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About Us

Key Information

  • Please contact the practice if your acne is not improving after the review period you were given. For many treatments, a proper trial is around 12 weeks.
  • Contact us sooner if your acne is getting worse, becoming more widespread, or you are developing painful deep spots or large lumps under the skin.
  • Ask for advice if treatment is causing difficult side effects, or if spots are leaving scars, persistent dark marks or changes in skin colour that are not settling.
  • Please also contact us if acne is affecting your mood, confidence, school, work, relationships or social life.

How Long Should I Give My Treatment to Work?

Acne can often be managed well, but treatment may need time to work. If you have used your treatment as advised and your acne is not improving after the review period you were given, please contact the practice.

For many acne treatments, this means giving the treatment a proper trial of around 12 weeks.

When Should I Contact the Practice Sooner?

You do not need to wait for the full review period if your acne is clearly getting worse, becoming more widespread, or you are developing painful deep spots or large lumps under the skin.

Please also contact us if spots are leaving scars, persistent dark marks or changes in skin colour that are not settling.

What If My Treatment Is Causing Problems?

Please ask for advice rather than stopping and restarting your treatment repeatedly on your own.

Contact the practice if your skin is becoming very painful, very red, swollen, blistered or cracked, or if you are not sure how to use your treatment.

What If Acne Is Affecting How I Feel?

Please contact us if acne is having a negative impact on your mood, confidence, school, work, relationships or social life. You do not need to wait until acne becomes severe before asking for help.

What Should I Avoid While Waiting for Advice?

Try not to pick or squeeze spots, use harsh scrubs or toothpaste, or use sunbeds to treat acne. These can irritate or damage your skin instead.

What Happens Next?

Keep using your treatment as advised unless the team tells you otherwise.

Contact The Adam Practice at the link below if your acne is not improving, is worsening, is causing scars or difficult side effects, or is affecting your daily life.

If you are not sure whether you need a review, please ask for advice so the team can help you decide the next step.

Further Information

To learn more about acne, please visit the NHS website.

Last reviewed: 7 August 2026

Next review due: 7 August 2029