BACK ACNE … What it is, how it is caused, and how best to treat it! Dr Mathobela, a leading specialist dermatologist and OXY’s resident skincare expert helps to shed some light on back acne and offers some recommendations and suggestions on what to avoid and how best to treat it. Back acne, commonly referred to as ‘bacne’, forms part of what is known as truncal acne (i.e. acne affecting [...]

DEALING WITH MASKNE … What it is and how best to treat it The world over, acne is one of the most common reasons for a visit to the dermatologist’s office. However, since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic, dermatologists have seen a significant increase in the number of patients seeking their guidance on acne related matters, often in patients who have never suffered from acne before. There has [...]

COMMON, AND SOMETIMES UNEXPECTED, CAUSES OF ACNE The obvious … and the not so obvious … Many of our previous articles have discussed the common causes of acne that largely includes androgen-induced increased sebum production, altered follicular keratinization, inflammation and proliferation of the bacteria P.acnes in a genetically predisposed individual. However, could there be other contributing factors potentially influencing the occurrence, duration and severity of acne? Dr Mathobela, a leading [...]

STRESS AND ACNE … IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 Most of us are very familiar with the scourge of acne. Affecting more than 85% of the adolescent population, its greatest outbreak occurs on the face, chest and back due to those areas containing the highest number of sebaceous glands. However, stress is also known to exacerbate this condition. With stress currently in no short supply due to the global pandemic [...]

ACNE AND CHILDREN: WHAT TO EXPECT AND HOW TO TREAT Whilst more prevalent in teenagers and young adults, acne vulgaris (more commonly known as acne) can affect neonates (new-born to four weeks), infants and young children. However, unlike in adolescence, acne in these childhood groups can mimic other skin eruptions. It is therefore important for children to receive a medical evaluation before the commencement of any treatment. Paediatric acne is [...]

With so much information available around the benefits and ‘how to’ of healthy skincare for women, it is equally important to keep our menfolk up to date on exactly how best to take optimum care. Bumps and rashes are a long time and seemingly regular consequence of many men’s daily shaving routine. Dr Mathobela, a leading specialist dermatologist and OXY’s resident skincare expert, shares a few suggestions and insights around [...]

What to know … and what to avoid both in and outdoors … It’s almost that time of year again … longer days, warmer nights and lazy days outdoors … But before you head off for the holidays, take some time to think about how best to protect your skin during some of the hottest months of the year. From regulating body temperature through to maintaining overall hydration and serving [...]

What to know … and what to avoid … The benefits of a good healthy ‘sweat’ during a fabulous workout can never be underestimated. It increases blood flow to the skin, delivering more oxygen and nutrients that help nourish the skin whilst also helping to rid skin cells of free radicals and dirt. Exercise has also long been heralded as a great stress release, resulting in less stress hormones. This [...]

The issue about the role food plays in acne and problem skin is still somehow contentious as there are not many studies done on this subject.  However, from the few studies that were done, certain foods have shown the tendency to aggravate acne.  ‘This is confirmed from personal experience of patients I see with acne and is in line with what the studies have shown. Although having said this, this [...]

Tea Tree Oil is an essential oil that is obtained by steam distillation of the leaves and terminal branches of a small tree or tall shrub, Melaleuca alternifolia. Endemic to Australia, it is part of the myrtle family where it grows along streams and swampy flats in southeast Queensland, the north coast and New South Wales. Over years, it is demonstrated to be effective in a variety of skin infections [...]