Frequently Asked Questions - ACNE

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Acne is a skin condition which can affect mainly the face, however can also affect the chest, neck and back. Acne caused spots which can also be linked with excessively oily skin. It can also sometimes feel hot or painful. 

There are 6 main types of spot caused by a bacteria called P.acne’s which live on the skin and cause acne. 

• Blackheads – small black spots which appear like dark pores.  They're not filled with dirt, but are black because the inner lining of the hair follicle produces a colour.
• Whiteheads – Similar appearance to blackheads, but may be firm and will not empty when squeezed.
• papules – small red bumps that may feel tender or sore and don’t develop heads. 
• pustules – similar to papules, but have they do develop a  white tip in the centre, caused by a build-up of pus and oils because of a blocked pore. 
• nodules – large hard lumps that build up beneath the surface of the skin. these can be painful and raised. 
• cysts – the most severe type of spot caused by acne; they're large pus-filled lumps that look similar to boils and carry the greatest risk of causing permanent scars. 

It’s important not to squeeze spots as they will make the condition worse. 

• Do not wash affected areas of skin more than twice a day. too much washing can irritate the skin and make symptoms and the acne worse.
• Wash the affected area with a mild soap or cleanser and lukewarm water. Don’t use very hot or very cold water as this can make things worse. 
• Do not try to "squeeze out" blackheads or spots. This can make them worse and cause permanent scars.
• Avoid make-up, skincare and suncare products that are oil-based (sometimes labelled “comedogenic”). Use water-based non-comedogenic products, as they’re less likely to block the pores in your skin And reduce the risk of further breakouts.
• Completely remove make-up before going to bed. DO NOT use baby wipes to do this. 
• If dry skin is a problem, use a fragrance-free water-based moisturisers to add rehydration to the skin.
• Acne can affect people self esteem and self confidence. Regular exercise cannot improve your acne, but it can boost your mood and improve your self-esteem. Just remember to shower as soon as possible once you finish exercising as sweat can irritate your acne And cause further oil build up in the pores. 
• Avoid alcohol which can increase inflammation 

Sometimes these measures alone do not control the acne and further treatment is required. Please continue readings on to see how we can help!

Specific chemical peels which contain salicylic acid  can be used to target the upper layer of skin which is where the P Acne’s are thriving and lead onto blocked pores and the formation of Acne.  If we can drastically reduce the number of these P.Acne bacteria’s and regulate the oil production (sebum glands), we can therefore significantly improve Acne. Suitable for all skin types. This hope of chemical peel can cause some mild stinging or burning and redness. Downtimes should be minimal and is unlikely to more than 2-7 days. Some superficial skin shedding may occur but is unlikely. Active acne lesions can become white and slightly sore But this generally is short lived & would improve after a number of peels.

These Chemical Peels Should be completed every 2-4 weeks, and a course of at least 4-6 peels is recommended. It would be recommended that Medical Grade skin care products which can be purchased via the clinic are utilised twice daily at home. These peels can also be used in conjunction with Dermalux LED phototherapy to reduce downtime and enhance the effects of the chemical peels. 

IPL which is Intensed Pulsed Light rays, are emitted through superfical surface of the skin layers. In order to treat Acne, IPL Emits Blue light rays at specific wave lengths and joules of power, to kill the P.Acne’s which causes Acne. It can also help regulate oil production which in turn Reduces Acne. A minimum of 6 sessions is required, and maintenance sessions maybe required dependant on severity of the acne and  Symptoms. It is not possible to state how frequent or infrequent maintenance sessions maybe required as this will vary person to person. 

IPL cannot be performed on Darker skin types and cannot be completed on tanned skin. Skin should return to an “untanned” state before IPL can be completed. 

It is recommended Medical Grade Skin care is used at home and can be purchased and prescribed via the clinic in order to help  maintain results at home. Here at SkinLab, we utilise an IPL device which is NHS approved, Medically licensed and is from a UK based, multi-award winning manufacturer, Lynton Lasers. 

Dermalux LED therapy otherwise known as phototherapy  Can be used to treat and manage Acne. Light Emitting Diode (LED) Phototherapy is a non-invasive treatment that targets specific non-thermal light to energise cells which triggers a cascade of bio stimulatory responses. It is scientifically proven for a wide range of indications including Acne and inflammation caused by Acne. 

Phototherapy does not transfer heat, nor create trauma, making it particularly effective to treat problematic and inflammatory conditions. With one of the highest safety profiles, it is pain free treatment without downtime and suitable for all skin types.  

Specially Blue and Near infrared lights emitted from the Dermalux Flex device are the 2 wave lengths which are of most benefit for the treatment and management of Acne. 

This Device possesses a UK Medical License meaning its evidence based and dermatology approved for the treatment of many skin conditions, including Acne.  

It is recommended that the device is used daily for 30 minutes, for 14 days. The Dermalux LED  device is available to rent from clinic for 2 week periods. 

If you’re hoping to reduce active  acne lesions, reduce redness, lessen redness and inflammation and the frequency of your breakouts, acne-prone skin can be effectively treated with Lynton Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). This can be used as a stand alone treatment  or in combination with other clinical treatments. IPL directly addresses the p. acne bacteria. By using medical-grade IPL you will experience clearer skin and an improvement in the tone, texture, and appearance of your skin. IPL Specifically targets overactI’ve sebaceous glands which in turn reduces the oiliness of your skin and reduces acne breakouts. 

We offer safe and effective acne treatments for men and women for the face and body.  A thorough consultation is carried out before any treatment is commenced as not everyone will be suitable for IPL. IPL is best used on acne which is oily skin, pustules and black heads. 

If your acne is more cystic - other treatment methods may work better. 

If IPL is suitable for you we recommended at least 6 sessions, along with additional exfoliating treatments such as chemical peels and or at home medical grade skin care regimes which can be prescribed through our clinic. 

Medical Grade Skin Care regimes are always recommended either as a stand alone treatment, or alongside the above treatments to manage Acne. Acne is not curable, but is manageable. Medical Grade Skin care can be prescribed by our advanced nurse practitioners in Clinc Following a thorough skin care consultation.