Spironolactone is a medication that has been around since the 1950s. It functions as a diuretic medication (promotes water loss) and is licensed in the UK for the treatment of blood pressure and heart failure.

So what does this have to do with acne?

As with many medications, they often come onto the market for a specific medical problem and then we realise the drug itself has a number of other actions. In otherwise fit, young healthy women, without a background of kidney or heart problems, it is also an extremely effective drug for adult acne.

Acne can be distressing if you suffer from PCOS

How does Spironolactone work for acne?

Acne is caused by an interplay between hormones and genetics. Hormones known as androgens drive oil production in the skin which is part of the process in acne development. Spironolactone is an ‘anti-androgen’ drug and reduces the level of androgen hormones in the skin. The knock-on effect is reduced activity of the oil glands. Scientific studies have shown that it is able to reduce oil production at starting doses of 50-100mg daily.

Who is Spironolactone useful for?

Spironolactone is often a good treatment for women with PCOS

At Elan Medical Skin Clinic we often use Spironolactone in the following circumstances:

1. Post-teenage women with acne
2. Acne that flares up with menstruation
3. Women with acne that aren’t suitable for Roaccutane or do not wish to take it
4. Women with a condition called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Who should not take Spironolactone?

It is not a suitable treatment for male patients with acne, as it is not a good idea to reduce androgen hormones in men. It is also not suitable for those with underlying heart or kidney problems. It should also not be taken if you are trying to conceive, are pregnant or breastfeeding.

What happens next?

If you would like to discuss this or any other treatment for acne, we provide a responsive service that aims to set your mind at ease and ensure you are fully informed before booking your dermatology consultation.

How do I book an appointment?

You can either call Elan Medical Skin Clinic on 01268 770660 between 9.30am and 5pm Monday to Saturday or you can click here to fill in a contact form and one of our reception team will contact you by phone or email, whichever you prefer. You will be asked to pay your initial consultation fee by credit or debit card on confirming your appointment.

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Suffering with acne? Call Sue Ibrahim at Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Essex for help and advice.

Despite being one of the most widespread skin conditions affecting teenagers AND adult men and women, acne is one of the most poorly understood. There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding acne and its causes. In this month’s blog, our skin expert and nurse consultant in dermatology, Sue Ibrahim, helps separate fact from fiction.

Myth: A poor diet high in fat and dairy causes acne

Scientific research has not found any foods that directly cause acne, so far. However, eating a healthy, balanced diet is essential for your overall health and wellbeing.

Myth: Acne is caused by having dirty skin and poor hygiene

NHS scientists suggest that most of the biological reactions that trigger acne occur beneath the skin, not on the surface, so the cleanliness of your skin has no effect on your acne. And Sue says that washing your face more than twice a day could actually aggravate your skin.

Myth: Squeezing spots gets rid of acne

Although tempting, squeezing spots, blackheads or whiteheads can actually make your acne symptoms worse – and may leave you with scarring. Here are some of the acne treatments that we may recommend at Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh Essex:

1. Prescription medications to reduce the outbreak of spots
2. Elan Medical Skin Systems for acne
3. LED Phototherapy to reduce facial redness
4. Elan Medical Skin Peels for superficial blemishes and scars
5. Intralesional Cyst Injections
6. Fractional Skin Resurfacing for deep acne scars
7. Surgical scar revision

Myth: Acne is infectious

This is a particularly nasty and hurtful myth that’s totally incorrect. You cannot pass acne to other people or catch it from close contact with someone with acne. The psychological effects of acne are often underestimated by GPs and friends and those affected can suffer from reduced self-esteem and confidence issues.

What causes acne?

The British Association of Dermatologists has a very helpful leaflet about acne, which explains:

The sebaceous (oil-producing) glands of people who get acne are particularly sensitive to normal blood levels of certain hormones, which are present in both men and women. These cause the glands to produce an excess of oil. At the same time, the dead skin cells lining the pores are not shed properly and clog up the follicles. These two effects result in a build up of oil, producing blackheads (where a darkened plug of oil and dead skin is visible) and whiteheads.

The acne bacterium (known as Propionibacterium acnes) lives on everyone’s skin, usually causing no problems, but in those prone to acne, the build-up of oil creates an ideal environment in which these bacteria can multiply. This triggers inflammation and the formation of red or pus-filled spots.

Click here to read the full leaflet

Testosterone

Teenage acne is thought to be triggered by increased levels of testosterone, which occurs during puberty. The hormone plays an important role in stimulating the growth and development of the penis and testicles in boys, and maintaining muscle and bone strength in girls.

The sebaceous glands are particularly sensitive to hormones. It’s thought that increased levels of testosterone cause the glands to produce much more sebum than the skin needs.

We can help

If you suffer from acne, get advice early – please don’t suffer in silence. If you would like to ask our medical director & nurse consultant, Sue Ibrahim a question, by all means do. We provide a responsive service that aims to set your mind at ease and ensure you are fully informed before booking your consultation. At Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Essex, all new patients receive a thorough consultation and medical assessment prior to treatment.

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Essex skin expert from Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh debunks the myths not based on scientific evidence

Before you reach for yet another glass of water, Essex skin expert, Sue Ibrahim would like to shed some light on some of the skin fads out there.

At Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh we do not offer new technology or recommend certain skin care regimes until there is a wealth of clinical evidence to show they are safe and the results are clinically proven. Here are some myths that have no evidence base behind the advice.

Skin fad no.1 – drink 2 litres of water a day

It is claimed that drinking two litres of water a day is the amount we should drink for optimal health. This much water is said to benefit us in many ways from flushing away harmful toxins from our bodies, reducing lines and wrinkles, clearing acne, to helping us lose weight and fighting infections, among others.

But according to American paediatrician Aaron E. Caroll from Indiana University, there’s absolutely no science to back up the idea that we should be drinking eight glasses of water a day, and there never was.

In the New York Times in 2015 he wrote: “Contrary to many stories you may hear, there’s no real scientific proof that, for otherwise healthy people, drinking extra water has any health benefits.

“For instance, reviews have failed to find that there’s any evidence that drinking more water keeps skin hydrated and makes it look healthier or wrinkle free.”

The myth is widely believed to have started way back in 1945 in a food and nutrition board recommendation that was misquoted. News reports at the time – and since – seem to have left out the vital part that explains that the prepared foods we eat are likely to include most of the water we require.

Just think of all the foods we consume that include fluid, from fruit and veg, to soups and juices. And that leads us to the next myth…

The fluid we drink must be water

Nope, also not true. In fact there is loads of evidence to suggest that tea, coffee, fruit juice, alcohol, soup, stews all add beneficial fluids to our bodies. Yes, you did read that correctly – that includes tea, coffee and alcohol (in moderation).

We had previously been told that drinking caffeinated drinks and alcohol would dehydrate us and were diuretic. This means that they cause our bodies to expel more liquid than we have taken on. Science has debunked that myth time and again but it is firmly rooted in our beliefs.

If we feel thirsty it’s too late

In fact, a 2002 review by physician Heinz Valtin from Dartmouth University in the US found that we feel thirsty exactly when we are supposed to. So, if you feel thirsty listen to your body and drink something. And please remember that if you are exercising or battling an illness, you may very well need to drink more than usual in order to alleviate your thirst.

Contact us

For skin care advice that is firmly back by scientific evidence, contact Elan Medical Skin Clinic.

Coming soon – Read our next blog for more myth debunking…

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Worry not, for most you will find that these skin issues resolve themselves following the birth of your baby.  Here are some of the most common skin problems women encounter during pregnancy—and what you can do about them.

Pregnancy should be a time of excitement

Skin Sensitivity

Go easier on your skin now that you’re pregnant. You might get red more easily if you use a facial scrub, your normal facial might verge on painful, and the perfumed lotion you wear might irritate your skin (and make you nauseated, but that’s a different story). That’s why many mums-to-be switch to unscented products and start choosing products that do not contain harsh chemicals, preservatives and fragrances. “You certainly don’t want anything causing micro-tears on your skin,” says Sue Ibrahim, our dermatology nurse consultant.  “The more cuts and wounds on your skin, the easier it is for chemicals to be absorbed into your bloodstream. Ingredients to stay away from in soaps and body washes include sodium laureth sulphate, parabens and fragrance.” These ingredients aren’t just potential irritants—some say they could pose health risks to baby. We say believe it, because (not surprisingly) a lot of products aren’t tested directly on pregnant women. If you are using prescription topicals on your face you need to tell your doctor that you are pregnant as most prescription creams are not licensed for use during pregnancy either. At Elan Medical Skin Clinic we advise our patients to use our Elan Medical DermaCalm range during pregnancy, because they are free from fragrances and preservatives. They also contain mild anti-inflammatory ingredients that can soothe irritated skin.

Acne breakouts during pregnancy

During pregnancy your hormones are all over the place, and that might mean pimples like you had when you were a teenager. The cruel joke, of course, is that many of the treatments that are prescribed for acne cannot be used during pregnancy. Prescription medications like Tetracyclines, Isotretinoin (Roacutane(R)) and the anti-androgen hormone therapies are definite no-nos. And the jury’s out on over-the-counter creams, since they haven’t been tested specifically on pregnant women (yup, you find that a lot with products). Ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can be absorbed into the bloodstream, so they’re not worth the risk either. “You can safely use lactic acid and biosulfur to treat acne,” Sue Ibrahim says. Don’t touch, pick or squeeze pimples— just wash with a mild cleanser twice a day. “A lot of women find Acne Phototherapy beneficial during pregnancy and it is perfectly safe for both you and the baby.

Sun Sensitivity

Sorry, mums-to-be, but “pregnancy glow” does not refer to a bronzed, sun-kissed complexion. You should actually try to stay out of the sun as much as you can while you’re pregnant. That’s because your surging hormones make you susceptible to dark patches on your skin—known as melasma, or the ‘mask of pregnancy’, which is triggered by sun exposure. So pull out the big floppy hat, find a beach umbrella and be diligent about wearing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day. If you are unlucky and do get Melasma during pregnancy it may resolve on its own following the birth of your baby, if not then you will need the help of a dermatologist I’m afraid.

Stretch marks

Now you’ve got another big skin concern: stretch marks. Anytime someone’s body grows quickly, they’re at risk for stretch marks, so the fact that baby is growing exponentially in there puts you right in the high-risk zone. Of course, not every mum-to-be gets stretch marks. “For most people, whether or not they get stretch marks has to do with genetic predisposition,” says Sue Ibrahim. But you can do your best to head them off by gently exfoliating and thoroughly moisturising your belly, boobs, stomach, hips and thighs as much as you can. As for what moisturizer to use, it’s hard to make a recommendation. “A lot of products make claims,” Sue Ibrahim says. “Some may help but aren’t really proven to prevent stretch marks.” If you are left with troublesome stretch marks following the birth of you baby, it is worth looking into the skin tightening treatments we offer at Elan Medical Skin Clinic.

Skin rashes during pregnancy

If you’ve got red, itchy skin, it’s important not to ignore it. Itchy feet and hands could be a sign of cholestasis of pregnancy, a scary complication that can cause liver problems for baby. Your doctor can do a simple blood test to make sure that’s not causing your rash. Another common pregnancy rash is PUPPP (pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy), which often starts in the abdomen and spreads from there. PUPPP is actually harmless to baby, but it will be completely aggravating for you. Book in for a Dermatology Consultation if you are concerned.

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Fit your own oxygen mask first in 2018. If you have a skin condition that is causing you distress, talk to Sue from Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh, Essex.

In a mid-air emergency, we are always told to fit our own oxygen mask first. This is to ensure we are able to help our loved ones in a calm, considerate and efficient manner – whilst being able to breathe ourselves!

It may sound selfish but it is absolutely essential – and not just in a life or death situation. If our own wellbeing isn’t being cared for, our ability to give our love to others is diminished, says nurse consultant in dermatology, Sue Ibrahim.

If we are dealing with a skin condition on top of all of life’s other stresses and strains, chances are the skin condition will worsen if it is ignored or put to the bottom of our list of things to sort. Does this sound familiar?

The health of our skin can be a good indicator of our current mental state and wellbeing because our skin very often reacts to stress. And anyone with skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, excessive sweating and psoriasis will tell you that their symptoms are exacerbated at these times.

If you have a skin condition that is causing you distress, talk to Sue from Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh, Essex.

If you would like to leave Sue a message, by all means do. We provide a responsive service that aims to set your mind at ease and ensure you are fully informed before booking your consultation. At Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Essex, all new patients receive a thorough consultation and medical assessment prior to treatment.

Finding Elan in Essex

Our Essex clinic is situated in Rayleigh, a lovely a market town about 32 miles east of central London, located between Chelmsford, Hockley, Canvey, Rochford and Southend. Elan Medical Skin Clinic can be found on the High Street and if you’re looking for parking, the nearest car parks are in Bellingham Lane, the Market car park in Hockley Road, Websters Way and Castle Road.

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Elan Medical Skin Clinic’s skin expert Sue Ibrahim.

Our skin is the largest organ of our body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. It protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate our body temperature and permits the sensations of touch, heat and cold.

Twenty square feet is a lot of area for things to go wrong, imperfections to show, maintenance to cover. But don’t fear, our nurse consultant in dermatology, Sue Ibrahim at Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh, Essex has your skin covered!

We take exercise to improve our heart. We keep our brains active. We check our diet to ensure our digestive organs stay fit. But our skin often takes the brunt of external and internal abuse.

Taking care of our skin

If you would like to take better care of your skin in 2018 and guard against future damage, speak to Sue. Elan Medical has built up a reputation for providing expert, ethical, honest and professional guidance about dermatological conditions such as rosacea, acne, melasma, psoriasis, moles and cysts, excessive sweating, scarring, stretch marks and so much more.

We can also help with:

• Soothing and smoothing
• Revitalizing and refreshing
• Lifting and lasering
• Mapping and masking

Clinical expertise

Sue has worked in dermatology for almost 20 years and her experience is second to none. She is a firm believer in a combined, holistic approach. In order to get the most out of any treatment we aim to get your skin in tiptop condition first. Your treatment is then the icing on the cake and your recovery time is quicker.

Find out more – today!

Call Elan Medical on 01268 770660 between 9.30am and 5pm Monday to Saturday or you can click here to book online and one of our reception team will contact you by phone or email, whichever you prefer. We look forward to hearing from you.

Finding us

Our Essex clinic is situated in Rayleigh, a lovely a market town about 32 miles east of central London, located between Chelmsford, Hockley, Canvey, Rochford and Southend. We can be found on the High Street and if you’re looking for parking, the nearest car parks are in Bellingham Lane, the Market car park in Hockley Road, Websters Way and Castle Road.

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Summer offer – for your £10 discount, please quote Elan Summer Facial. Call our Rayleigh skin clinic on 01268 770660 to book. Hurry – offer ends 30.9.17.

If you’ve only ever had a facial at a beauty salon or spa you will be totally blown away by the medical grade facials at Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh, Essex.

The fully qualified team at Elan Medical Skin Clinic use clinically evidenced ingredients and protocols for their prescription-based facials that are tailored to your specific needs.

Elan’s medical grade facials are performed by our aesthetic therapist Amy and the protocol is prescribed by Sue Ibrahim, our nurse consultant in dermatology.

There are facials and there are Elan facials!

Our medical grade facials cost £95 and last around 45 minutes. They normally include LED Phototherapy as part of the treatment. For clients with acne, the prescription products used will normally consist of azelaic acid, salicylic acid and bio-sulphur.

For clients with rosacea, anti-inflammatory ingredients are utilised to calm irritated skin and ingredients such as azelaic acid help to protect the skin from the demodex mite, which is now thought to be the trigger factor behind the exacerbation of rosacea.

Clients prone to facial dermatitis will find Elan’s DermaActive DermaCalm Treatment Facial beneficial. And for those with ageing skin a combination of prescription strength retinoic acid and stem cells help stimulate collagen production and boost the skin’s repair processes.

Longer lasting effects

Each medical grade facial is designed to kick-start your home care regime, which may include prescription only medications, so clients do not have to return every few weeks for another treatment. Treatment will continue at home, resulting in photographic improvements in your skin within 6 -12 weeks!

Dermatology consultation with Sue Ibrahim

Clients will require a full dermatology consultation with Sue Ibrahim prior to a medical grade facial as they contain medical elements that can only be prescribed following a face-to face-consultation.

Special summer offer

For your £10 discount, please quote Elan Summer Facial. Please call our Rayleigh skin clinic on 01268 770660 to book. Hurry – offer ends 30.9.17.

Great Essex location

Our Essex medical clinic is situated in Rayleigh, a lovely a market town about 32 miles east of central London, located between Chelmsford, Hockley, Canvey, Rochford and Southend. Elan Medical Skin Clinic can be found on the High Street and if you’re looking for parking, the nearest car parks are in Bellingham Lane, the Market car park in Hockley Road, Websters Way and Castle Road. So, if you’re in the area, pop in and meet our welcoming team. Until then, check out our website for lots more information.

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London skin expert from Elan Medical Skin Clinics can smooth and soothe your skin

In our last blog we talked about soothing lumps, bumps, rashes and itchy skin, this time it’s all about smoothing and rejuvenating our skin.

As well as having more than 30 years’ experience in dermatology, Elan Medical Skin Clinic director, Sue Ibrahim, has spent many years honing her cosmetic dermatology services. This means she can offer exceptional quality treatments including skin fillers, wrinkle relaxing injections, skin peels and plasma soft surgery.

Wrinkle reducing injections

Done properly, no-one should be able to tell you’ve had wrinkle reduction. By choosing the right practitioner to achieve your aim, you can rest assured that your appearance will be improved yet remain completely natural.

Wrinkle-relaxing injections are one of the most popular cosmetic medical treatments for facial lines and wrinkles in the UK. Our award-winning nurse consultant, Sue Ibrahim, has more than 15 years’ experience in advanced wrinkle reduction procedures.

Skin fillers

Masters of dermal fillers have an exceptional knowledge of the skin – and Sue definitely fulfils this criteria. Skin fillers can provide truly excellent results and Elan Medical Skin Clinic is delighted to offer a new generation of dermal filler that is more comfortable and can last up to 18 months in the skin.

Skin peels

We are delighted to offer two of our own specially created skin peels, developed and formulated by Sue. Our chemical peels have been designed to refresh your skin, add vigour and lustre, and reduce blemishes, acne, acne scars, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation and sun damage.

Plasma soft surgery

Plasma soft surgery helps dramatically reduce hooded eyelids and bags under the eyes, as well as a host of concerns including treating skin imperfections such as warts and skin tags, and reducing the appearance of scars and stretch marks.

Great, central London location

Our central London medical skin clinic is just five minutes from Barbican and Old Street tube stations and a 15-minute walk from Liverpool Street Station. We are situated almost on the corner of Old Street and Whitecross Street, an area famous for its lively food stalls – in fact a lot of our clients work in Clerkenwell and Moorgate and spend their lunch hour visiting the food market in Whitecross Street. So, if you’re in the area, pop in and meet our welcoming team. Until then, check out our website for lots more information.

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London skin expert, Sue Ibrahim from Elan Medical Skin Clinics in central London and Essex, soothes your skin this summer

Skin rashes, itchy skin and general lumps and bumps seem all the more noticeable and irritating during the summer when our skin is bared to the world.

The team at Elan Medical Skin Clinics in Rayleigh, Essex and central London is led by Sue Ibrahim, a consultant nurse with more than 30 years’ dermatology experience. Sue knows skin, simple as that. She understands how certain health and skin problems can make you feel unhappy and self-conscious and what can be done to help alleviate your symptoms.

From acne, acne scarring, rosacea, melasma and psoriasis, to mole and cyst removal and treatments for dealing with excessive sweating, Sue uses the latest technology and up-to-date approaches to ensure the best results.

Dermatology consultation

If you have a skin concern, a dermatology consultation is your first step to resolving the problem and it is our hope that when two committed parties work together, desired results are achieved.

Most consultations last between 30 to 45 minutes and you will leave feeling fully informed and assessed. If you have an existing medical skin condition, your dermatology consultation includes a general assessment of your needs and a discussion about the range of treatment options available, both at Elan Medical Skin Clinics and those available elsewhere.

If you have a skin lesion, such as a mole, cyst, wart or lump that concerns you, this will be inspected using the latest dermatoscopic instrument so that a diagnosis can be made.

There is an £85 fee for an initial dermatology consultation with Sue Ibrahim and a private prescription, if required. Dermatology follow-up appointments are £35, inclusive of the repeat prescription fee.

Great, central London location

Our central London medical skin clinic is just five minutes from Barbican and Old Street tube stations and a 15-minute walk from Liverpool Street Station. We are situated almost on the corner of Old Street and Whitecross Street, an area famous for its lively food stalls – in fact a lot of our clients work in Clerkenwell and Moorgate and spend their lunch hour visiting the food market in Whitecross Street. So, if you’re in the area, pop in and meet our welcoming team. Until then, check out our website for lots more information.

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Woman talks to skin experts at central London’s Elan Medical Skin Clinic about Roaccutane

Roaccutane is a brand name for the oral drug Isotretinoin, which is closely related to vitamin A. Oral Isotretinoin works in a variety of ways, targeting several of the factors that cause acne and other skin conditions including the production of sebum (an oily substance produced by the skin) and the production of keratin (outer scales of skin) that block the pores of the hair follicle and cause acne.

Due to ongoing concerns, a review of psychiatric reactions was carried out in 2014, which considered all available evidence from published literature and individual case reports. Conflicting study results and limitations in the data determined it was not possible to identify a clear biological mechanism by which Isotretinoin would cause psychiatric disorders.

Acne itself is associated with psychiatric disorders and the age that many patients take isotretinoin is also the age that some psychiatric disorders are commonly diagnosed. However, patients on Roaccutane require careful monitoring, which should include monthly blood tests and close supervision regarding low mood. The drug is now generally prescribed at a lower dose for a longer period of time.

Who can prescribe it?

Roaccutane Isotretinoin is licensed in the UK and commonly used to treat moderate and severe acne, often where there is risk of scarring. Your dermatologist may occasionally use Roaccutane to treat other skin conditions such as hidradenitis suppurativa and rosacea. In the UK Roaccutane may only be prescribed if you are under the care of a consultant dermatologist.

Will Roaccutane cure my acne?

A large proportion of patients (about 9 out of 10) see a significant improvement in their acne with a single 16 to 24 week course of Roaccutane, although during the first few weeks of treatment the acne may worsen before it starts to improve.

A small number of patients continue to have milder, although improved, acne following Isotretinoin that can be controlled with conventional therapies, such as antibiotics. Others may relapse after stopping treatment with Roaccutane, and occasionally, a prolonged or second course of treatment is required.

Who can’t have it?

According to Government guidelines, the following people should not receive treatment with Roaccutane:

• children aged 12 years or younger
• women who are, or who might be, pregnant (please download the leaflet below)
• women who are breast-feeding
• people with impaired liver function
• those with high levels of fat in their blood
• people with hypervitaminosis A – the presence of too much vitamin A in the body, symptoms of which include:
  • fatigue
  • irritability
  • skin changes
  • hair loss
  • headache
  • stomach ache

Isotretinoin should be used with caution in people with:

• a history of depression
• diabetes
• dry-eye syndrome
• impaired kidney function
• people who are allergic to peanuts, soya, or the sugar sorbitol as some brands of Isotretinoin may contain these ingredients

What are the rare side effects of Isotretinoin?

More serious side effects may occur although these are fortunately rare. Isotretinoin can lead to changes in mood and/or behaviour and less commonly, unusual experiences including thoughts of self-harm and suicide. There have also been reports of patients attempting suicide.

If you have ever had low mood, suicidal ideas or any other mental health problem, please discuss this with your doctor before starting treatment. If you have a history of depression your dermatologist may ask a psychiatrist to see you before starting Roaccutane to determine if it is safe for you to take.

For more information, please read the leaflet attached below that has been produced by the British Association of Dermatologists or contact Sue Ibrahim.

British Association of Dermatologists Isotretinoin leaflet

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