• Acne
• Classification of Acne Vulgaris
• With your GP or dermatologist
• Treatment Procedure for Acne at St Mellion Clinic
• What will the treatment be like?

Acne

is described as a disease that affects the sebaceous follicles and hair follicles of the skin.

Acne typically begins during adolescence, when hormonal changes cause the enlargement and obstruction of sebaceous glands by bacteria in the skin, causing acne. These multiply deep in the hair follicle and produce inflamed pus-filled spots.

Secondary causes

• Hyperandrogenism
• Cushing's Disease
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Classification of Acne Vulgaris

Obstructive Acne

• Open Comedones (Black heads)
• Closed Comedones (White heads)

Inflammatory Acne (in order of lesion formation)

• Papules
• Pustules
• Nodules

• Cysts
• Scars

This typically causes painful, inflamed pustules of acne to cyst, which can appear on the face, chest, back, limbs and virtually any other parts of the body.

Post-adolescent acne is on the rise. We are now seeing that acne can persist into the late twenties and thirties or even beyond. Some people are now getting acne for the first time as adults.

With your GP or dermatologist:

• Topical antibiotic
• Hormone treatment for acne
• Oral retinoid for acne

Clinical Procedure for Ance at St Mellion Clinic

• Laser Treatment
• Microdermabrasion
• Chemical Peel

Laser Treatment

Blue light is very efficient at destroying the acne bacteria, however its very small skin penetration depths limit is effect on bacteria in deep blocked pores. Recent studies indicate that yellow/green light, with its greater skin penetration, is more effective. Infra-red wavelengths also combat the symptoms of active acne, as these wavelengths penetrate into the sebaceous glands and limit their activity.It is now thought that reversible thermal damage to sebaceous glands can result in long term remission from acne.

LUMINA Q Intense Pulsed Light systems is ideal at treating the multiple aspects of acne, as they release in a single pulse the wide range of light colours required to destroy the bacteria through-out the skin and control sebaceous activity. Successful treatment often incorporates the use of a chemical peel prior to Intense Pulsed Light treatment. The peel exfoliates the dead skin cells that together with the sebum block the pores and cause the pustules, and helps the light penetrate the skin.

A specific number of treatments cannot be guaranteed, as acne is a complicated condition with physiological and psychological components, however most clients achieve a significant reduction in the severity and frequency of pustule outbreaks following a course of six treatments

What will the treatment be like?

The procedure is as follows for all Lumina Q System treatments:

1. Dr Patel will always carry out the treatment.
2. The area to be treated is prepared.
3. A clear, hypo-allergenic gel is applied to cool the skin.
4. The Pulsar Applicator is then applied directly to the skin and the selected area is treated via a series of intense bursts of light. Each burst of light represents a 5cm2 treated area.