Acne and Acne Scarring

Acne
The common perception is that acne begins in adolescence driven by hormonal changes and by the early twenties it tends to disappear for most and decrease for the remainder. However, acne is a chronic disease and can affect patients of all ages. It is not uncommon to have patients over fifty that develop acne or are still affected by it.
 
For those who are seeking a solution for acne, The Marylebone Clinic achieves excellent results for every age group, using a number of techniques tailored to the specific skin requirements of each patient.
 
A tailored approach to treatment
 
An assessment with Dr Brazzini will determine the best course of treatment – from systemic treatments such as oral antibiotics including Roaccutane, topical treatments, laser and chemical peels.
 
N-Lite laser for acne
 
Dr Bazzini has found that N-Lite laser treatment has produced excellent results when treating patients with all forms of acne. It works by targeting the bacteria that causes acne and works well on all skin types. The N-Lite laser emits a unique light which stimulates the natural repair mechanism of the skin and kills spot-causing bacteria. It also increases the production of collagen, helping to reduce any pitting and scarring. It can be used on the face, neck, back and chest. It produces little or no side effects and there is minimal recovery time after a treatment session.
 
Clinical trials carried out by Dr Chu, Consultant Dermatologist at Charing Cross and Hammersmith Hospitals, showed that after just one treatment, improvement was usually seen at 2 – 4 weeks. After 12 weeks, 87% of patients had improved substantially with no side effects.
 
Each N-Lite treatment takes around 30 minutes and most patients require around 3 -4 sessions over a 3 month period though that can vary slightly.
 
Acne can also be dramatically improved with chemical peeling, often carried out in conjunction with or at the end of, a course of laser therapy.
 
Chemical peels for acne

Depending on the severity of the acne being treated, patients will usually have either a superficial or moderate peel and may be required to apply some topical ointments a week or two before the procedure begins. Most patients experience a tingling of the skin during the peel and a slight pink or red flush to the area being treated for a few days afterwards. They may also have slightly flaky skin during this time but their normal appearance will be fully restored in around three days.
 

Please see section on chemical peels for more information

 
 
Acne Scarring
As consequence of acne, the patient can be left with different types of scars: pitted scars, atrophic scars (pitted, rolling & box scars) and/or keloids. Depending on the type of scarring that the patient has, will determine the course of treatment that they will follow but it is likely to include a combination of microdermabrasion, chemical peels, dermal roller therapy and laser treatment. In rare cases, surgical excision may be required.

See section on scars and keloids for more details