Acne & Acne Scarring

What is acne?

Acne is a disorder of the skin’s sebaceous glands that affects over 80% of the population, commonly considered to be a problem of adolescence it can also affect adults into their 20s, 30s and 40s. Acne is a skin condition that consists of non-inflammatory lesions (blackheads, whiteheads and cysts) and inflammatory lesions such as papules (small red bumps), pustules (white/yellow squeezable spots) and inflamed nodules (large red bumps). These can occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. The effects on personal appearance caused by acne and acne scarring can cause significant psychological, social and occupational problems. It is recommended that treatment is sought as soon as possible to reduce the risk of scarring and it is worthwhile noting that treatment is not an overnight solution, and that on-going treatment may be required to keep the acne from reoccurring.

What is acne scarring?

Scarring refers to a fibrous process in which new collagen is laid down to heal an injury and it affects 25 - 30% of those with moderate or severe acne. Inflammatory acne lesions that have healed may have general redness around the lesion followed by hyper pigmentation (brown marks) or hypo pigmentation (white marks). The types of scar likely to occur are ice pick scars (pitted, indented scars), atrophic scars (flat, thin scars) or hypertrophic or keloid scars (thick lumpy scars). Some scars will never truly disappear, but many can be removed or diminished with the aid of Intense Pulse Light, skin peels, microdermabrasion and good homecare routine and products

How does Intense Pulse Light work?

The light emitted from the Intense Pulsed Light system directly targets overactive sebaceous glands, greatly reducing the total number and severity of active lesions, and lessening the inflammation and occurrence of break-outs. The light stimulates the production of new collagen to improve skin texture, and can also reduce the appearance of red or brown areas of skin that are often associated with acne breakouts. Broadband light sources such as the Lumina are the only systems that can offer shorter wavelengths for optimum bacterial destruction, whilst also getting to the deep seated bacteria existing in pustules and papules and targeting the sebaceous glands themselves.

How is the treatment carried out?

A layer of chilled gel is applied to the skin to help guide the light. The hand piece is placed onto the skin and a short pulse of light is released. The yellow light emitted destroys the P. acnes bacteria whilst the red light targets the overactive sebaceous glands that cause acne. The hand piece is then passed over the skin several times before moving onto the neighbour ing area, and the process is repeated until the whole area is treated. Each pulse of light treats a large area of skin and so the duration of the treatment is very short. The gel is removed, the skin is moisturised and an SPF30 sun cream is applied. During treatment protective eye wear will be provided.

Am I suitable for treatment?

Following a thorough consultation you will be advised of your suitability, however it you are pregnant, have very dark or tanned skin, or currently taking Roaccutane (an acne medication) Laser or Intense Pulsed Light treatment is not recommended.

How does the treatment feel?

Most clients describe the sensation as a “flick of an elastic band”, but as the treatment is very quick the mild discomfort is momentary and so no anaesthesia is required.

What should I expect after the treatment?

Immediately after treatment the skin may appear red and a warm tingling sensation may be felt. This generally subsides after an hour, but there may be some redness for up to 24 hours post treatment. The skin may be cooled and a calming gel can be applied to ease any discomfort.

Are there any side effects?

Occasionally a small blister could form or the skin may become temporarily lighter or darker. On a positive note, clients may find that their skin texture and tone have dramatically improved in addition to reduced acne.

How long does treatment take?

A typical treatment session is approximately 30 minutes. Intense Pulsed Light treatment may be combined with glycolic acid facial peels or microdermabrasion for maximum results, in which case 45 minutes to 1 hour is likely.

How many treatments are necessary?

This varies from person to person depending on the symptoms and their severity, but typically 6 Intense Pulsed Light and 6 exfoliating treatments will result in a significant improvement. Intense Pulsed Light treatments should take place fortnightly with a glycolic acid peel or microdermabrasion treatment in between Intense Pulsed Light sessions.

What are the costs likely to be?

Prices start at £95 per treatment but for further details please refer to our price guide. For a more specific cost, please contact Zap Laser clinic and book a FREE no obligation consultation and your practitioner will be happy to advise you.

What do I do next?

Prior to treatment you must first undergo a consultation where details about your medical history are obtained in order to confirm suitability. Before proceeding you will be asked to sign a consent form and undergo a test patch.

Contact Zap Laser Clinic on (0118) 9331212 for further information or to book a FREE no obligation consultation. Alternatively, complete the consultation request to send an e-mail