Latest news with #BritishAssociationofDermatologists
Graziadaily
23-05-2025
- Health
- Graziadaily
The New Free Dermatology Service At Boots Could Change Your Skin For Good
My skin struggles trace back to 2010. I had just graduated from secondary school with 10 GCSEs and a fresh face unscathed by spots, oily T-zones or any other skin woe associated with the hormonal fluctuations of teenhood. That all changed at college, when A-level induced stress left me riddled with cystic acne. Armed with little-to-no knowledge of how to treat it, I resorted to cutting out dairy, processed foods, sugar and ordered skincare from the US because a clear-skinned YouTuber told me to (mostly all in vain by the way). My hopelessness reached its peak when my GP said acne was 'normal' and I should come back when my skin gets worse. Spoiler: it did. That was until I finally met with a dermatologist years down the line who introduced me to Treclin, a prescription-only topical acne treatment that combines antibiotic clindamycin and vitamin A-derived retinoid tretinoin, which started to clear up the problem. Fast forward to 2025, I have hormonal acne that comes with its fair share of good and bad days (and I've discovered all of the best make-up products for acne-prone skin), but I often think about where my skin would be today if I had had the right tools as a totally lost acne-prone teen. Thankfully, Boots' new initiative is seeking to address the problem head on. Intent on becoming the one-stop solution for accessible skin health, Boots has launched dermatology training for its pharmacists and pharmacy teams based in over 150 nationwide stores, who will now be able to provide free, in-store support on common skin conditions like acne, rosacea, psoriasis and even scalp health. All you need to do in walk-in. Approved by the British Association of Dermatologists, the nine module training programme (which spans everything from skin microbiome to pigmentation) has been developed with the L'Oréal Groupe's research and expertise as well as 20-year strong clinical insights provided by consultant dermatologist Dr Justine Hextall, to arm Boots' Pharmacy Team with a well-rounded understanding of how best to guide customers on their skin concerns. Importantly, the training course includes pathologies across type 4 and 6 skin types, meaning there is less chance of misdiagnosing skin conditions experienced by those with medium to deep skin tones. Sameeha at Boots, Westfield London ©Boots 'There is an unmet need for this,' says Dr. Hextall, 'People may visit the pharmacy, GP or dermatologist along their skin journey but as a dermatologist when someone sits in front of me I often think, "if only their first point of contact was A, B and C they wouldn't be here now and their problem wouldn't have gotten worse". It's all about making sure all touch points on the patient's journey are excellent. And how do you do that? You deliver education.' Boots is quickly positioning itself as that reliable first point of contact, where skin solutions can be found all under one roof. Jamie Kerruish, healthcare director at Boots, says, 'There is a clear need for accessible support for skin concerns and conditions, which is why we are so proud to be launching new technology and upskilling our pharmacy team members in stores. Combined with our huge skincare product range and beauty expertise, we can be the first port of call for all those with a skin concern, making it really easy for people to get quick advice and helping to relieve pressures on GP surgeries across the country.' In fact, according to research from No7, almost all (97%) women in the UK say they have experienced at least one skin issue, while data from NHS England in 2022 found skin conditions are the most common reason for people visiting GPs, accounting for one in four new consultations in England and Wales. The new offering comes alongside the launch of an AI-powered skin tool, the Boots Online Doctor SmartSkin Checker, which can screen for over 70 skin conditions with a quick image upload of problem areas. Available through the Boots Online Doctor, the tool can help to identify up to five skin conditions customers could be experiencing and there is a 95% likelihood that one of those is correct, which can then provide the basis of a treatment plan with the help of expert-led in-store guidance. As one of the first to try out the new initiative, which has been rolled out this week, I took my case of adult acne to the shop floor at Boots Westfield London. There, a pharmacist asked a series of questions about my current skincare routine and lifestyle choices before pointing me in the direction of the kinds of products that can help: a gentle cleanser, oil-free formulas and a new tube of Treclin, which can be prescribed by Boots Online Doctor. No hefty fees, no waiting lists, Boots is revolutionising the way we approach skin health for good. Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia's beauty writer, covering all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Skin expert warns 'most people' mistake deadly cancer for harmless bite - but there's one key difference EVERYONE should know
A leading skin expert has warned that far too many are mistaking potentially deadly skin cancer s for harmless bug bites. In an Instagram video viewed 300,000 times, dermatologist Dr Aleksandra Brown, said that thousands could be risking their lives by dismissing the second most common form of skin cancer — squamous cell carcinoma. More than 25,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with the condition every year. While it is highly survivable in early stages, when spotted late it can spread to other areas of the body, making it more difficult to treat. And thousands do not know the vital signs according to Dr Brown. 'Most often patients come in thinking that they have a cyst or a little thorn or it was just a little bug bite that got tender,' said Dr Brown, who is based in Virginia in the US. 'If you have a tender spot on a sun-exposed site that has not gone away in two weeks then it is not a cyst, it is not a thorn, it is not a spider bite. 'It is probably a squamous cell carcinoma. Please see a dermatologist and have it biopsied.' Dr Brown also urged the public to take preventative steps to avoid the disease. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr. Aleksandra Brown (@draleksandrabrown) 'You can prevent these by wearing sunscreen on sun-exposed sites,' she said. 'Sometimes this can be hard, if you work outside, you can wear SPF sleeves which are easier than reapplying sunscreen throughout the day.' Squamous cell carcinoma is a non melanoma skin cancer. The main difference between both is the type of cell in which they develop and the pace at which they develop. Melanoma tends to spread faster in your body than non-melanoma. Non melanoma skin cancer accounts for 20 per cent of all cancers and 90 per cent of all skin cancers. Experts warn that squamous cell carcinoma can vary in appearance. The British Association of Dermatologists say that most look scaly or crusty, raised and rough as they originate from the outer layer of the skin. Underneath the scale, there may be an ulcer that bleeds easily, although this is not always the case. The body adds that the lesion can also be sore or tender. The carcinoma can occur on any part of the skin, but they are more common on sun exposed sites such as the head, ears, lip, neck and back of the hands. The British Skin Foundation warns that some are more at risk than others. For instance, those who are immunosuppressed—either due to medical treatment or conditions like HIV—as well as people who are fair skinned and more susceptible to sunburn are more likely to be diagnosed. In order to combat the risk of skin cancer, the NHS recommends that Britons wear sunscreen when spending time in the sun, regardless of the temperature. The health service also recommends, during spring and summer, that people spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest. Another recommendation is to wear suitable protective clothing such as a brimmed hat and a long-sleeved top. Studies show that when caught early the five year survival rate for cancer is 99 per cent.
Telegraph
24-02-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
How you can finally fix your adult acne
Acne as a teenager? You sort of expect it, don't you? But an increasing number of people in adulthood suffer acne, too. According to the British Association of Dermatologists, the acne rates in young adults in the UK are among the highest in the world. I've had more than six months of a continuous, frustrating cycle of acne that seemingly popped up out of nowhere. 'Adult acne has slowly been on the rise for a while now, and I've personally observed a noticeable increase in cases over the past decade, particularly among women in midlife,' the consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto tells me. Many of the clients in her Harley Street clinic are acne sufferers. She puts the rise down to hormonal fluctuations, which can persist through pregnancy and menopause, or if you have conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Stress and poor sleep can have an impact, too, which certainly resonates with me. Whatever my acne was down to, it felt alarmingly abrupt when my skin began breaking out last summer. There was one spot on my cheek, and then another, and before I knew it I was playing whack-a-mole with painful red blemishes. One spot would shrink but another two would erupt. There was a particular cluster that set up camp on my left cheek for months. I was using spot stickers – which are popular among teenagers – almost every night, as well as the tried-and-tested blemish-busting ingredient salicylic acid. Nothing worked. Of course, there's medication, but I had been there, done that: around 15 years ago I underwent a course of Roaccutane for four months, on a low dose. It's a widely used treatment for acne, but can result in very dry, sore skin. This potent vitamin A derivative reduces oil production, and back then it worked for me, for a while, until my skin decided it was not going to play ball any more. Needless to say, I needed a remedy. I booked in to see Dr Mahto, who is also a leading acne specialist. Now in her mid-40s, Dr Mahto herself has suffered from acne since she was a young teenager. She suggested a new laser treatment, which became available in the UK last year, designed specifically to reduce the activity of the oil glands on the face. It addresses the root cause of acne and can last years. 'It is ideal for patients who experience oily skin, recurrent breakouts or persistent acne and want an effective, safe treatment with minimal downtime and lasting results,' she says of the AviClear laser treatment, currently the only laser acne treatment of its kind. 'It's been game-changing and having had it done myself, I only wish it had been available sooner.' It takes two to three months to have the full course of treatments – three sessions three to four weeks apart. I was warned my skin could break out during this period and it indeed did (but the spots cleared far quicker than usual and were certainly not as sore). Pleasingly, although unusual for a laser, the treatment works for all skin types and tones. But a treatment zapping your skin many, many times over isn't exactly comfortable. I found the bony parts of the face – the forehead and chin, for instance – were the most uncomfortable. But it's over quickly (around 40 minutes in total per session). As for the results, I'm now four weeks after my last treatment and my skin is remarkably clear. It's less greasy, too – if oily skin is your issue, this treatment deserves some consideration. My skin has better clarity and, according to Dr Mahto, the results continue to improve long after the treatment course has finished. Now to the price. It's £4,500 for the complete course at Self London (Dr Mahto's dermatology clinic in London) and also available at selected clinics around the UK. It's a huge investment, but if acne and consistently problematic skin is your issue, and you are looking for a long-term remedy, this is one of the most remarkable treatments around.
