Acne treatment
Acne treatment, by a specialist dermatologist.
Acne is one of the most common reasons patients see a dermatologist — and one of the most under-treated. At Omnia Dermatology, Dr Claudia Moloabi treats acne at its cause: identifying your acne type, its triggers, and the evidence-based treatment most likely to clear your skin and prevent scarring.
Understanding acne
More than just breakouts.
Acne is a medical condition of the skin's oil glands and hair follicles — not a hygiene problem, and not something you simply have to outgrow. It happens when pores become blocked with oil and dead skin cells, allowing bacteria to multiply and inflammation to develop.
Left untreated, moderate and severe acne can cause permanent scarring and pigmentation marks, particularly in darker skin tones where post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is common. The emotional weight of acne is real, too: it affects confidence at school, at work and in photographs.
The good news is that virtually every case of acne can be significantly improved with the right medical treatment. The key word is right — what clears one person's skin can make another's worse, which is why a specialist diagnosis of your acne type comes first.
When should you see a dermatologist for acne?
- Over-the-counter products haven't worked after 8–12 weeks
- Your acne is painful, deep or cystic
- You are developing scars or dark marks
- Breakouts flare with your hormonal cycle
- Acne is affecting your confidence or mental health
Types of acne we treat
Which acne is yours?
Each type of acne has its own drivers — and its own most effective treatment.
01
Teen acne
Driven by hormonal changes of adolescence. Early specialist treatment clears skin faster and protects against lifelong scarring.
02
Adult acne
Acne that persists into — or first appears in — your twenties, thirties and beyond. Often needs a different strategy from teenage acne.
03
Hormonal acne
Breakouts along the jawline and chin that flare cyclically. Diagnosis may include looking for underlying hormonal drivers.
04
Acne scarring
Once active acne is controlled, scarring and post-inflammatory marks can be treated with evidence-based procedures and topical therapy.
Your treatment plan
How we treat acne at Omnia.
There is no single acne cure — there is the right combination for your skin, found methodically.
Diagnose your acne type
Comedonal, inflammatory, cystic, hormonal — or a combination. Your treatment depends on getting this right.
Identify your triggers
Hormones, medication, skincare habits, friction and genetics are all examined.
Build your treatment plan
Options may include prescription topicals, oral medication, hormonal therapy and in-practice procedures — chosen on evidence.
Protect against scarring
Controlling inflammation early is the single best protection. Existing scars and marks get their own plan.
Review and maintain
Acne treatment is adjusted over time. Follow-ups — in practice or by video — keep your skin on track.
Acne questions
Acne, answered.
Have a question that isn't covered here? Ask the practice directly.
How long does acne treatment take to work?
Most medical acne treatments need 6–12 weeks to show clear improvement, and results build from there. During your consultation you will get realistic timelines for your specific treatment plan, plus a follow-up schedule to track progress.
Can adult acne be cured?
Adult acne can almost always be controlled — often completely — with the right combination of treatments. Because adult skin and adult triggers differ from teenage acne, treatments that worked (or failed) in your teens are not a reliable guide. A specialist assessment will identify what your skin needs now.
Will my acne leave scars?
The deeper and more inflamed the acne, and the longer it goes untreated, the higher the risk of scarring. Early, effective treatment is the best protection. If you already have scarring or dark marks, these can be treated once the active acne is under control.
Is acne treatment safe for darker skin?
Yes — but it must be chosen carefully. Darker skin tones are more prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and some aggressive treatments can worsen it. Dr Moloabi treats all skin types and selects therapies that clear acne while protecting your skin tone.
Can acne be treated over a video consultation?
In many cases, yes. Acne is well-suited to teledermatology: it can usually be assessed visually, prescriptions can be arranged, and follow-up reviews work well by video. If anything about your skin needs an in-person examination, we will let you know.