Acne Treatment in Ireland — What Works, What an Online Doctor Can Prescribe

Why we get acne

Acne develops when sebum, skin cells, and the bacterium Cutibacterium acnes combine to clog pores and trigger inflammation. Hormones drive the process, which is why acne is most common in teenagers and in adult women around the menstrual cycle, postpartum, or with PCOS.

Stepwise treatment

1. Topical retinoids (adapalene, tretinoin) — first-line for comedones and inflammatory acne
2. Benzoyl peroxide / topical antibiotic combinations — adjunct or first-line in inflammatory acne
3. Oral antibiotics (lymecycline, doxycycline) — moderate inflammatory acne for 3 months
4. Combined hormonal contraception — for women with hormonal patterns
5. Isotretinoin — severe / scarring acne, requires consultant dermatology

What an Online Doctor can do

An IMC-registered Online Doctor can review photos, take a history, prescribe topical retinoids and oral antibiotics where appropriate, prescribe hormonal contraception for hormonal acne in suitable women, and refer for isotretinoin where needed.

Mistakes to avoid

• Stopping too soon — most treatments take 8–12 weeks for visible improvement
• Over-cleansing (twice daily is enough)
• Picking and squeezing — increases scarring
• Adding too many actives at once — start low and slow

When to refer for dermatology

Severe inflammatory or nodulo-cystic acne, scarring acne, acne unresponsive to a 3-month antibiotic + topical course, and acne in pregnancy where treatment options are limited.

FAQs