Acne are lesions most commonly appering on the face , but also on chest or back. Acne can be difficult to treat and can cause significant emotional misery.

Acne may occur if the pores of the skin are blocked, trapping oil, dead skin and bacteria within the hair follicles. Sebaceous glands are attached to the hair follicles. The oil the sebaceous glands secrete is called sebum.  If the oil which normally travels up the hair follicle is blocked, the oil ( sebum ) will not be able to escape , but will form a blackhead. This oil will oxidise and cause inflammation with an influx of white blood cells. At the same time our bacteria which is normally found on the skin called propionibacterium acnes, will try and break down the trapped oil within the hair follicle. This will be seen as further reddening and inflammation.

Most pimples won’t leave lasting scars , however if the dermis is damaged then a permanent scar may form.

Acne is very much influenced by hormones particularlu when they become unbalanced. The times that imbalance is common is during puberty, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause or any stressful event. The main hormones are the androgenic hormones like testosterone and DHEA. These hormones typically cause excessive oil surplus which clog the hair follicles.   

Here at custom made medicines, we make a variety of acne treatments if other preparations on the market have been ineffective.

Rebalancing the hormones may be the most appropriate counteracting treatment . However in some most cases this approach may be difficult.

We have a variety of topical treatments that our laboratory produces which have been very effective in most people with stubborn acne.

Azelaic acid in high dose reduces the growth of the keratin surface skin cells that block the pores. By unblocking the pores the sebum can escape and as a result less blackheads and spots are formed. This also kills the bacteria associated with the acne. By reducing the bacterial count less waste products that irritate the sebaceous glands are formed. With the reduction in sebum , which is a food source , this will further inhibit the growth. This ingredient is applied twice a day, but usually begun with once a day to allow the skin to adjust.

Zinc sulphate is used as an astringent and helps with healing of scars.

Benzoic acid is an added antibacterial and antifungal agent.

Niacinamide works like an antibiotic , but is also an anti inflammatory. It also reduces the amount of sebum present in the skin.