Acne is often associated with teenagers, but it can also affect adults for various reasons. The NHS reports that about three per cent of adults over the age of 35 suffer from acne, with women being more prone to it than men.
To assist, Dr Scott Walter, known as @denverskindoc on TikTok, has shared a video on social media explaining how to quickly get rid of a painful spot.
In his video, he introduces Eve, one of their medical assistants, who has a persistent, painful acne bump on her face. He says: “This is Eve, one of our medical assistants. She came to me with this persistent, painful acne bump on the left side of her face. So, we’re going to help resolve it with an ILK injection. ILK stands for Intralesional Kenalog – and kenalog is a diluted steroid.”
Dr Walter begins by sterilising the skin with alcohol before injecting the ILK solution into the acne bump. He concludes: “That’s it. Usually, these resolve within a day or two. If done incorrectly, there can be unwanted side effects so see a dermatologist if you want this done.”
For those seeking a home remedy for their skin issues, Dr Walter recommends using benzoyl peroxide 2.5% overnight, which can be purchased from any local pharmacy. As per the NHS, hormonal changes can trigger adult acne flare-ups, particularly in women during their menstrual cycle or pregnancy.
Cosmetic products, medications, smoking, and certain foods have been identified as potential acne triggers. One person, reflecting on Dr Walter’s enlightening video, shared: “These shots saved my skin and confidence when my cystic acne was bad!”
nother pitched in, saying, “I get these every time I go to the derm with a micro – it’s amazing.” Meanwhile, a separate individual noted their own routine: “I use tea tree oil when I get home from work, followed by a generic dermapoint patch overnight, then panoxyl wash in.”
However, another voice cautioned: “This left me a very deep scar that I have now had for years. I’m so self-conscious about it.”
For those wrestling with acne, consult a doctor for professional advice and treatment options. Additional guidance is available on the NHS website.
As well as this, the National Health Service recommends following this advice to banish spots…
- Do not wash affected areas of skin more than twice a day. Frequent washing can irritate the skin and make symptoms worse.
- Wash the affected area with a mild soap or cleanser and lukewarm water. Very hot or cold water can make acne worse.
- Do not try to “clean out” blackheads or squeeze spots. This can make them worse and cause permanent scarring.
- Avoid make-up, skincare and suncare products that are oil-based (sometimes labelled “comedogenic”). Use water-based non-comedogenic products, as they’re less likely to block the pores in your skin.
- Completely remove make-up before going to bed.
- If dry skin is a problem, use a fragrance-free water-based emollient.
- Regular exercise cannot improve your acne, but it can boost your mood and improve your self-esteem. Shower as soon as possible once you finish exercising as sweat can irritate your acne.
- Wash your hair regularly and try to avoid letting your hair fall across your face.