Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people and is characterised by comedones and pus-filled spots. It often starts in puberty and varies in severity. Spots develop on the skin, usually on the face, back and chest.
Over 80% of people will suffer with acne at some point during their life, with many cases continuing beyond the teenage year.
The spots can range from surface blackheads, small, blocked pores, and whiteheads, small, hard bumps with a white centre – which are often mild – to deep, inflamed, pus-filled pustules and cysts, which can be severe and long-lasting and lead to scarring.
Causes of Acne
Causes of acne have not yet been clarified fully; however current theories is that it involves four main events: follicular hyperconification, increased sebum secretion effected by the androgenic hormone secretions, colonization of Propionibacterium acnes and inflammation.
Acne is predominantly caused due to the way skin reacts to hormonal changes. The skin contains sebaceous glands that naturally release sebum, an oily substance that helps protect it. During puberty, raised levels of the hormone testosterone can cause too much sebum to be produced. This happens in both boys and girls.
The sebum can block hair follicles. When dead skin cells mix with the blockage, it can lead to the formation of spots. Bacteria in the skin multiply, which can cause pain and swelling (inflammation) beneath the blockages
There are different kinds of spots which in term lead to acne: Blackheads are small, blocked pores, Whiteheads are small, hard bumps with a white centre, Pustules are spots with a lot of pus visible. Nodules are hard, painful lumps under the skin.
Acne Treatments
At the London Medical and Aesthetic Clinic, we combine our expertise with the latest technology to treat active acne and deep acne scars as well.
We aim to treat the root cause of the acne problem, by offering a range of treatment options from medically prescribed skin products (ZO Skin Health, Obagi and VI Peel) to treat active acne and improve the quality of the skin at the same time.
In severe acne cases, systemic antibiotics such as tetracycline and Doxycycline, oral Retinoids, and some hormones are indicated. Medications work by counteracting microcomedone formation, sebum production and inflammation.
Obagi
Obagi skin care are medically prescribed products and they are much more powerful and effective than over-the-counter products, therefore, they must be used prescribed by a specialist. Obagi products are very effective in treating acne and can dramatically improve the condition of the skin.
Obagi Nu-Derm system is a doctor-dispensed, prescription strength skin care system that can transform skin at a cellular level. It restores the function of the skin cells and is clinically proven to result in clearer, younger and healthier-looking skin.
This can be achieved by stimulating skin cell renewal, improving circulation and rebuilding collagen, the unique Obagi system works breathes new life into unhealthy skin. Obagi Nu-Derm combines a skin care product with a day moisturiser, eye cream and spot concealer. Utilising all four products ensures maximum skin rejuvenation.
Obagi Clenziderm penetrates the root of acne to clear skin quickly. It contains a patented, solubilized for of 5% benzoyl peroxide (BPO) to penetrate deep into the follicle to treat acne where it starts. Obagi treatments are clinically proven to better penetrate the follicles for effective P. acnes bacteria reduction and rapid lesion reduction.
The bacteria in the skin is successfully destroyed and the acne is cleared leaving the patient with smooth, fresh, healthy looking skin.
LED Laser Mask
The LED Mask is the latest and the most advanced Laser technology used to rejuvenate and treat a multitude of conditions without the need of surgery or injections. The non-invasive LED laser is suitable for all skin types.
All conditions which require stimulation of collagen, fast healing, relief of pain and inflammation, and restoration of function can be treated and addressed by the LED Laser Mask .
LED Laser Mask has the ability to treat acne by stimulating collagen, healing infected skin and reducing inflammation.
The LED Laser mask treatment is painless, taking between 20-40 minutes depending on the conditions. Patients can expect to see an improvement in their acne and a reduction in breakouts.
LustrePro Blue Light
Lustre Pro is a revolutionary new technology to treat acne spots. Lustre Pure Light Pro harnesses the safe, natural blue part of the visible light spectrum and uses clinically proven technology to eliminate spot-causing bacteria, while also being gentle on skin.
Lustre Pure Light Pro is a clinical-strength light technology to treat spots at home. The technology is so effective it only needs to be worn for 20 minutes per session. The treatment targets the bacteria that actually causes the infection.
The LustrePro Blue Light treatment has the ability to kill the bacteria in the skin and clear the acne leaving the patient with smooth and healthy skin.
Before and After photo gallery.
Treatments for Acne Scars
At our clinic, we offer different treatment options for deep acne scars, tailored to each patients individual needs. The treatments include Sculptra – Sculptra, Smartskin CO2 laser, Chemical peels, and Dermaroller. In some cases, we combine two or three treatments to give the best possible results.
Sculptra – Collagen Stimulation Subcision
Sculptra – Collagen Stimulation is a long lasting, clinically proven, non-invasive, injectable treatment designed to smooth and soften the skin and restore facial volume in a natural way, in addition having the ability to treat deep acne scars permanently.
Dr Ayham Al-Ayoubi was the first facial plastic surgeon to use Sculptra subcision technique to treat deep acne scars permanently.
The unique Sculptra collagen replenishing treatment gradually reduces acne scars once the scar has been subsided with a very fine needle. By replenishing the body’s own facial collagen and restore lost volume, it can give a fuller, more natural looking results.
Poly-L-lactic acid, the main ingredient of Sculptra – Collagen Stimulation has been used successfully in surgical procedures for more than 40 years.
Sculptra – Collagen Stimulation works within the deep dermis, the skin’s structure, and replaces lost collagen. This reinforced collagen structure provides a foundation that gradually restores the look of fullness of shallow to deep facial scars that have been left after acne.
CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing
The Performa fractional CO2 micro ablative laser skin re-surfacing treatment is a safe and effective way to treat acne scars.
Performa CO2 laser is the most sophisticated laser in tissue rejuvenation and skin resurfacing technology with fast, visible results. The procedure has minimal downtime and post-treatment the skin will be smoother, fresher and more youthful.
Laser skin resurfacing uses a specially crafted beam of thermal energy that breaks down and removes only the very outer layers of the skin. This leaves the skin more even as well as encouraging new skin to grow, resulting in a healthier and fresher look.
The small areas treated by the the SmartSkin CO2 Performa fractional micro beams, called micro treatment zones, cause enough laser injury to promote new collagen production and resultant facial skin rejuvenation. Smart Skin is an ablative laser, which means it removes the outermost top layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum. The heat from the laser light also reaches the dermis, however, where it remodels the skin by stimulating the formation of new collagen, the protein that gives skin youthful, healthy-looking volume.
Smartskin CO2 laser delivers a specific wavelength of laser light into the skin which both targets the bacteria which causes infection and at the same time stimulates the skins immune systems to reduce inflammation and repair the damage caused by infection. It can also promote the production of collagen so can also improve the skin structure and texture and smooth scarring.
Dermalroller
Dermalrollers can significantly improve the appearance of acne scars. Sculptra Therapy can be done on all areas of the face and body and is suitable for all skin types and colours on men and women.
Dermal roller Therapy provides advanced micro-medical skin-needling, a procedure that stimulates the skin to regenerate and repair itself naturally and safely. It harnesses the body’s natural powers of healing to achieve smoother, healthier and younger looking skin.
A specifically designed device which contains numerous micro-needles is used to create thousands of microscopic channels in the lower levels of the skin. This ensures minimal bleeding and induces regeneration via the wound-healing process.
