Acne, Acne Scar Treatment, Acne Treatment
“At London Bridge Plastic Surgery our experienced surgeons and aesthetic medical nurses provide a caring professional service using state-of-the-art treatments to control active acne, reduce breakouts and improve acne scars”
Acne can occur commonly on the face, neck, and back, and can also affect the chest, arms and shoulders. These inflammatory responses are a result of sebum, bacteria and dead cells getting plugged in the pores of your skin.
Acne is not a response of bad diet or poor hygiene, and it most certainly is not a ‘just’ a cosmetic problem. Many people become extremely self conscious, making Acne a condition that can and does affect peoples’ lives.
The aim of Acne Treatment is improve the health of the skin, reduce appearance of acne spots and improve Acne Scars. The role of Our Specialist Team in Acne Treatment, is to restore self-esteem and improve the quality of life.
Your Questions
Q: What is Acne?
A: Acne describes blocked pores (blackheads and white heads), pimples and deeper lumps, often called nodules or cysts that can occur commonly on the face, neck, and back, and can also affect the chest, arms and shoulders. These inflammatory responses are a result of sebum, bacteria and dead cells getting plugged in the pores of your skin.
Acne is not a response of bad diet or poor hygiene, and it most certainly is not ‘just’ a cosmetic problem. Many people become extremely self conscious, making Acne a condition that can and does affect peoples’ lives.
Q: What causes Acne?
A: There are a few causes of Acne, Acne can result from excessive sebum or oil production, caused by an imbalance of hormones, or sensitivity to the male hormone - testosterone. Over active or abnormal natural skin exfoliation – leading to blockage of the follicle or pore causing typical Acne spots, black heads or white heads. The bacteria - Propionibacterium acne is found naturally on the skin, however when a follicle becomes clogged, this bacteria can multiply ,feeding off the trapped sebum and dead skin cells, releasing chemicals into the skin which cause inflammation - inflammatory Acne.
Q: Who gets Acne?
A: Everyone could experience some form of Acne with up to 80% of young adults having Acne. As well as teenagers, more and more men and women in their 40's and 50's are experiencing adult Acne. Patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome have abnormal levels of testerone and can suffer from severe, resistant Acne.
Q: Why should Acne be treated?
A: Acne should always be treated to prevent scarring and abnormal pigmentation. Mild Acne can often be managed by effective home care regimes but resistant Acne or moderate to severe Acne should be treated by a professional. Inflammatory Acne and Nodular Acne can cause damage to skin collagen resulting in typical Acne scars, box scars, ice pick scars, which can be difficult to treat.
Q: Why can scars occur with Acne?
A: Acne lesions cause inflammation within the dermis. The more severe the Acne lesions, the worst the inflammation, with increasing damage to the dermal collagen. Healing of the Acne lesions occur with scar tissue in the dermis. Commonly this is seen as depressed Acne scars, box scars or ice pick scars. Certain skin types are more prone to post inflammatory hyperpigmentation PIH, and the more severe the inflammation in the skin, the more intense the PIH. Dark skin (Skin of Colour), Asian or Oriental skin is more prone to PIH. Therefore, early treatment of Acne is important to reduce the risk of Scarring and Hyperpigmentation, PIH.
Q: How can you treat active Acne? 
A: Using combination therapy, Acne lesions can be treated, frequency and number of new lesions ( breakouts) can be reduced and skin health can be restored to control Acne.
Topical treatments with Retin-A are used to balance oil and sebum production. Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide face wash can be effective for mild Acne to unclog pores, and restore natural skin exfoliation.
Light therapy with Omnilux Blue Light or ISOLAZ Acne Photocleansing, are non invasive treatments to dramatically reduce P. Acne bacteria in the skin and heal inflammatory lesions. The ISOLAZ Photocleansing treatment for Acne effectively removes sebum and dead cells from blocked pores and can improve Acne spots in 24 - 48 hours. It is effective for resistant Acne that has not responded to topical and / or oral treatments.
Oral Antibiotics may be prescribed for severe inflammatory Acne and Roaccutane ( Oral Retinoid) may be beneficial to control severe resistant Acne. Roaccutane works by reducing sebum production at the same time as restoring normal skin cell trunover ( natural exfoliation) thus reducing blocked pores.
Acne is not caused by poor diet, but maintaining a healthy diet rich in antioxidants Vits A C E and minerals such as zinc will support the skin in its healing process.
Q: How is Acne scar(s) treated?
A: When Acne lesions have resolved there may be residual damage to the dermal collagen of the skin causing superficial or deep scarring. There may also be some abnormal pigmentation as a result of the inflammation..
Treatment of Acne scarring can be difficult and a combination of treatments is commonly required to achieve optimum results. Deep skin peels with TCA - Obagi Blue Peel, Fractionated LASER Resurfacing, RF Treatment, injectable products - Evolence Breeze or Restylane together with Surgiwire release of deep scarring, may be effective in improving the texture and contour of the skin. New treatments with Radiofrequency, RF, the Dermaroller and mesotherapy to boost collagen production in the skin can also be beneficial.
Q: What reassurance do I have with Acne, Acne Scar Treatment?
A: At LBPS, we understand that your decision to have Acne, Acne Scar Treatment, can be a daunting and anxious time for you. Our aim is to fully understand your concerns and desires, and assess your Skin and Acne, Acne Scarring accurately, before agreeing on a treatment plan which is in your best interest. If for any reason you are unsuitable for Acne, Acne Scar Treatment, you will be advised against Acne Treatment. We will provide you with all the information you need and support before, during your Acne, Acne Scar Treatment.
Q What is the cost of Acne, Acne Scar Treatment?
A: The cost for Acne, Acne Scar Treatment will vary depending on the treatment(s) required. An accurate quotation can only be provided following your consultation.
