Acne Symptoms & Treatments in Hawke’s Bay
Specialist Diagnosis and Treatment for Acne
Acne is a common inflammatory skin condition that develops when hair follicles become blocked with oil and dead skin cells.
It can cause blackheads, whiteheads, inflamed spots and deeper painful lesions. Acne most commonly affects the face, but it can also develop across the neck, chest, shoulders and back.
Acne can affect teenagers and adults, and symptoms can vary considerably between patients. Some people experience occasional blocked pores or spots, while others develop persistent inflammation, painful cysts or scarring.
At Dermatology Hawke’s Bay, our specialist dermatologist-led team provides acne consultations for patients with all types of acne. We will assess the type and severity of your acne and recommend a personalised treatment plan based on your skin, symptoms and previous treatment history.
Common Types of Acne Spots
Different types of acne spots can develop at the same time.
Identifying the type, depth and severity of the acne affecting your skin helps determine the most appropriate treatment pathway.
Blackheads
Blackheads are open blocked pores, also known as open comedones.
Oil and dead skin cells collect inside the hair follicle while the surface remains open. The dark appearance is caused by material within the pore being exposed at the skin’s surface, rather than dirt.
Whiteheads
Whiteheads are closed blocked pores, also known as closed comedones.
The follicle becomes blocked beneath the surface of the skin, creating a small white or skin-coloured bump.
Pustules
Pustules are inflamed acne spots that contain pus.
They usually appear as red or tender bumps with a white or yellow centre and can develop alongside other types of acne.
Cysts & Deep Nodules
More severe acne can cause larger, painful lumps that develop deeper within the skin.
Often described as cystic acne, these deeper lesions can remain inflamed for longer and carry a greater risk of permanent scarring.
How Acne Can Affect the Skin
Redness & Inflammation
Inflamed acne can cause persistent redness, swelling and tenderness around affected areas.
Deeper lesions may also feel painful or uncomfortable, particularly when acne affects larger areas of the face, chest or back.
Post-Acne Marks & Pigmentation
Once an acne spot has healed, changes in skin colour may remain.
These can appear as red, pink or darker areas where inflammation has occurred. Post-acne marks are different from permanent scarring, although they can remain visible for some time after active acne has settled.
Changes in Skin Texture
Repeated inflammation can affect the surface and deeper layers of the skin.
Some patients may notice uneven texture, enlarged-looking pores or areas where previous acne lesions have altered the appearance of the skin.
Acne Scarring
Deeper inflammatory acne can damage the surrounding skin and lead to permanent scarring.
Acne scars can appear as depressions, uneven areas or raised scars. Treating active acne appropriately can help reduce the risk of further scars developing.
Once active acne is controlled, selected facial and laser treatments may be recommended to improve existing acne scarring.
Acne Consultation and Treatment Options
Acne affects each patient differently, so the first step is an accurate diagnosis and a clear understanding of the type and severity of acne affecting your skin.
At Dermatology Hawke’s Bay, our specialist dermatologist-led team can assess your acne and develop a personalised treatment plan based on your symptoms, skin, previous treatments and whether scarring is developing.
Management may include specialist prescription medication, professional skincare, selected facial treatments, and laser or light-based treatments where appropriate.
Treatments can include
Start with a Dermatologist Consultation
A specialist consultation is the starting point for persistent, inflammatory or difficult-to-manage acne.
Our dermatologist can assess the type and severity of your acne, review previous treatments and recommend a personalised treatment pathway.
Consultations are available in Hawke’s Bay and online for patients across New Zealand.
Prescription Medication
Specialist prescription medication may be recommended where clinically appropriate, particularly for persistent or inflammatory acne.
Your dermatologist will determine whether medication is suitable for you and provide guidance on treatment, monitoring and ongoing management.
Professional Skincare
Professional skincare may be recommended alongside acne treatment to support acne-prone skin between appointments.
As Hawke’s Bay’s exclusive stockist of GlyMed Plus and SkinCeuticals, we can recommend pharmaceutical-grade skincare products where they are appropriate for your skin and wider treatment pathway.
Facial Treatments
Selected facial treatments may support acne-prone skin by addressing congestion, inflammation and overall skin condition.
Depending on your skin, treatment may include customised chemical peels or LED Light Therapy as part of a wider personalised treatment plan.
Laser Treatments
Laser and light-based treatments may be recommended for selected patients with active acne or acne scarring.
Dermatology Hawke’s Bay offers BBL Forever Clear® for active acne, while selected laser treatments can also be used to improve the appearance of acne scars and uneven skin texture.
Suitability will depend on your skin, the type of acne or scarring being treated and your wider treatment plan.
Acne FAQs
What causes acne?
Acne develops when hair follicles become blocked with oil and dead skin cells.
Inflammation within the follicle can then contribute to the development of blackheads, whiteheads, pustules and deeper acne lesions. Hormones and other individual factors can also influence the severity and persistence of acne.
Is acne only a teenage skin condition?
No. Acne is particularly common during adolescence, but it can persist into adulthood or develop for the first time in adults.
Treatment is based on the type and severity of the acne and the individual needs of the patient.
What is cystic acne?
Cystic acne is a term commonly used to describe severe inflammatory acne involving deep, painful lesions beneath the surface of the skin.
Because these lesions can cause permanent scarring, specialist assessment is recommended where deeper inflammatory acne develops.
When should I see a dermatologist?
Consider seeing a dermatologist if your acne is persistent, painful, cystic, beginning to scar or has not responded adequately to previous treatment.
A specialist assessment can also help confirm the diagnosis where symptoms could be caused by another skin condition.
Can acne scars be treated?
Yes. Once active acne is appropriately controlled, selected treatments may help improve the appearance of acne scarring.
Dermatology Hawke’s Bay offers treatment options including microneedling and laser treatments. The most appropriate option will depend on the type, depth and extent of the scarring.
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
No. You can book directly with Dermatology Hawke’s Bay, no GP referral required.
How do I book an acne consultation?
Contact Dermatology Hawke’s Bay and our team will help arrange the appropriate appointment.
Why choose Dermatology Hawke's Bay?
Great results start with the right diagnosis and treatment plan.
At Dermatology Hawke’s Bay, acne treatments aren’t selected by package or promotion. Every recommendation is based on your skin, your concerns and the outcome you’re hoping to achieve.
Our dermatology-led team combines specialist expertise with appearance medicine care, ensuring your treatment plan is personalised, evidence-based and guided by what is right for your skin.
Every consultation includes:
- An assessment of your skin
- Personalised treatment recommendations
- A clear explanation of expected outcomes
- A treatment plan tailored to your goals