June is Acne Awareness Month, a time dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding acne and helping people understand their treatment options.
At Thames Skin Clinic in Twickenham, a doctor-led acne clinic in London, we specialise in acne treatment in London for teenagers and adults, using innovative treatments like AviClear acne laser and medical-grade ZO Skin Health programmes.
What Is Acne Awareness Month?
Acne Awareness Month is an annual campaign held every June to raise awareness and encourage conversations around this extremely common skin condition. Most people experience some form of acne during their lifetime, and many adults still deal with breakouts well past their teenage years. Acne vulgaris affects 9.4% of the global population and is considered the 8th most prevalent disease globally.
- About 95% of people aged 11 to 30 are affected by acne to some extent.
- Acne is most common in girls aged 14 to 17 and in boys aged 16 to 19.
- About 3% of adults have acne over the age of 35.
- By 2021, 14.6% of UK adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 were diagnosed with acne, a 7.4% increase since 1990.
- The highest burden of acne was found in Western Europe, including the UK.
- Out of 204 countries analysed, the UK ranked eighth in the world for acne prevalence among people aged 10–24.
The message this June is simple. Acne is treatable, and you do not have to manage it alone.
Why Does Acne Deserve Expert-Led Care?
Acne is a complex inflammatory condition influenced by hormones, genetics, stress, diet, and lifestyle. Because it’s multifactorial, it often requires a combination-based treatment plan.
Thames Skin Clinic provides doctor-led acne solutions in South West London, including Twickenham, Richmond, Kingston, Wimbledon, and Chiswick. Our award-winning clinic specialises in acne and rosacea treatments and is led by Dr Anna Hemming, a nationally recognised medical doctor and former GP to Buckingham Palace.
Dr. Hemming has been recognised by the medical aesthetics industry for her clinical excellence, winning Medical Aesthetic Practitioner of the Year at the 2026 Aesthetics Awards and the 2025 Aesthetic Medicine Awards. In 2024, she was honoured with the Cutera Lifetime Achievement Award for her life-changing results in treating acne and scarring.
We treat the root causes of congestion, hormonal acne, and acne scarring using the innovative AviClear 1726nm laser and prescription-grade ZO Skin Health programmes. As a CQC-registered clinic, we prioritise safety and transparency with our patients.
For every acne patient, our treatment approach is guided by the THAMES Philosophy. It keeps your care structured, safe and tailored to you.
- T, Thorough Consultation. We assess your medical history, lifestyle and skin health using the IGA (Investigators Global Assessment) scoring system.
- H, Holistic Approach. We address root causes, such as hormonal factors, diet and stress.
- A, Assessment. We monitor your progress throughout your treatment cycle.
- M, Medical Treatments. We combine AviClear with prescription-grade ZO Skin Health programmes, HydraFacials and chemical peels.
- E, Expectations Discussed. We are fully transparent about timelines and the normal reactivity, or purging, phase.
- S, Safety. As a CQC-registered, doctor-led clinic, your safety is our priority.
Acne treatment is a process that requires consistency. Most patients see the best results over a 6 to 8-month journey. If you’ve struggled with persistent breakouts, hormonal acne or scarring, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Book a hormonal acne assessment with Dr Anna Hemming.
Learn more about our acne solutions.
What Is AviClear and How Does It Treat Acne?
At Thames Skin Clinic, we are proud to offer AviClear. It is the world’s first 1726nm laser developed specifically to treat acne at its source.
Many acne treatments rely on pills or topical creams. AviClear works differently. It targets and suppresses the sebaceous glands to regulate oil production. It is FDA-cleared for mild to severe inflammatory acne, and it is safe for all skin tones.
For patients who already have marks left behind, we also treat acne scarring as part of a complete plan.
Dr Hemming is an international speaker and a key opinion leader for Cutera and ZO Skin Health, which we often use in combination for acne treatment for our patients. Thames Skin Clinic is also an AviClear ambassador. Her work has been featured by Vanity Fair, Tatler, Hello, the Daily Mail and Sky News.
Book Your Acne Consultation Today
At Thames Skin Clinic, we routinely treat teenagers with acne supported by their parents, alongside adult patients experiencing new-onset or persistent hormonal breakouts.
As a CQC-registered, doctor-led clinic in Twickenham, we use advanced and evidence-based treatments and products:
- AviClear Laser Therapy: We are an ambassador clinic for AviClear, the first FDA-cleared laser treatment for acne.
- Medical-Grade Skincare Routines: We create bespoke skincare regimes utilising active, prescription-grade ZO Skin Health formulations to regulate cell turnover and stabilise the skin barrier.
Book Your Acne Consultation with Dr Anna Hemming.
Acne Awareness Month FAQs
Is acne only a teenage problem?
Acne is not limited to the teenage years. Many adults develop it for the first time in their twenties, thirties and beyond. Hormonal changes, stress and certain skincare products can all trigger acne breakouts later in life, and our medical team treats teenagers and adults alike.
Can AviClear be used on all skin tones?
AviClear is safe for all skin tones. It works by targeting the sebaceous glands rather than the surface pigment, so it suits a wide range of patients with mild to severe inflammatory acne.
How is a doctor-led acne clinic different from a beauty salon?
A doctor-led clinic, such as Thames Skin Clinic, assesses acne as a medical condition, not just a cosmetic one. Treatments are designed and overseen by qualified medical professionals and use evidence-based methods and prescription-grade products. They are also delivered in a CQC-registered setting where patient safety comes first.