Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Dr Tess McPherson

Dr Tess McPherson is a Consultant Dermatologist and Senior Clinical Lecturer (Oxford University Hospitals). Her particular areas of clinical and research interests include paediatric dermatology, teenage and young adult dermatology, psoriasis, acne and eczema.

  • Background

    Dr Tess McPherson is a Consultant Dermatologist, Senior Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Oxford and member of the British Society of Paediatric Dermatology.

  • Hester

    (Audio or text only clips) Hester had cystic acne which became quite severe during her gap year abroad at age 18. Her acne was very painful and left some scarring. After several years of trying a range of prescribed treatments, her acne cleared with a 4 month course of Roaccutane.

  • Background

    Hester is 21 years old and an undergraduate university student. Her ethnicity is White English.

  • Age at interview 21
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Kosta

    (Text only clips) Kosta has had acne for about 8 months. His acne can be painful and make him feel awkward sometimes, but he is accepting of his skin condition and thinks that it will go away after puberty.

  • Background

    Kosta is 14 years old and a secondary school student. His ethnic background is White Greek.

  • Age at interview 14
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Eli

    (Text only clips) Eli has had acne for about 2 years. She began wearing make-up to fit in at a new school but she thinks that this is making her spots worse. Having acne affects Eli's confidence and she prefers to wear make-up when out with her friends.

  • Background

    Eli is 13 years old and a secondary school student. Her ethnic background is White Greek.

  • Age at interview 13
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Nina

    (Text only clips) Nina developed acne when she was 12. She has tried different treatments, finding antibiotics which she initially tried when 13 to be more helpful at age 16. Nina would like to see more advice for young people on how to not let acne affect confidence.

  • Background

    Nina is 20 years old and a university student.

  • Age at interview 20
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Deborah

    Deborah first began to get spots around age 12. Contrary to what Deborah expected initially, her acne has stayed with her into her twenties. She has used over-counter products, steroids creams and prescribed tablets but has never felt acne-free'.

  • Background

    Deborah is 25 years old. Her ethnicity is White British.

  • Age at interview 25
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Rebecca

    Rebecca developed acne at the age of 12/13. She began picking at her spots and this developed into a condition called dermatillomania. Her acne cleared up with a GP prescribed cream to dry out the spots, but she continues to have dermatillomania.

  • Background

    Rebecca is 18 years old and a sixth form student. Her ethnic background is White English.

  • Age at interview 18
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Abbie

    Abbie had mild acne from the age of 13. She visited a GP when her skin condition became more severe and tried various treatments. She saw a private dermatologist and found that Accutane (isotretinoin) worked well, despite the side effect of muscle aches.

  • Background

    Abbie is 17 years old and a sixth form student. Her ethnic background is White British.

  • Age at interview 17
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Marga

    Marga developed acne around the age of 18/19. She has tried oral contraceptives, oral antibiotics, topical creams, shop-bought products and natural' remedies. At times, acne has had an impact on her emotionally by lowering her confidence and self-esteem.

  • Background

    Marga is 24 years old and a postgraduate student. Her ethnicity is White British.

  • Age at interview 24
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Shu En

    (Audio or text only clips) Shu En has combination skin and developed moderate acne. She was given a course of Roaccutane (isotretinoin) by her dermatologist in Singapore. The tablets helped a great deal and she now uses a topical lotion containing isotretinoin to manage her skin.

  • Background

    Shu En is 19 years old and a university undergraduate student. She is single and lives in Singapore with her parents outside of term time. Her ethnicity is Chinese.

  • Age at interview 19
  • Sex/Gender Female