IPL & Laser Acne
Procedure time
60 mins
Full recovery
same day
Anaesthetic
none
Results duration
permanent
Results
4-8 treatments
Risks
very low
- What is Acne?
- What should I expect after the treatment?
- How does the treatment feel?
- Am I suitable for laser acne treatment?
- How many treatments are recommended?
- Are there any side effects?
- How does Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) work?
What is Acne?
Acne is a very common skin condition that affects 95% of teenagers and adults to some extent over the course of their lifetime. Acne is commonly triggered by hormonal changes. In response, the sebaceous gland (found in the hair follicle) produces too much oil, or ‘sebum’, which captures dead skin, debris and, in turn, clogs up the follicles. Bacteria builds up in the sebaceous (oil-producing) gland which travels up the hair follicle and out to the skin’s surface, this results in blackheads, whiteheads, red or pus-filled spots, and inflamed skin. Acne is easily recognised by the appearance of the spots on the face, neck, chest, or back.
What should I expect after the treatment?
Immediately after treatment the skin may appear red and a warm tingling sensation may be felt. Typically the skin is cooled to ease any discomfort and a calming gel is applied.
How does the treatment feel?
Treatment is mildly uncomfortable but no anaesthesia is required. Many people describe the sensation as similar to the flick of an elastic band. However,
Am I suitable for laser acne treatment?
Almost everyone can be treated, apart from very dark skinned or tanned individuals. If you
are pregnant or taking Roaccutane (an acne medication) it is best not to undergo laser or
Intense Pulsed Light treatment.
How many treatments are recommended?
The number of treatments necessary varies from person to person, but typically 6 Intense Pulsed Light and 6 exfoliating treatments will result in a significant improvement.
Are there any side effects?
The treated area can become quite red immediately after treatment but this usually disappears within a couple of hours. Most people experience no other side effects but very rarely a small blister could form or the skin may become temporarily lighter or darker.
How does Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) work?
The light emitted from the Intense Pulsed Light system directly targets overactive sebaceous glands, greatly reducing the total number and severity of active lesions, and lessening the inflammation and occurrence of break-outs. The light stimulates the production of new collagen to improve skin texture, and can also reduce the appearance of red or brown areas of skin that are often associated with acne breakouts.