Everyday Health
Acne Consultation and Treatment
Prescriber-led acne care without waiting for a GP appointment, for teenagers and adults.
Available from 1 October 2026 – register your interestBook a consultation Call 01453 810316
- Available
- From 1 October 2026
- Format
- Private consultation
- Who
- Teenagers and adults
- Follow-up
- Review appointment included
About this service
Acne happens when hair follicles become blocked with oil and dead skin cells, bacteria multiply and the skin becomes inflamed. It affects most teenagers to some degree and a substantial number of adults, particularly women in their twenties and thirties, and adult acne often sits along the jawline and chin. It ranges from blackheads and whiteheads, through red spots and pustules, to deeper painful lumps under the skin. Acne is not caused by poor hygiene, and over-washing and scrubbing usually make it worse.
Treating acne properly and early matters because scarring is permanent and much harder to deal with than the acne itself. The single most important thing to understand about acne treatment is that it takes time, because most treatments need at least six to eight weeks of consistent daily use before there is anything meaningful to judge, and up to twelve weeks for the full effect, and many treatments cause dryness, redness and peeling in the first few weeks and can appear to make things worse before they get better. Deeper nodular or cystic acne, acne that is already scarring, and acne that has not responded after three months of proper treatment need referral for stronger options, and we will refer you rather than keep trying. At Berkeley Pharmacy our prescriber-led acne service offers a proper assessment, a clear plan and ongoing review, without waiting for a GP appointment.
What acne is and why treating it properly matters
Acne happens when hair follicles become blocked with oil and dead skin cells, bacteria multiply and the skin becomes inflamed. It affects most teenagers to some degree and a substantial number of adults, particularly women in their twenties and thirties, and adult acne often sits along the jawline and chin. It ranges from blackheads and whiteheads, through red spots and pustules, to deeper painful lumps under the skin.
Acne is not caused by poor hygiene, and over-washing and scrubbing usually make it worse. Treating acne properly and early matters because scarring is permanent and much harder to deal with than the acne itself. The single most important thing to understand about acne treatment is that it takes time, because most treatments need at least six to eight weeks of consistent daily use before there is anything meaningful to judge, and up to twelve weeks for the full effect, and many treatments cause dryness, redness and peeling in the first few weeks and can appear to make things worse before they get better. Deeper nodular or cystic acne, acne that is already scarring, and acne that has not responded after three months of proper treatment need referral for stronger options, and we will refer you rather than keep trying.
Who this service is for
Suitable for
- Teenagers and adults with blackheads, whiteheads, red spots or pustules
- Adults with persistent jawline and chin acne
- People who have tried supermarket and pharmacy products without success
- Anyone whose acne is affecting their confidence or mood
- People who want a proper plan rather than a new product every few weeks
Not suitable for
- Deep, painful nodules and cysts, or acne that is already leaving scars, which need referral for stronger treatment
- Acne with irregular periods, excess facial hair and weight gain, which needs investigation for an underlying hormonal cause
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding for many treatment options, which we assess carefully
- Anyone with a rash that is not acne, such as rosacea or an allergic reaction, which needs a different approach
How it works
A simple, consistent process for every service at Berkeley Pharmacy.
Get in touch
Call us or use our contact form to arrange a consultation.
Consultation
A private, face-to-face appointment with our pharmacist in our Berkeley consultation room.
Clinical assessment
We review your medical history and confirm whether the service is suitable for you.
Treatment or referral
If it is suitable we treat you the same day; if not, we explain why and advise on the best next step.
What to expect at your appointment
Your consultation is private, with a good look at the affected skin in proper light. We ask questions only because they help us judge the type and severity of your acne and build a plan that will work.
- A private consultation with a good look at the affected skin in proper light
- Questions about how long it has been going on, what you have already tried and for how long, your skin care routine, any medicines and, where relevant, your periods
- An honest assessment of the type and severity of your acne
- Where treatment is appropriate, a discussion of the options, how to use them and what to expect in the first few weeks
- Practical skin care advice
- A review appointment so we can judge progress properly rather than guessing
- Referral where stronger treatment is needed
Aftercare and realistic expectations
Give any treatment at least eight weeks before deciding it is not working, and expect some dryness and irritation early on. The way you use treatment and look after your skin day to day makes a real difference to the result.
- Give any treatment at least eight weeks before deciding it is not working, and expect some dryness and irritation early on
- Start slowly, for example every other night, and build up, and use a simple non-comedogenic moisturiser
- Wash gently twice a day and no more, and stop scrubbing and using harsh toners
- Do not pick or squeeze, as this is the main cause of scarring and pigmentation
- Use sunscreen daily, since some treatments make skin more sensitive to sunlight and marks fade more slowly with sun exposure
- Take photographs at the start so you can judge progress fairly
- Come back for review, and tell us if treatment is causing more irritation than you can live with
Frequently asked questions
How long does acne treatment take to work?
Most treatments need at least six to eight weeks of consistent daily use before there is anything meaningful to judge, and up to twelve weeks for the full effect. It is important to keep going through the early weeks, because many treatments cause dryness, redness and peeling at first and can appear to make things worse before they get better. We will book a review appointment so we can judge progress properly rather than guessing.
Why does my skin get worse before it gets better?
Many acne treatments cause dryness, redness and peeling in the first few weeks, and the skin can look more irritated before it starts to improve. This is a normal part of starting treatment rather than a sign it is not working. Starting slowly, for example every other night, building up and using a simple non-comedogenic moisturiser helps, and we will talk you through exactly how to manage the first few weeks.
Is acne caused by diet or poor hygiene?
No. Acne is not caused by poor hygiene, and over-washing and scrubbing usually make it worse. Acne happens when hair follicles become blocked with oil and dead skin cells, bacteria multiply and the skin becomes inflamed, and it is influenced by hormones, genetics and other factors rather than dirt or most foods. We will give you practical skin care advice at your consultation, including washing gently twice a day and no more.
When does acne need a referral to a doctor?
Deeper nodular or cystic acne, acne that is already scarring, and acne that has not responded after three months of proper treatment need referral for stronger options, and we will refer you rather than keep trying. Acne with irregular periods, excess facial hair and weight gain also needs investigation for an underlying hormonal cause. We will explain clearly when a referral is the right next step and why.
Can adults have this service or is it only for teenagers?
Adults are very welcome. Acne affects a substantial number of adults, particularly women in their twenties and thirties, and adult acne often sits along the jawline and chin. Our prescriber-led service is for teenagers and adults alike, and we will assess the type and severity of your acne and build a plan that is right for you whatever your age.
When is this service available?
This service will be available from 1 October 2026. If your acne is severe, painful, already scarring, or coming with other symptoms such as irregular periods before then, please speak to your GP rather than waiting, as those features need prompt assessment.
How we can supply treatment without a GP appointment
Some treatments at Berkeley Pharmacy are supplied under a Patient Group Direction, or PGD – a written instruction, signed by a doctor and a pharmacist, that legally allows our trained pharmacists to supply and administer specified medicines to people who meet defined clinical criteria, without a prescription from your GP. If you do not meet the criteria set out in the PGD we cannot supply the treatment, and we will explain why and advise you on the best next step. Our pharmacists also work as independent prescribers where that is appropriate.
Serving Berkeley and the surrounding Gloucestershire villages
Berkeley Pharmacy is on Market Place in the centre of Berkeley, with easy access from junctions 13 and 14 of the M5. We welcome patients from Berkeley, Sharpness, Newport, Berkeley Heath, Alkington, Ham, Stone and Rockhampton, and we are a short drive from Cam, Dursley, Slimbridge, Cambridge, Falfield, Charfield, Tortworth, Cromhall, Oldbury-on-Severn, Wotton-under-Edge, Thornbury, Frampton on Severn and Stonehouse. Patients also travel to us from Stroud, Nailsworth, Yate, Chipping Sodbury, Tetbury and Gloucester.
Safe, regulated care from your local pharmacy team
- Berkeley Pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. You can check any pharmacy or pharmacist on the GPhC register at pharmacyregulation.org.
- Every consultation is face to face and private, in our dedicated consultation room – not an online questionnaire.
- Serving the Berkeley community for over 25 years.
- This service does not replace care from your GP. With your consent we will inform your GP of any treatment provided. If you are unwell, have new or worsening symptoms, or need urgent care, contact your GP or NHS 111, and in an emergency call 999.
- If you experience a side effect from any medicine you can report it through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.
Page last reviewed: September 2026. Next review due: September 2027.
Treatment information
We do not advertise prescription-only medicines. Whether any treatment is suitable for you is decided at your consultation. If it would help you to read balanced, factual information about the treatments a prescriber may discuss with you, you can find it in our treatment information library.
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Find out more Men’s HealthHair Loss Consultation
Honest, face-to-face advice about pattern hair loss, and what treatment can and cannot do.
Find out moreSpeak to our pharmacy team about acne consultation
Visit us in Berkeley or get in touch to arrange a private consultation with our pharmacist.
Book a consultation Call 01453 810316
Address
14 Market Place, Berkeley, GL13 9BB
Opening hours
Mon–Fri 9am–6pm (closed 1–2pm)
Sat 9am–1pm
Sun Closed