Acne is very common in adolescents, but can appear for the first time in the mid twenties, or even later, and persist in a significant number of people through their forties or even fifties.
Severe acne can have a huge psychological impact. It can destroy your self-confidence and even shape the way you live your life.
Unfortunately the vast majority of conventional acne treatments focus on the symptoms - i.e. helping to reduce inflammation and infection - not the cause of acne. The Private Clinic has helped to develop a treatment that targets the bacteria that causes the infection. By destroying the bacteria present in the skin, the NLite laser can clear acne sometimes in just a few sessions.
- Non-invasive laser treatment
- All procedures are performed by fully qualified nurses and laser practitioners with extensive experience in this field
- Our acne treatments have been featured on ITV’s This Morning and Embarrassing Illnesses on CH4
Unlike other lasers, NLite is suitable for all skin types and can treat the face, neck, back and chest.
If you suffer from severe acne and have been trying over the counter remedies or prescription medication unsuccessfully, the NLite could be the solution for you.
Consultations are free of charge and are available at our clinics in London, Birmingham and Manchester.
Acne is a skin condition not always easy to treat and for most patients it takes weeks to see some results but if you keep up with your treatment, you could finally rid yourself of active acne and at the same time minimise your risks of developing facial pitted scars.
You can book our free consultation online today or
Call 0800 599 9911.
Your Questions Answered
- What Causes Acne?
- Treatment for Acne
- Over the counter products
- Prescription treatments
- NLite
- What is NLite?
- How does the treatment work?
- Does the treatment hurt?
- Is it safe?
- How long does the treatment take?
- How many treatments will I need?
- Are there any side effects?
- How much does it cost?
- What happens now?
What Causes Acne?
The processes that cause acne are exactly the same in people with all skin colours but the impact of acne can be worse if you have darker skin.
The surface of your skin has lots of small sebaceous glands just below the surface. These glands make sebum (a natural oil) that keeps the skin smooth and supple. Acne is caused by over-activity of the sebaceous glands that secrete excessive oily substances on to your skin.
For some people, their acne doesn’t progress beyond blackheads and whiteheads. However, in other people the build-up of oil in the hair follicles creates an ideal environment for a bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes which inflames the skin and creates the redness associated with spots. In more severe inflammatory acne, cysts develop beneath the skin’s surface. If these cysts rupture, the infection can spread. This can result in scars.
Treatment for Acne
There is a wide range of treatments available, depending largely on the severity of the condition.
Over the counter products
To treat minimal and mild acne, there are a number of over-the-counter remedies available from pharmacies, which usually contain antibacterial agents such as benzoyl peroxide (eg Oxy and Clearasil Max).
Be aware especially of those products you can buy over the counter which claim to be “fast-acting”. The reality is that most acne treatments take several weeks or months to work.
If you’ve used an over the counter treatment for a couple of months and it hasn’t helped, your doctor can prescribe treatment.
Prescription treatments
If you have severe acne, there are several creams and lotions you may be prescribed. For all, it can take between 4 weeks and 3 months for people to have fewer spots.
Retinoids (eg Adapalene) are popular creams prescribed for acne. They are based on vitamin A. The side effects of retinoid creams or gels are similar to sunburn. You shouldn’t use retinoid if you’re pregnant as it may cause birth defects.
Antibiotic lotions can also be prescribed in case of severe acne. Antibiotic gels and creams are better at getting rid of red or inflamed spots. They don’t help as much with whiteheads and blackheads. If you’ve tried antibiotic gels or creams and they haven’t worked, your doctor may suggest antibiotic tablets. You’ll need to keep taking them every day for around 3 months and they can cause side effects, including diarrhoea, an upset stomach, nausea and vomiting. More serious side effects including liver problems are rare, but your doctor may want to keep a check on you just in case. There are some types of antibiotic that can’t be taken if you are pregnant. The success of this treatment can be limited because bacteria are often resistant to common antibiotics.
Isotretinoin (or Roaccutane) - also known as oral retinoid - is prescribed in case of severe forms of acne. For safety reasons, it is only prescribed under the supervision of a dermatologist as it may cause a number of serious side-effects, including skin problems and hair loss; it can affect your liver and your cholesterol level, it can cause diarrhea, drowsiness and problems with your bones and vision. You shouldn’t take isotretinoin if you’re pregnant, as it’s very dangerous to an unborn baby. Doctors are also worried that isotretinoin could cause depression, aggressive behavior or suicidal thoughts.
NLite
At The Private Clinic we offer a non-invasive treatment for acne with very limited side effect and minimal downtime. The Nlite laser technology targets the cause of your acne and not the symptoms, this way improving your skin, preventing new acne from developing and reducing the risks of pitted scars.
Acne is not always easy to treat. You may have already tried a number of over the counter products unsuccessfully, especially in case of severe acne. You may have tried prescribed medication but not achieved the desired results or you may prefer to avoid taking strong oral tablets such as Roaccutane or other antibiotic based creams and pills, due to the possible effects or for the routine involved. If so, the Nlite could be the treatment for you.
The Nlite targets the bacteria that cause the infection. Courses are short and most patients start noticing an improvement in their condition in just 2 sessions.
What is NLite?
NLite laser has been described as the most significant advance in acne treatment for decades.
Consultant Dermatologist Dr Chu’s clinical trials revealed that following a single treatment, improvement was often seen at two to four weeks. After 12 weeks 87% of patients had improved substantially and suffered no adverse side effects.
In light of these and more findings, NLite gained full FDA approval for inflammatory active acne.
Unlike other lasers, NLite is suitable for all skin types and can treat a number of areas including face, neck, back and chest.
How does the treatment work?
The SmartPulse™ laser light targets the bacteria that cause the infection and stimulates the natural mechanism repair of the skin. By destroying the bacteria present in the skin, the laser light can clear acne sometimes in just a few sessions.
Nlite also has a collagen replenishment application, which helps repair the damage caused by acne infection and reduces the risk of scarring. As a result, NLite treatment has a long-lasting beneficial effect on the overall texture of the skin
Does the treatment hurt?
Unlike other laser resurfacing treatments it is a painless procedure with minimal downtime. You will feel a tingling sensation as the laser light is absorbed in the skin.
Is it safe?
Yes, if performed by highly experienced practitioners.
Our laser treatments are carried out by nurses and laser practitioners who are amongst the most experienced in the country in this field. We have performed more Nlite treatments to date than any other Clinic in the UK.
How long does the treatment take?
It takes as little as 30 minutes for a full facial treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
Acne treatments require time to work and Nlite is generally administered as a series of 3 sessions. Some patients may require additional sessions.
You would normally see first results within two weeks, with continued improvement over the following three months.
Acne clearance has been shown to last over nine months. Regular maintenance treatments may be required after that.
Are there any side effects?
Side effects are negligible so you should be able to resume your normal routine straightaway.
You can have a treatment during your lunch break and in most cases return to work with no visible signs of treatment.
How much does it cost?
NLite treatments start from £250.
Our mission is to offer the most advanced treatments at the most competitive prices – we aim to give Harley Street service at High Street prices.
What happens now?
We offer free, no obligation consultations in both London, Birmingham and Manchester. This is an opportunity for us to learn more about what you want to achieve and for you to ask any questions you may have. As well as talking you through your treatment options, our friendly staff will give you more information on the treatment process and what you can expect as a patient of The Private Clinic.
You can book your free consultation online or call 0800 599 9911
