Understanding Acne

Acne is more than just breakouts; it’s a complex condition influenced by hormones, genetics, lifestyle, and the skin’s healing process. Gone are the days when acne was solely linked to poor hygiene or oily skin. We now know that acne is primarily an inflammatory disorder that affects the skin in multiple ways.

At Skin Health Studio, my focus is not only on clearing breakouts but also on identifying and addressing the root cause of the condition, restoring long-term skin balance, and refining any scarring left behind.

The Triggers

Acne can affect people at various stages of life and is triggered by many different factors. While teenage acne is typically hormonally driven, acne is no longer considered just a teenage problem. Many adults now experience persistent acne, often influenced by factors such as stress, lifestyle, and hormonal changes associated with perimenopause and menopause.

Hormonal Acne

Hormonal fluctuations—especially androgens like testosterone—trigger excess oil production, leading to deep, painful cystic breakouts around the jawline, chin, and lower cheeks. These breakouts are often cyclical, flaring up predictably, such as during menstruation.
Hormonal acne in teenagers is typically accompanied by excess oil production, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. However, hormonal acne in adult women—particularly during perimenopause and menopause—often appears on drier, dehydrated skin due to hormonal shifts and the aging process.

💡 Insights:

Antibiotics don’t address the root cause of hormonal acne. They can provide temporary relief by reducing inflammation and controlling bacteria caused by hormonal fluctuations. However, once antibiotics are stopped, the acne often rebounds, as the underlying hormonal imbalance remains. For more lasting results, it’s crucial to focus on regulating oil production and inflammation sustainably, rather than relying on antibiotics alone.

Contact Acne

Acne can also be caused by physical contact and habits like touching your face, holding your phone to your cheek, or even kisses from your pet dog. This type of acne is typically the result of bacteria transfer, leading to small, persistent breakouts.

Familial & Persistent Acne

Some people are genetically predisposed to acne, which may persist well into adulthood. This is categorised as familial acne, and it doesn’t simply go away with age. It requires ongoing treatment to manage effectively, with the right professional treatments and at-home care. This type of acne is often more stubborn, cystic, and long-lasting. It can also affect areas like the back (bacne), which is more difficult to treat due to thicker skin and higher oil production.

💡 Insights:

Familial acne and male-pattern-baldness are both influenced by androgens (male hormones like testosterone). These hormones increase sebum production, contributing to acne, while also triggering hair follicle miniaturisation, leading to hair thinning and bald spots typical of male pattern baldness. Both conditions often run in families, with genetic factors making individuals more sensitive to androgens. As a result, males with a family history of acne may also be more likely to experience hair loss, linking the two conditions through hormonal and genetic factors.

The Skin Health Studio Approach: A Full-Spectrum Acne Solution

Since acne isn’t just about clearing breakouts, my approach at Skin Health Studio combines advanced technologies with clinical-grade actives to address acne at every level. Each treatment integrates multiple modalities and active topicals to target inflammation, bacteria, oil production, and post-acne scarring simultaneously.
Because lifestyle and daily habits play a significant role in acne, I guide my clients on how to support their skin between treatments. By addressing acne from all angles—inside and outside the treatment room—I help clients achieve clear, resilient skin that lasts.