Acne Treatment

Acne is a disorder of the skin's sebaceous glands that affects over 80% of the population aged 14-30. Although commonly considered to be an adolescence problem, 25% of people affected by acne in their teens will go on to develop permanent scars.

The effects on personal appearance caused by acne and the resultant scarring can cause significant psychological, social and occupational problems if left untreated.

Current treatments show limited success for most people and involve long-term use of antibiotics, or isotretinoin administration, with its associated severe side effects.

It has been shown that the major cause of acne, Propionibacterium Acnes can be destroyed by the application of light. Blue light (wavelength ~400nm) is most efficient at destroying the bacteria, however, at these short wavelengths, skin penetration depths are very small and it is difficult for light to penetrate the skin sufficiently to target bacteria in deep blocked pores.

Recent studies seem to indicate that yellow light (~585nm), which has a greater skin penetration depth than blue light, is more effective in vivo at targeting the bacteria that causes acne.

Infrared wavelengths (greater than ~750nm) have also been shown to combat acne. These long wavelengths can penetrate the skin to cause heating of the overactive sebaceous glands. It is thought that reversible thermal damage to sebaceous glands can result in long-term remission from acne.

Broadband light sources such as the Lumina are the only systems that can offer shorted wavelengths from optimum surface bacterial destruction, whilst also getting to the deep-seated bacteria existing in pustules and papules and damaging the sebaceous glands themselves.

We offer and informative, free no obligation consultation where your skin can be assessed and any concerns you have addressed. An accurate written quote, which is valid for six months, is also given so you can make an informed decision regarding any treatment you may undertake.