Not messing about with your pimples is important if you do not want to be left with scars, says dermatology specialist Eileen Borg. She tells Stephanie Fsadni that it is also imperative to follow the recommended treatment, even if it takes time to see the desired result.

If you cannot resist squeezing a pimple or popping a blackhead, think again. It’s the worst thing you can do unless you want to be left with scars.

This is the first thing dermatology specialist Eileen Borg tells her patients. She chides the practice.

“Keep your hands off the face and do not squeeze pimples, as the skin will take longer to clear and the risk of getting scars is increased.”

Acne often shows up at the age of 12 in 85 per cent of cases and may last until the age of 25. However, in 15 per cent of adults, especially women, acne may start after the age of 20 and continue until their 30s and 40s.

The reason why some teenagers get more acne than others seems to be due to genetic tendencies, says Borg. In some teenage girls, however, the cause of acne may be hormonal imbalance.

The dermatologist adds that until recently, it was thought that the effect of diet and, especially fatty goods, such as chocolate, on acne, were old wives’ tale, but recent studies have shown that refined carbohydrates may very well worsen the condition.

Almost every teenager gets the odd pustule, black or white comedones (blackheads or whiteheads) in the early years. However, those who are prone to develop more severe acne due to an increase in sebum production (oily skin) favour increased proliferation of the bacterium which causes acne, Propionibacterium acnes.

“Thus a teenager who has acne may have any of the following blemishes: blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules which many people call pimples, cysts and nodules,” explains Borg.

It is important to be patient and persist with a recommended treatment, even if there is no immediate effect

Acne appears mostly on the face but may present itself on the back, chest, neck, shoulders and upper arms and buttocks, in places where there are increased number of sebaceous glands.

She advises to wash the face and other parts affected at least twice daily to remove excess oil and perspiration. Moisturiser is also an important part of the daily routine.A mattifying moisturising cream is usually indicated when the skin on the face becomes slightly dry after using specific washes for acne to decrease the sebum on the face, mainly benzoyl peroxide or retinol creams for treatment of blackheads. These types of moisturising creams would be oil-free and more water based.

If acne is from mild to moderate, usually topical treatment, such as topical antibiotics and topical retinoids, may help. But if acne is severe or no improvement is seen when using topical treatment, one has to resort to systemic treatment which includes antibiotic tablets, isotretinoin tablets and, in women, the combined oral contraceptive pill.

Borg says that some natural remedies, usually used topically, may be helpful in reducing acne inflammation and breakouts.

Some frequently used agents, including benzoyl peroxide, alpha hydroxyl acid and azelaic acid, are usually prescribed by dermatologists as they may cause irritation and have to be monitored. Other products, which are given by beauty therapists, include tea tree oil, aloe vera and green tea extracts.

If scars persist, there is a good number of options and sometimes dermatologists may recommend more than one treatment.

Possible solutions include: resurfacing with laser therapy, chemical peeling, dermabrasian or microdermabrasion; fillers; collagen-induction therapy, aka needling; skin tightening; and acne scar surgery.

However, Borg points out that with many forms of treatment available nowadays, no teenager should have residual acne scars. It is thus important to follow the treatment prescribed by the dermatologist and not to expect results overnight.

“Waiting for acne to clear on its own may take years and cause permanent scars, and lead to low self-esteem and depression. Many of the treatments can take two or three months before they start to work.

“It is important to be patient and persist with a recommended treatment, even if there is no immediate effect.”