These Women Tell Us Why This Acne Vaccination Would Be A Life Changer

‘An acne vaccination you say? How, when, how much?!’

These Women Tell Us Why An Acne Vaccination Would Be A Life Changer

by Phoebe Parke |
Published on

As the news breaks that scientists are working on a vaccination for acne, we wanted to find out what women who have suffered from acne thought about this new potential treatment.

At the University of California, scientists are working on a vaccine to combat acne for good – but it’s more difficult than it sounds. Acne is caused by bacteria called P. acnes, but eliminating those bacteria could affect the bodies healthy microbiome. So instead the team is trying to target an inflammatory messenger produced by the bacteria.

‘We found an antibody to a toxic protein that P. acnes bacteria secrete on skin — the protein is associated with the inflammation that leads to acne,’ the researchers told Allure.

They announced this week that trials on mice and skin cells from humans with acne have shown that acne inflammation was markedly reduced, but ‘until positive results are seen in humans, the fate of this treatment is still unknown.’

How would this treatment be received if it was to become available? We asked women who have been suffering with acne for years.

‘An acne vaccination you say? How, when, how much?!’

'My confidence and self esteem never felt so good as when as I was on roaccutane as a teenager,' Emma, 32, tells us.

'When I started a full time job it was impossible to keep up the monthly blood tests, dermatologist appointments two days later - all at scheduled times but inevitably always running late, guaranteeing the quick half hour appointment took at least an hour out of the office. After a year I came off it and slowly but surely, and sadly the acne returned.'

'I have spent a fortune on every product going and am now in a love affair with La Roche Posay Effacular Duo which seems to be the best I can find - along with GP prescribed antibiotics which stop the "worst" of the acne. A vaccination against acne would honestly mean everything to me.'

‘A vaccine for acne would have been life changing’

‘A vaccine for acne would have been life changing when my skin was really bad,' 28-year-old Jodie told Grazia today. ‘Trying to work out the best way to treat acne can be overwhelming (do you try medication, change your diet, invest in expensive skincare?), and often these things make no difference except for causing more stress and a dent in your bank balance.

‘Currently the only long-term ‘cure’ for acne is Roaccutane and this harsh drug is only suitable is extreme cases. Plus, it comes with a long list of side effects including really drying out your skin, it has been linked to depression/anxiety and involves going on the contraceptive pill.’

'If I could have a vaccine and achieve perfect skin, I would do it in an instant'

'I’ve had acne since I was 15, so seven years, and I’ve taken all the standard courses of treatment,' says 23-year-old Winter. 'I was put on the combined pill, prescribed various different antibiotics over the years, and when they all stopped working after a few months, put on Roaccutane by a dermatologist.

'Even Roaccutane, with all of its insufferable side effects, isn’t a long term cure, so frankly I’d jump at the chance of a vaccine. It would save me hundreds in prescription costs, and many many hours spent at the doctors and dermatologists.

'Personally, my acne was never a huge source of insecurity as a teenager but as I’ve entered my 20s it feels like something I shouldn’t be dealing with anymore. Plus, there is such a huge trend right now of showcasing your makeup-free, clear skin that is just so unattainable for me and has only made me realise how bad my skin really is.

'It’s not just continuing to have acne, it’s the scars you have to deal with after that, which I imagine I’ll spend a lot on trying to get rid of with laser treatments in the coming years. If I could have a vaccine and achieve perfect skin, I would do it in an instant.'

READ MORE: The Best Products For Acne-Prone Skin

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The Best Products For Acne-Prone Skin

Murad Rapid Relief Spot Treatment, £201 of 10

Murad Rapid Relief Spot Treatment, £20

Apply a thin layer of this serum meets moisturiser all over the affected area and let the Salicylic acid get to work to minimise the appearance of spots.

Glossier Zit Stick, £122 of 10

Glossier Zit Stick, £12

Keep this handy stick in your handbag and apply it at the first sign of a spot - so, whenever that sore, swollen bump appears. Formulated with 2% salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin and tea-tree oil to calm the area - you'll notice the benefits in no time.

Votary Blemish Rescue Oil - Tamanu and Salicylic, £353 of 10

Votary Blemish Rescue Oil - Tamanu and Salicylic, £35

It might sound counter intuitive to add more oil to oily skin but it can in fact help to balance the skin's mantle. This blemish oil calms irritated skin, helps to heal spots and will also treat scars.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo[+], £174 of 10
CREDIT: boots

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo[+], £17

La Roche-Posay's anti-blemish cream is formulated to target oily, blemish-prone skin. It has become a cult product for beauty buffs who have raved about its magical ability to unclog pores, minimise imperfections and give the surface of the skin a smooth velvety finish.

body-shop-tea-tree-range5 of 10

Tea Tree Night Lotion, £10 from The Body Shop Tea Tree Squeaky-Clean Scrub, £7 from The Body Shop

The Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil range is proven to contain healing and antibacterial properties for every type of skin. The Body Shop claim that the range can create clearer skin in 3-days without over-stripping the skin. We love the Tea Tree Squeaky Clean Scrub (with biodegradable micro-beads) and Tea Tree Night Lotion to combat shine and impurities day and night.

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, £136 of 10

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, £13

This highly coveted skin elixir is not only surprisingly affordable but also promises to refresh and repair your complexion by clearing up and soothing whiteheads overnight. All Mario Badescu asks is that you dip a cotton swab into the pink sediment, dab on a pimple and wash off in the morning. Do not shake the bottle.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, £177 of 10

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, £17

Enriched with cocoa butter, rosemary, eucalyptus and chamomile this indulgent cream cleanses, soothes and moisturises. Used alongside Liz Earle's pure cotton cloth, dead skin cells and daily grime are lifted away to reveal brighter looking skin.

Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Toner, £458 of 10

Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Toner, £45

Aesop is fast becoming the favorite beauty brand of the year because of the visible results. The parsley seed extract cleanses deep within the pores - exactly what you need for troublesome skin. Frequent use of this product will prevent future breakouts, and using this overnight won't leave you feeling oily or clogged up the next morning.

Origins Ginzing Energy Boosting Moisturiser, £259 of 10

Origins Ginzing Energy Boosting Moisturiser, £25

The most common places for acne and spots, particularly in the winter months, are your cheeks and jawline. To prevent this your skin must be well moisturized, and this Origins product is enriched with boosting ingredients to brighten your complexion. And it's completely oil-free.

Kiehls Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution, £3810 of 10

Kiehls Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution, £38

Apply this serum onto your acne scars or discolouration after you've washed your face and before you moisturise, and overtime it will even your complexion.

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