Acne Clinic

Here at Sandon Court Clinic’s Spot and  Acne Clinic we offer a range of treatments and products that help clear up mild to moderate acne and can, in moderate to severe acne, work in conjunction with medication your doctor has given you. 

We are also one of the few clinics chosen to introduce Lustre, a home blue light therapy for acne.

We offer 3 simple treatment packages (adapted to your individual needs) to deal with mild, moderate or severe acne.  Our consultations are free of charge and will offer help and advice on spots and acne as well as recommend a treatment regime.

Here are some important points to remember regarding treatment:

• Treatment is available that clears acne and prevents scarring.
• Early treatment minimizes the severity of acne. 
• Acne treatment may last for months and often years.
• Improvement can be slow, and will often take a few weeks to work.
• All treatments can cause an initial flare of your acne.
• There is no “one treatment for all” available. A treatment that works very well in one patient may have little or no effect in someone else.
• You can cover the visible lesions whilst being treated to improve appearance.

Treatment Choices

Topical Treatments

Topical treatments are products applied directly to the skin. They have different actions such as:

• Decreasing sebum
• Unblocking follicles
• Destroying P. acnes bacteria
• Exfoliation of dead skin cells

Topical treatments  are available to buy in the clinic and can be very helpful for mild and moderate acne with prices from £25.

At the Spot and Acne Clinic, we sell and prescribe products in higher concentrations than are commercially available.  The most commonly used medications are:

• Benzoyl peroxide (BPO)
• Retinoid gels
• Salicylic acid
• Antibiotic gels

A particularly useful option is to incorporate a range of products in a complete set. Our preferred ranges are the Dermaquest Acne range and CLENZIderm M.D  made by OBAGI.

Oral Treatments

Oral treatments are tablets or capsules, taken by mouth. The majority of people with mild acne will not require oral treatments if they are given the appropriate topical therapy. However some forms of acne, especially cystic acne, respond very well to oral medication and are usually prescribed if you have visited your GP but we are able to offer private prescriptions.

Oral antibiotics

Patients who do not respond to topical treatments may be prescribed antibiotic tablets. It is our view that antibiotics are overused and it is important to understand that they only help in some forms of acne. They can be used as add-on therapy when topical products are not sufficient.

Dianette

Dianette is an oral contraceptive pill which can be useful for women who find that their acne is related to their periods. The pill contains a drug called cyproterone acetate which prevents certain hormones from stimulating the sebaceous gland. Studies have shown that it can be as effective as a long course of antibiotics, even when used on its own.

Isotretinoin

This is a very powerful oral medication which is commonly known in the UK as Roaccutane. Isotretinoin remains the most effective treatment for severe acne or acne that does not respond to other treatments. Isotretinoin treats all causes of acne: excess sebum, clogged pores and inflammation. A derivative of vitamin A, it can be extremely effective but is reserved for severe forms of acne and can only be prescribed by a Dermatologist. Patients taking Isotretinoin need close monitoring by their specialist due to its severe side effect profile.

Peels

Mild skin peels can be performed with agents called alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). The acids cause the top layers of skin to exfoliate and therefore reduce the chances of pores getting clogged.

Studies have shown that salicylic acid, a BHA, is the most effective agent to use in the treatment of acne. As well as causing exfoliation, the salicylic acid also appears to reduce sebum secretion.

Generally, no anaesthesia is needed for AHA peels since they result in only a slight stinging sensation during application. Protecting skin from sun exposure is vital following AHA peels.

Salicylic peels can be combined with Microdermabrasion for added benefit.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion uses powdered crystals to gently abrade the skin surface, while at the same time a suction device removes the skin cells and crystals.
Once the outer layer of skin has been removed, the layers of skin beneath increase their production of new skin cells to renew the surface layer. It can be useful for mild acne as it removes the debris that can clog pores. It is often combined with a course of skin peels.

This procedure can be repeated every week for a course of 4 to 8 sessions. Maintenance treatments can then be scheduled every three or four months. Treatment usually takes around 30 minutes. The treatment is virtually painless and does not require any anaesthetic.

Light and IPL laser therapy

Light and IPL (Intense Pulse Light) therapy is increasingly being used in the treatment of various skin conditions. The blue light helps destroy bacteria and we have a strong clinical blue light treatment as well as a milder one for home use.

Acne Scarring

Acne scarring can be as distressing as acne itself.  If the acne has not been treated at an early stage it can leave scarring.  There are several treatments we have available that can help with this problem.

1)Topical creams (Tretinoin)

Retinoid creams may improve very fine scarring. They work by stimulating collagen production to repair damaged skin.

2) Chemical Peels (AHA peels)

Chemical Peels may improve overall skin tone and reduce pigmentation marks but have little effect on deep scars.

3) Skin fillers

Injectable dermal fillers can be used to fill up atrophic (indented) scars. The results can be seen immediately, but are temporary and need to be repeated.

4) Skin Camouflage/Cover-up

These products are useful during treatment of active acne when there is a break out. This may be the only option for someone who cannot tolerate other options. Some products are designed to be used after procedures such as laser or skin peels but act as cover up allowing the skin to heal (see Lycogel)

5) Dermaroller

Genuine Dermaroller™ Therapy provides advanced micro-medical skin-needling, a procedure that stimulates the skin to regenerate and repair itself naturally and safely, creating smoother, brighter, healthier, younger-looking skin.

After a Genuine Dermaroller™ Therapy procedure your body will start to regenerate and repair the skin, working below the surface in the dermis. This takes time as new collagen is formed, new skin cells are generated and blood supply is enhanced. It can take up to 6 weeks before visible signs of regeneration and repair are seen. The process will continue over the following months, providing you with a natural, long lasting enhancement.

Your practitioner will normally recommend that your Genuine Dermaroller™ Therapy consists of a series of three Genuine Dermaroller™ procedures with approximately 6 weeks between them .

All our consultations are free of charge and without obligation and are done with the utmost discretion and understanding.  Simply call us on 01752 222107 to book yours with Amanda, Our Skin Specialist.