The treatments at this clinic complement what is available in the NHS. It is important to not rely on just one treatment for acne.
With increasing antibiotic resistance novel ways are constantly evolving in the treatment of acne. For example, treatments such as Spironolactone which is licensed for a variety of medical uses) have been found to have evidence of effectiveness in women with acne (but are not used first line).
National guidelines for acne in the NHS also don’t include much on acne scarring and pigmentation which are important consequences of acne.
Why have a consultation for acne?
There are several effective over the counter and prescribed treatments for acne but sometimes they don’t give you clearer skin. There is a range of effective treatments which work on different principles and technologies. Each treatment has advantages and disadvantages which will depend on your genetics, lifestyle, budget and general preference. The purpose of the consultation process is to help to guide you through the different treatments and find the best option for you. The NHS has limited capability for treating pigmentation relating to acne and acne scarring.
You may have diagnosed your own acne, but there can be other skin conditions that may look similar.
There are different types of acne and you may have other skin conditions present. The condition of your skin needs to be assessed and any important medical history needs to be known as certain conditions or medications may exclude certain treatments. If you have skin of colour, a slightly different approach may need to be taken because of the increased risk of pigment problems associated with acne. You must advise the clinic if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy as some treatments can’t be used.
What treatments for acne are available at this clinic?
It is important to understand that treatment can take several months, multiple treatments are needed and patience is needed. Regular contact with the clinic is essential to success to ensure that the products are being used correctly, and to support you through what is happening with your skin. Your skincare recommendations will change over time.
This clinic offers the following for acne:
- Skin care programmes for use at home (please scroll down the page for more information on some of the different skin care ranges used for acne). This clinic uses mainly Zo Skin Health, Neostrata and Obagi for acne
- Chemical skin peels for use in clinic or at home (a series of 4-6 peels are generally required). Some peels, such as the Vi Peel or Retinol Peel have down time which means peeling – others don’t such as the Neostrata Prosystem Peel or Zo Skin Health acne and oil control peels
- Dermalux LED light treatment. (adjunctive treatment)
- Prescribed treatments
You will be asked to schedule in regular appointments (which are free of charge as long as you are on a current programme with the clinic) to support you and monitor your progress. If you do not attend a complementary scheduled follow up appointment or give less than 48 hours’ notice of cancellation a £25 charge will be applied if you wish to have another follow up appointment.
What treatments are available for acne scarring?
The term ‘scarring’ refers to a fibrous process in which new collagen is laid down to heal a full thickness injury. It is thought to affect 30% of those with moderate or severe acne vulgaris.
The approach taken to soften the appearance of acne scarring will depend on your overall skin condition, what type of scars are present and other factors specific to the treatment.
Scarring can be described as rolling, ice-pick or boxcar
- Chemical Peels, including Vi Peel, Neostrata Prosystem Peel, Retinol Peel, Obagi Blue Peel Radiance, ZO Skin Health.
- Cleopatra retexture treatment
- Dermaroller XCellaris Pro Twist microneedling
- Polynucleotides
- WOW fusion micro needling
- Platelet Rich Plasma using the WOW fusion device
Which Specialist Skin Care brands are available?
The emphasis is on skin care protocols rather than individual products. Skin care ranges available at at this clinic are generally not available on the High Street or sold online. This is because there is a great deal of technology that goes into each product and to be able to sell these products to customers training has been undertaken.
Results will not be seen overnight as your skin undergoes a gradual transformation, so you will need to have trust in the protocols that are tailored for you.
Some products are directly sold through the clinic, and others can be purchased through the Get Harley service which is useful for replenishing some ranges.
SKIN CARE RANGES
- a Whistle stop tour
Zo Skin Health
Zo is a luxury brand which takes a complete cultural change to skin care. This range is not suitable in pregnancy. The process of skin care starts with ‘Getting Skin Ready.’ (Steps 1-3 of the infographic below).
Getting Skin Ready
Preparation of the skin is essential for optimising the results of the products that follow. This is known as ‘Getting Skin Ready’. You will need to get into the habit of cleansing, exfoliating and toning regularly at home. The programme chosen for you will depend on how severe your acne is. There are several different products to use in a specific order.
Neostrata Clarify range for acne
A targeted collection of products for troubled skin types, such as oily and acne prone skin. The Clarify collection uses the exfoliation power of Glycolic and Mandelic Acid, along with NeoGlucosamine, to help clarify surface texture for smoother and healthy skin. Some of the products are summarised below.
A different segment of the Neostrata range is needed for preparation for peels.
Neostrata Clarify Mandelic Clarifying Cleanser is a soap-free foaming gel cleanser formulated with Mandelic Acid, a gentle yet effective Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) that is ideal for exfoliating oily skin. It also contains a Polyhydroxy acid and Salicylic Acid, known to help clarify pores and improve skin texture. It is ideal for normal, oily and acne prone skin types.
Oily skin solution – pore minimizing toner is a non alcoholic solution containing 8% Glycolic Acid, an Alpha Hydroxy Acid (to exfoliate skin and target clogged pores and excess surface oil. Formulated to exfoliate, clarify and help tighten pores. This high-strength AHA formula is designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Ideal for oily and acne prone skin. Best used in the eveing with a cotton bud or cotton pad after cleansing or throughout the day as tolerated.
Neostrata Clarify sheer hydration with sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 20 is a daily oil free sunscreen formulated with NeoGlucosamine, a gentle exfoliator that helps diminsh the appearance of dark spots and a botanical blend to target oiliness without irritation. It provides skin with the hydration it needs without clogging pores or causing breakouts. (Chemical sunscreen)
ESK
ESK is a premium Australian skincare brand with a strong mission to create products that are evidence based, effective, easy to use and ethical. The brand is committed to using only ingredients which have been scientifically proven to be effective in protecting, nourishing, targeting and repairing signs of aging, acne, rosacea and managing sensitive skin.
The clinic will help you with a skin care protocol for acne prone skin and there is a product which is helpful in acne scarring
Obagi
The Clenziderm system is a 3 product system designed to work together as a clinically proven solution to being clearing acne in as little as one week.
It can be used in mild to moderate acne, and requires a commitment to use the 3 products. Some people will experience stinging at the outset. The system uses 5% solubilized benzoyl peroxide.
Results can be enhanced with regular Obagi Blue Peel Radiance Peels
The Obagi Nu Derm Skin transformation programme is a 24 week programme which can used for pigmentation and acne. There is a programme for dry skin and a programme for oily skin which is used for acne clients.
Skin Better Science
The principle of this brand is that remarkable results can be achieved simply through purposeful product innovation, which is why they leverage advanced chemistry to help skincare products do more.
Hydropeptide
Anti-aging, epigenetic skincare that’s clinically proven and a pleasure to use. HydroPeptide, we use the leading-edge science of epigenetics plus a sensory expertise to formulate results-driven, luxurious skin care products
Clinic treatments
Using a similar process to Hydrafacial, the Retexture treatment takes 50-80 minutes. It is dermal abrasion and microchannelling.
6 treatments are recommended every 3-4 weeks. Maintenance treatments are recommended every quarter.
Benefits: Clean, soften and minimize pore size, improve the overall texture of skin, help to control oil production, help with deeper penetration of products and re-hydration
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS Swelling, Bruising, Skin irritation, Redness, Dryness
Chemical Skin Peels
A series of peels are needed to get results across all the ranges
The Neostrata Prosystem peels are very versatile. Most commonly used on the face, they can be used as tolerated on other body areas such as the chest, back, shoulders, décolletage, neck, hands and feet (eyelids are excluded). This is particularly useful if acne is affecting the body as well as the face.
• A series of 4-6 brief, in-office procedures are recommended; some patients may require additional peels to achieve optimal results.
• Peels can be performed at 3-4 week intervals, as long as the skin has fully healed and there were no complications. If skin is not fully healed, increase to 4-6 weeks or longer as needed.
This peel does not have down time if the skin is adequately prepared
The Neostrata prosystem retinol peel can be used to soften the appearance of acne scarring.
Retinol, Aminofil and NeoCitriate formula reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, laxity, mottled pigmentation and pore size, and enhances clarity/radiance
On days 3-7 expect visible exfoliation and skin sensitivity.
The Vi Peel range of peels has a long track history of use across all different skin types.
The Vi Peel purify precision plus peel has been particularly useful for those with darker skins experiencing acne, post acne hyperpigmentation and reducing the appearance of scarring.
There will be peeling in the week after the procedure and specific products need to be used at specific times of day in the week after the peel.
There is an iphone App to help guide you through the process
Zo Skin Health Acne and oil control peel is a customized peel that give the opportunity to try several different products from the Zo Skin Health range.
The Acne and Oil Control Peel treatment helps to boost the at home regime to clear skin and prevent breakouts. It is indicated for acne and oily rosacea.
Approximate procedure time: 50 minutes
Optimum Results: Every week for a month
Maintenance: Every 4-6 weeks
- Fine lines, wrinkles & light melasma
- Pigmentary changes due to acne in darker skin
- Uneven skin tone, laxity & texture issues
- Boost outcome of other systems such as CLENZIderm
Polynucleotides
These are injections that have a range of benefits for skin quality. There is some evidence of benefits for people with acne scarring (atrophic). This can be used near the scar or in the scar.
A course of Polynucleotides acts as a great primer to help to improve results before other procedures.
Dermaroller Xcellaris ProTwist - Medical Grade Microneedling for acne scarring
If scarring after acne is the main concern, it is best to book a course of 6 treatments.
The acne scarring basic package of 3 treatments includes:
- XCellaris Pro Deep Cleanser 300 ml – Crewe Hair and Skin Clinic 01270 747 393
- XCellaris Intense Hydration Mask 18ml Pack of 5 – Crewe Hair and Skin Clinic 01270 747 393
- XCellaris Pro CC Cream – Crewe Hair and Skin Clinic 01270 747 393
If 6 treatments were purchased together the additional would also include:
The treatment for acne scarring involves the use of the 1mm WOW fusion device with Botulinum Toxin in the first time plus either the HA Factor, RVit or Age Complex, depending on your skin assessment.
Treatment is repeated without toxin every month and then with toxin every 3 months until the skin improves.
For acne scarring microneedling and PRP should be done every 2 weeks for a total of 3-6 sessions.
The literature indicates that more improvement is seen in boxcar and ice pick scars than with rolling scars.
I've tried lots of treatments for acne. How can I know what treatments are more likely to work for me?
Your DNA can have an impact on which treatments are likely to work. You can have a personalised product made up for you from a compounding Pharmacy – or the information will help you to select certain skincare products which are more likely to work for you.
Example of an acnetest summary
