

How to clear acne cosmetica

Even when makeup causes your acne, you can still wear makeup and see clearer skin. You’ll have to use different makeup though.

Need to use acne medication? Want to wear makeup? Apply the acne medication first.

Here’s what dermatologists recommend to see clearer skin:

  1. Choose your makeup carefully. You’ll want to immediately stop using all of the makeup that’s causing your breakouts. Of course, it can be hard to tell what’s causing your acne.
  2. Oil-free
  3. Won’t clog pores
  4. Non-comedogenic
  5. Wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser — and after you finish any activity that makes you sweat.Dermatologists recommend that you wash your face when you wake up and before you go to bed.

    Before using your cleanser, look for the words “oil-free”, “won’t clog pores,” or “non-comedogenic” on the packaging. If you don’t see any of these terms, look for a cleanser that contains one of these descriptions. 
  6. Use your fingertips to gently wash and rinse your face. You want to gently apply your cleanser with your fingertips and gently rinse it off with lukewarm water. Don’t scrub — even to remove makeup. 

    If you find that you still have makeup on your skin after washing your face, gently remove it with an oil-free makeup remover.

    After using a makeup remover, rinse it off.
  7. Apply makeup gently. Your touch should be feather light. You want to avoid irritating your skin. Makeup brushes can help you apply everything gently.
  8. Clean your makeup brushes every week and make sure you’re the only one who uses them. While acne isn’t contagious, acne-causing bacteria, dead skin cells, and oil from other people’s skin can stick to your makeup, makeup brushes, and applicators. When you use shared makeup and tools, those acne-causing culprits can spread to your skin, leading to new breakouts.

    When you share makeup, brushes, or applicators, you can also get contagious diseases, such as pink eye or cold sores.
  9. Treat your acne. Acne cosmetica will often clear when you stop using the makeup and hair and skin care products that clog your pores.

    If anything else is causing your acne, however, you’ll still see acne. That’s why dermatologists recommend that you treat your acne with products that contain one or more of the following ingredients:
  • Azelaic Acid (fights acne-causing bacteria and reduces pigmentation from acne spots)
  • Salicylic acid (helps unclog pores)
  • Bio-sulphur (helps unclog pores)
Our non-prescription products contain Azelaic Acid, Salicylic Acid and Bio Sulphur

You can buy these acne treatments without a prescription from our website: DermaActive Acne Programme

It can take 4 to 8 weeks to see some improvement.

When to seek a dermatologist’s help

Acne cosmetica tends to clear once you stop using what’s causing it. Finding the cause, however, can be difficult. So many products can lead to acne cosmetica, including foundation, blush, and concealer. Some hair and skin care products can also cause it.

To complicate matters, more than acne cosmetica could be causing your acne.

A dermatologist can help you sort it out, so you can see clearer skin.

Why visit Elan Medical Skin Clinic?

With many years’ experience in skin conditions, Sue Ibrahim, our nurse consultant in dermatology, understands the emotional distress caused by acne and acne scars. Better still, as a skin expert, she has a range of treatments at her fingertips that will help.

Fantastic advances in modern skin treatments mean that no-one has to feel self conscious about acne or the resulting scars. At Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Essex we have a wide variety of treatment options to help control acne and prevent scarring. Evidence suggests that a combination of treatments can produce a better outcome and help keep acne under control. 

Click here to read what our patients are currently saying about Elan Medical Skin Clinic

You may wish to read some of our recent blogs on Roaccutane and Sprinonoctone for the treatment of acne.

How do I book an appointment?

You can either call Elan Medical Skin Clinic on 01268 770660 between 9.30am and 5pm Monday to Saturday or you can click here to book online and one of our reception team will contact you by phone or email, whichever you prefer. You will be asked to pay your initial consultation fee by credit or debit card on confirming your appointment.

10 skin care habits that can worsen acne

While it’s important to wash your face, washing too many times a day can irritate your skin, causing new breakouts.

Are you faithfully treating your acne but still seeing new breakouts? Your skin care routine could be to blame. Here you’ll find 10 skin care habits that can worsen acne and dermatologists’ tips to help you change those habits.

  1. Try a new acne treatment every week or so. This approach can irritate your skin, which can cause breakouts.
  2. What to do instead: Give an acne treatment time to work. You want to use a product for 6 to 8 weeks. It takes that long to see some improvement. If you don’t see any improvement by then, you can try another product. Complete clearing generally takes 3 to 4 months.
  3. Apply acne medication only to your blemishes. It makes sense to treat what you see, but this approach fails to prevent new breakouts.
  4. What to do instead: To prevent new blemishes, spread a thin layer of the acne medication evenly over your acne-prone skin. For example, if you tend to breakout on your forehead, nose, and chin, you’d want to apply the acne treatment evenly on all of these areas of your face.
  5. Use makeup, skin care products, and hair care products that can cause acne. Some makeup along with many skin and hair care products contain oil or other ingredients that can cause acne breakouts. If you continue to use them, you may continue to see blemishes.
  6. What to do instead: Use only makeup, sunscreen, skin and hair care products that are labeled “non-comedogenic” or “won’t clog pores.” These products don’t cause breakouts in most people. Check out the Elan Medical DermaActive skin care range for acne
  7. Share makeup, makeup brushes, or makeup applicators. Even if you use only non-comedogenic products, sharing makeup can lead to blemishes.
  8. Acne isn’t contagious, but when you share makeup, makeup brushes, or applicators, the acne-causing bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells on other people’s skin can wind up in your makeup. When you use that makeup, you can transfer their bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells to your skin. These can clog your pores, leading to breakouts.
  9. What to do instead: Make sure you’re the only person who uses your makeup, makeup brushes, and makeup applicators.
  10. Sleep in your makeup. Even non-comedogenic makeup can cause acne if you sleep in it. 
  11. What to do instead: Remove your makeup before you go to bed. No exceptions. If you’re too tired to wash your face, use a makeup remover towelette. Just make sure it’s a non-comedogenic towelette.
  12. Wash your face throughout the day. Washing your face several times a day can further irritate your skin, leading to more breakouts.
  13. What to do instead: Wash your face twice a day — when you wake up and before you go to bed. You’ll also want to wash your face when you finish an activity that makes you sweat.
  14. Dry out your skin. Skin with acne is oily, so it can be tempting to apply astringent and acne treatments until your face feels dry. Don’t. Dry skin is irritated skin. Anytime you irritate your skin, you risk getting more acne.
  15. What to do instead: Use acne treatments as directed. If your skin feels dry, apply a moisturizer made for acne-prone skin. You’ll want to apply the moisturizer twice a day, after washing your face.
  16. You also want to avoid using astringents, rubbing alcohol, and anything else that can dry out your skin.
  17. Scrub your skin clean. To get rid of acne, you may be tempted to scrub your skin clean. Don’t. Scrubbing can irritate your skin, causing acne to flare.
  18. What to do instead: Be gentle when washing your face and other skin with acne. You want to use a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser. Apply the cleanser lightly with your fingertips, using a circular motion. Gently rinse it off with warm water, using only your fingers. Then pat your skin dry with a clean towel.
  19. Rub sweat from your skin during a workout. Using a towel to roughly rub away sweat can irritate your skin, which can cause breakouts.
  20. What to do instead: When working out, use a clean towel to gently pat sweat from your skin.
  21. Pop or squeeze breakouts. When you pop or squeeze acne, you’re likely to push some of what’s inside (e.g., pus, dead skin cells, or bacteria) deeper into your skin. When this happens, you increase inflammation. This can lead to more-noticeable acne and sometimes scarring and pain.
  22. What to do instead: Resist the temptation to pop or squeeze acne. You want to treat your acne with acne medication. If you have deep or painful acne, seeing a dermatologist is necessary to help clear your acne.

When to see a dermatologist

Many people can control their acne by following these skin care tips and using acne treatment that they can buy without a prescription. If you continue to see acne after giving these tips a chance to work, a dermatologist can help. Some people need prescription-strength acne treatment.

At Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh, Essex we are a registered medical clinic. Our Dermatology Nurse Consultant is able to prescribe prescription only medication for the treatment of ace.

With the right help, virtually everyone who has acne can see clearer skin.