5 ACNE TREATMENT GETS TOPICAL

Rates of adult acne have been gathering pace since the turn of the millennium, with research finding that up to 85% of women suffer at some point in their lives. The reasons are unclear, but some experts blame rising stress levels. Unfortunately, treatment options have hardly progressed over the past 40 years, with many women being prescribed the oral contraceptive pill, which contains oestrogen, to keep their skin under control, or topical antibiotics, which kill off bacteria, and sometimes isotretinoin (sold under the brand name Accutane), which works by reducing the amount of oil produced by the skin.

Now, a new topical, non-antibiotic cream has been approved for use in the US and is currently undergoing clinical trials in the UK. It should be approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) by... any day now. Called Winlevi (clascoterone cream 1%), it works by targeting the androgen receptors responsible for sebum production and inflammation. What sets it apart is its potential as a long-term treatment. ‘It has very little systemic absorption, which is where a product is absorbed by the whole body and not just the targeted organ,’ says Dr Shaaira Nasir, consultant dermatologist at Sk:n Clinics. ‘This means that there are low chances of side effects on other organs in the body that the drug isn’t meant to be targeting.’ Until it gets the go-ahead in the UK, if you’re concerned about acne, it’s best to seek advice from your GP, who may then refer you to a dermatologist. For milder cases, consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto recommends opting for an Acnecide face wash (containing active acne-fighting ingredient benzoyl peroxide), La Roche-posay Effaclar Gel Facial Wash or Medik8 Blemish Control Pads. Sound clear?