Acne

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Acne treatments

Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people at some point. It causes spots, oily skin and sometimes skin that’s hot or painful to touch. Acne is very common and although it mainly effects teenagers it can also develop in adults. For many people who have acne, the skin disease affects more than their appearance. Acne can take a toll on one’s emotional health.

Who it can affect?

These self-help techniques may be useful:
• Do not wash affected areas of skin more than twice a day. Frequent washing can irritate the skin and make symptoms worse.

• Wash the affected area with a mild soap or cleanser and lukewarm water. Very hot or cold water can make acne worse.

• Do not try to “clean out” blackheads or squeeze spots. This can make them worse and cause permanent scarring.

• Avoid using too much make-up and cosmetics. Use water-based products that are described as non-comedogenic. This means the product is less likely to block the pores in your skin.

• Completely remove make-up before going to bed.

• If dry skin is a problem, use a fragrance-free water-based emollient.

• Regular exercise cannot improve your acne, but it can boost your mood and improve your self-esteem. Shower as soon as possible once you finish exercising as sweat can irritate your acne.

• Wash your hair regularly and try to avoid letting your hair fall across your face.

Although acne cannot be cured, it can be controlled with treatment. If your acne is severe or appears on your chest and back, it may need to be treated with antibiotics or stronger creams that are only available on prescription at our clinic. Treatments can take up to 3 months to work, so do not expect results overnight. Once they do start to work, the results are usually very effective.

What causes acne?

Acne is most commonly linked to the changes in hormone levels during puberty, but can start at any age. Certain hormones cause the grease-producing glands next to hair follicles in the skin to produce larger amounts of oil (abnormal sebum). This abnormal sebum changes the activity of a usually harmless skin bacterium called P. acnes, which becomes more aggressive and causes inflammation and pus. The hormones also thicken the inner lining of the hair follicle, causing blockage of the pores. Cleaning the skin does not help to remove this blockage.

Other possible causes

Acne is known to run in families. If both your mother and father had acne, it’s likely that you’ll also have acne. Hormonal changes, such as those that occur during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy, can also lead to episodes of acne in women.

While there isn’t an acne gene, you’re more likely to develop acne if your parents have ever suffered from it.

Certain foods that are high in refined sugar are known to spike sugar levels and increase the levels of cortisol, which can lead to the overstimulation of oil production. The spike in insulin levels also causes inflammation throughout the body, including your skin.

The smoke, chemicals and toxins within polluted environments can block your pores with dust and dirt.

Stress can contribute to acne formation due to the increase in the stress hormone cortisol that stimulates excess sebum production. It also weakens the immune system, allowing propionibacterium acne to develop.

It’s thought that an increase in the male hormone’s androgens found in both men and women, can overstimulate oil glands. As a result, pores enlarge, and the lining becomes thicker, preventing the oil from being able to escape the pore. In some cases, when an individual suffers from a medical condition which causes a hormonal imbalance such as Polycystic ovaries Syndrome (PCOS), this can impact the skin as well due to the hormones overstimulating the oil glands.

Often, products that are unsuitable for our skin can cause irritation. Applying topical products is usually a case of trial and error, but you can reduce your chances of breaking out by using products that are suitable for your skin type and needs. If you’re experiencing acne, it’s best to opt-for oil-free makeup (use mineral products), and avoid creams that are thick and greasy.

Types of Acne

There are 6 main types of spots caused by acne:


blackheads – small black or yellowish bumps that develop on the skin; they’re not filled with dirt, but are black because the inner lining of the hair follicle produces colour

whiteheads – have a similar appearance to blackheads, but may be firmer and will not empty when squeezed

papules – small red bumps that may feel tender or sore

pustules – similar to papules, but have a white tip in the centre, caused by a build-up of pus

nodules – large hard lumps that build up beneath the surface of the skin and can be painful

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 scarring.

Who Can it Affect?

Acne is very common in teenagers and younger adults. About 95% of people aged 11 to 30 are affected by acne to some extent. Acne is most common in girls from the ages of 14 to 17, and in boys from the ages of 16 to 19. Most people have acne on and off for several years before their symptoms start to improve as they get older.Acne often disappears when a person is in their mid-20s. In some cases, acne can continue into adult life. About 3% of adults have acne over the age of 35

TREATMENT OPTIONS
At Harley Street Injectables, we will assess your skin to identify the type of acne you are presenting with and will determine the causes to create a custom made acne rogramme
to help treat and control the acne by providing you with advice on how to limit exposure to possible acne triggers. Each case of acne is unique, and some types of acne will espond better to particular treatments or a combination approach. If your acne has become cystic we might advise a stronger oral medication such as Roaccutane or Isotretinion.

Skin Peels

Chemical skin peels work to treat acne by exfoliating and removing debris from the skin, helping to unblock pores while reducing oiliness at the same time. A skin peel allows for healthy new skin cells to form in the place of the dead skin cells. They also help to reduce inflammatory pigmentation that may have been caused by acne scarring. To treat acne effectively, you may require a number of peels over several months. The peels vary in strength and ingredients, and your practitioner will customise them to your needs.

Depending on your skin type and the severity of your acne your practitioner will decide on which peel is most suitable for you. Brands we use include: MesoesteticCosmelan, Obagi, ZO medical, iS clinical and Fillmed. Some of our peels involve skincare prep for 1-2 weeks before performing the peel, and some peels can be done on the same day as your consultation.

Chemical skin peels are suitable for anyone who is looking for overall skin rejuvenation and an improvement in skin tone and texture. Or, those who have:
  • Acne
  • Acne scars
  • Pigmentation and sun-spots
  • Moderate wrinkles or fine lines
  • Rosacea
  • Large or open pores
  • Crepey skin

The treatment begins with a consultation where your practitioner will assess your skin to decipher your skin conditions and the best course of treatment.

Certain peels like Cosmelanmay require skin preparation with the use of at-home products in the lead up to your appointment. Your practitioner will prescribe a list of recommended products that will be suitable for you or provide you with the appropriate preparation kit.

If we’re treating you with a Cosmelan peel, you will be required to use a prepping de-pigmentation kit for at least 2 weeks before your initial treatment to prepare your skin for the peel.

During your treatment, your practitioner will double cleanse and prepare the skin by applying a barrier cream around sensitive areas and remove all sebum to aid penetration of thepeel’s ingredients.

Following this, we will apply the peel of choice and leave it on for a few minutes before neutralising or removing the peel. A neutraliser will prevent the acid from working on the skin, whereas a removal wipe will leave the acid active on the skin to continue improving the complexion following treatment.

Chemical skin peels vary in strength and substance and are either superficial, medium or deep depending on your skin concerns and skin type.

The acids and other active compounds react with the skin and dissolve the outermost layers of the skin to reveal a fresher, clearer and brighter complexion. Chemical skin peels also promote collagen and elastin growth that will encourage the growth of healthier skin.

Fire & Ice Facial

The iS Clinical Fire & Ice Resurfacing Facial is a rejuvenating treatment that bridges the gap between a mild facial and an invasive peel, with no downtime. This facial is results-driven and designed to resurface the skin, treat problematic skin, reduce fine lines and encourage cellular renewal. It is a multi-step treatment with two professional masques combined with carefully selected iS Clinical products to optimise results. The Fire & Ice facial treatment has been the top-selling treatment each year for the last 12 years at the Four Seasons, Beverley Hills. The iS Clinical treatments and products have an A-list following including Gwyneth Paltrow, Halle Berry, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jessica Alba and Michelle Keegan among others. The Fire & Ice can also help clear acne and improve acne scarring, as part of a treatment programme. At Harley Street Injectables we combine this treatment with the Celluma LED light therapy. The LED light therapy can help treat acne with a combination approach. It’s a gentle and quick photofacial that is suitable for all skin types and pregnant women. Blue light wavelengths have anti-bacterial properties and can reduce redness, while the red light stimulates collagen renewal and encourages the removal of debris and dirt. Through altering biological skin cell activity, the treatment provides a healthier complexion and accelerates healing.

  • Acne scarring and other types of wounds
  • Dry and dull skin
  • Wrinkles and fine lines
  • Rough texture
  • Inflammation and skin conditions like psoriasis and dermatitis
  • Hyperpigmentation and age spots
  • Sun damage
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Acne
  • Stimulates collagen production to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
  • Combats dullness
  • Increases hydration
  • Improves hyperpigmentation, age spots and sun damage
  • Reduces inflammation and symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions
  • Improves tone and texture of the skin
  • Improves acne scarring and accelerates wound healing
  • Boosts skin health
  • Eases muscle and joint pains and spasms
  • Reduces bacteria associated with acne

Celluma LED light therapy works to calm redness and inflammation by triggering the body’s natural repair mechanisms. The treatment promotes overall skin health by improving circulation and boosts your skincare regime by allowing greater absorption of skincare ingredients.

Phototherapy can alter biological activity to encourage skin cells to improve their performance and efficiency- this process can promote the body’s healing mechanisms to speed up tissue repair and fortify the skin’s epidermal barrier. In turn, this can improve inflammatory skin conditions (and their symptoms) like psoriasis and dermatitis.

LED light therapy can also kill acne bacteria to help reduce acne, while fibroblast activity synthesises collagen production to improve acne scars (and other wounds) and skin texture.

Approximately 40 minutes

Clear & Brilliant

Clear + Brilliant ® is a gentle treatment that uses fractional laser technology to address and prevent the early signs of aging skin. The Clear + Brilliant® Perméa handpiece treatment is optimized for improved skin tone and texture and enhanced skin permeability which can result in enhanced absorption of skincare products when applied immediately after treatment. Without downtime or side effects, Clear & Brilliant purifies your skin and deeply cleanses it from the inside, leaving it looking clear and radiant.

The treatment will start with a consultation where we will discuss your treatment goals and determine the type and severity of your acne. Based on the assessment, we will devise a custom acne programme.

During the treatment, the practitioner will use a hand-held device to make passes over the skin-this will follow with a gentle vacuum.

This treatment is suitable for all skin types. Clear and Brilliant works well for those who have acne-prone, or oily skin and large pores. We use this treatment for those with active acne and can treat acne scarring, but for those who no longer have acne and are looking to treat their scarring alone, they may benefit more so from the PERMEA tip.

Approximately 45 minutes.

The treatment addresses three primary causes of acne, including excess oils, dead skin cells (which block the pores and can stretch their lining) and bacteria. The laser penetrates and targets bacteria while minimising oil-producing activity. It’s a non-ablative laser and heats the dermal layer beneath the skin without damaging it.

IPL

IPL laser addresses a variety of skin issues, from spots to scars, without harming healthy cells. IPL treatment can even treat cystic acne, which consists of fluid-filled cysts embedded in the skin that are painful to the touch.

  • Non-erosive polychromatic (many coloured) lights and a broad light spectrum act to blitz bacteria, reducing active acne as well as correcting superficial blemishes and redness
  • The pulsed light penetrates multiple layers of skin deep within the skinpromoting collagen synthesis to combat inflammation and reduce scarring
  • Yellow and green light targets the P. bacteria on the skin that causes inflammation
  • Red light focuses on overactive sebaceous glands that are responsible for breakouts
  • The heat created by the light promotes shrinkage of inflamed sebaceous glands and healing of the skin from the inside out
  • Each treatment is short with mild to moderate discomfort
We recommend 3-6 appointments
Before treatment:
  • Our laser technician will take you through your consultation and administer a patch test at least 48 hours before treatment
 
During treatment:
  • Our laser technician will apply a cold gel to your problem area
  • You’ll be given protective eyewear
  • The IPL probe will be administered to target your problem areas with the healing light
  • Most treatments are painless but some people may experience a mild to moderate sensation, similar to an elastic band flick
  • The treatment lasts around 30 minutes
 
After treatment:
  • As always, be careful of exposure to UV rays and remember to wear SPF protection
  • Be sure to drink plenty to encourage your body to detox and replenish

Aquapure

The Aquapure Facial is an advanced form of microdermabrasion which restores skin health and facial beauty. It is a microdermabrasion procedure which combines four treatments into one facial system to provide optimal skin rejuvenation with proven results. Each treatment is delivered through its individual handset.

Aquapeel: Exfoliates and removes impurities and nourishes the skin to leave you feeling fresh and hydrated.

ELECTROPORATION:

Conducts stable electric currents to assist in the trans-dermal delivery of nutrients into the skin.

MICRO-CURRENT

Stimulates blood circulation with a lifting and tightening effect that also promotes elastin and collagen regeneration.

COOLING/HEATING

Cooling energy is used to reduce fine lines and wrinkles while helping to enhance skin repair. The heating energy firms and tones the skin.

This treatment is suitable for all skin types. Clear and Brilliant works well for those who have acne-prone, or oily skin and large pores. We use this treatment for those with active acne and can treat acne scarring, but for those who no longer have acne and are looking to treat their scarring alone, they may benefit more so from the PERMEA tip.

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