A gentle treatment that addresses both the p.acne bacteria, as well as the pigmentation and redness of your skin.

 

Acne bacteria residing in the sebaceous glands, contain a biochemical called Porphyrin which when activated by certain wavelengths of light causes the death of the bacterial cells. The ELight system that will be used for your treatment is able to deliver the special wavelength of light needed to bring about this destruction of the Acne bacteria.

 

Several treatments may be needed before an improvement is seen. Unfortunately because it is impossible to kill all the Acne bacteria in any one session, the condition usually recurs but hopefully a reduction in the number of active acne pustules will be achieved. Acne can be cured but it can be controlled.

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IPL Laser can:

  • Reduces the number and severity of active lesions and frequency of acne breakouts 

  • Reduces the inflammation and redness of the skin

  • Improve the complexion by reducing the the pigmentation left from the lesions

  • Helps reduce the need to wear thick make-up

  • Gives you your self-confidence back.

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IPL LASER ACNE CONTROL

Non Invasive 

No Chemicals

Duration of Results

Gets Acne under control  but does not cure

Number of treatments

6 spaced

2 weeks apart

Cost 

From £29

Down Time 

Minimal

Frequently Asked Questions

What will happen during my treatment?

You will be asked to put on goggles to protect your eyes. In Intense Pulsed Light treatments, a layer of gel is applied to the area to guide light into the skin. The applicator has a cooling action to increase comfort during treatment. The light applicator is placed on the skin and a short pulse of light is released. The applicator is then moved to the neighbouring area and the process is repeated until the entire area is treated. The gel is removed and the area cooled.



Can everyone have the treatment?

Unfortunately not all treatments are for everyone. Please check our contraindications list to make sure you avoid disappointment. Conditions that would mean you were not able to have this treatments:

  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) an auto-immune disease often referred to simply as “Lupus”
  • Any other disease or condition affecting the immune system eg removal of Spleen
  • Skin cancer in the area to be treated
  • Pregnant (or still breast feeding)
  • Bleeding abnormalities
  • Blood thinning medication (except low dose Aspirin of 75mg or less per day)
  • Suffer with hypertrophic scarring or keliod formation
  • Vitiligo
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis “Gold” or Methotrexate Therapy
  • HIV
  • Hepatitis
  • Biomedical implants or any other metal implants
  • Type 1 Diabetes & type 2 when on medication
  • Psoriasis or eczema (on treatment area)
  • Long term Photosensitive Medications
  • Very dark skin (Fitzpatrick skin type 6)
  • Liver or kidney disease
  • Severe reactions to histamines
  • Allergic to ultrasound gel
Conditions that need a doctors letter to confirm the treatment is suitable before treatments can begin:
  • Epilepsy
  • Transplant Anti-Rejection Drugs
  • Thyroid Disease
  • Heart Disease
  • Hypertension (High blood pressure treated with medication)
  • Cancer - after 12 months
The list below is of things that require a waiting period until you can start treatments:
  • Photosensiting Remedies and short term medication, including but not limited to Retin A, Roaccutane, St.Johns Wort, antibiotics, cortisone - wait 6 months after completion
  • Active Herpes simplex (Cold Sores) - wait 2 weeks until its healed and use antiviral medication a few days before and continue a week after treatment
  • Acute fungal infections - Wait until the condition has cleared until having your treatment
  • UV exposure from sunbathing or sunbeds - wait 4 weeks before your starting your treatment and please note you can not sunbath or go on a sunbed during your course of treatment
  • Self tanners - Stop using tanners and wait 4 weeks before starting treatments and do not use in the treatment area during your treatment course.
  • Chemical Peel, Microdermabrasion or Radio Frequency - wait 4 weeks before starting treatments and do not have in the area during your treatment course.
  • Medical Chemical Peels, Dermabrasion, Laser Skin Resurfacing or Face Lift at site of treatment - wait 6 moths before starting treatments and do not have in the area during your treatment course.
  • Area being treated with Botox® - wait 3 months
  • Area being treated with dermal fillers - wait 2 weeks
  • Depilatory creams - wait 2 weeks
  • Open lesions -wait until completely healed
  • Infection - wait until the infection has completely healed
  • Inflammation - wait until the area has completely calmed down
  • Tattoos in the treatment area - the area has to be avoided
  • Moles (if you have a mole, you can still undergo laser based treatments as the beams used aren’t on the UV spectrum, however it is always important to keep an eye on any visual mole alterations that may occur (if you do see anything suspicious, make sure you inform your doctor of the treatment and have it checked as soon as possible)



What will happen after my treatment, are there any side effects?

Clients may experience temporary redness following treatment. This side effect is temporary and will resolve itself within a few hours. Light-based treatments have significantly decreased the appearance of acne and lessened the number of breakouts experienced by patients, revealing a clearer complexion and smoother skin. Patients have seen optimal results when combining light-based treatments with other therapies such as acne creams for a multifaceted treatment approach.



Which therapists at Beauty Holistic Avenue provide this treatment?

Vicki Hexter Viktoria Zem Find out more about each therapist at Meet the Team



How long will the treatment take and how many will you need?

A typical session will take from 15 to 30 minutes. Typically a course of six IPL treatments with each treatment every 2 weeks are needed. Skin acid peels can be done in the alternate weeks.



How much does it cost?

CONSULTATION & PATCH TEST: Free MICRO AREA (e.g. chin or upper lip): £29.00 per area - Course of 6 £145.00 SMALL AREA (e.g. cheeks, forehead or upper lip & chin): £39.00 per area - Course of 6 £195.00 MEDIUM AREA (2 medium areas): £69.00 - Course of 6 £345.00 LARGE AREA (full face): £99.00 - Course of 6 £495.00



Pre & Post Care Advice

Pre-Treatment Care

  • In the lead up to your treatment ensure:
  • No fake tan 4 weeks prior to your treatment.
  • No sun exposure 4 weeks prior to your treatment (use SPF 30+ daily).
  • Take anti-viral medication if you have had recent herpes close to the area.
  • No alcohol 48 hours before your treatment
Post-Treatment Care
  • Cold compresses (not ice) and recommended skin care products such as Aloe Vera may be useful if there is any swelling and erythema or general discomfort. Erythema may last for several hours.
  • You may take over-the-counter pain or anti-inflammatory medication. Hydrocortisone (steroid) cream may decrease any itching or skin irritation. Antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin) may be used if skin is broken (very rare) to prevent infection.
  • Your skin will be fragile for 2 to 3 days. Use gentle cleansers, but do not rub the skin vigorously and avoid cleaning with very hot water during this time. Skin moisturisers may be used and make-up can be applied if the skin is not broken. Aloe Vera gel can help aid recovery
  • Avoid sun exposure and tanning creams during the entire course of treatments. Use SPF 30 or greater on the treatment area at all times.
  • The treatment area may be left open and uncovered. Do not scrub the area. Do not use any products on the treated area without first consulting your Aesthetic Therapist.
  • Avoid soaking for 24 to 48 hours. No hot tubs, whirlpools or baths, but showers are allowed if tepid water is used.
  • Avoid excessive sweating for 24 to 48 hours. No saunas or vigorous working out.
  • Keep areas well moisturised and allow any scabs (rare) to fall off on their own. An antibiotic ointment may be used. (This is more likely to occur after treatment of pigmented lesions).
  • Avoid irritants such as Retin-A, Retinol, Renova, glycolics, bleaching creams and exfoliants for one week.
  • Refrain from alcohol for 3-7 days (This is particularly recommended after treatment for Thread Veins as alcohol may dilate blood vessels in the treatment area)
  • Keep well hydrated
  • It is best to avoid smoking for a period of several weeks before and after your procedure, as smoking constricts the capillaries and taxes the immune system, thereby slowing healing and results
  • Avoid photosensitivity inducing foods (notably Celery & Leek)
  • Plucking residual hair is acceptable after hair removal treatment (but not before!)
  • Makeup can be applied after 2 hours
  • On occasion, clients experience blistering that causes crusting. This usually does not occur until the following day. If it does occur, the patient can apply warm compresses and a topical antiseptic ointment. This occurrence should be relayed to your Aesthetic Practitioner as future treatments will require that the settings be adjusted.



What is Acne

Acne can occur around the time of puberty, pregnancy, menopause and / or periods of long-term stress. This is due to an increase in testosterone which stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce excess sebum (oil) which is stickier in texture, this mixes with dead skin cells to form a blockage in the pore. As the skin continues to shed dead cells and produce more sebum, this blockage causes a build up and the plug develops into a comedone (blackhead or whitehead). Propionibacterium acnes (the P.acne bacteria), is anaerobic bacteria, meaning it thrives in an oxygen-free environment, that uses sebum as it’s main food source. With excess sebum and oxygen unable to enter the pore freely, it’s the perfect environment for the bacteria to multiple. P.acne bacteria release an enzyme called lipase to help digest the sebum i that irritate the lining of the follicle. This results in an inflammatory response and an inflamed lesion known as a ‘papule’ is formed. Your skins autoimmune system attempts to fight the bacterial infection with white blood cells, surrounding the infection. This is known as ‘pus’ and the formation of a ‘pustule’. If the inflammation is allowed to spread to the deeper layers of tissue, then a large painful pus-filled lesion known as a Nodule is formed.



Other causes of Acne

Below is a list of things that can cause or make acne worse: Cosmetics: when you use a new product or a product which doesn’t agree with your skin, it starts to breakout. It could be from makeup, sunscreen, products with ingredients that clog your pores, irritating fragrance from fabric softeners etc. Food Allergies: Some foods in certain skin type can cause breakouts or make acne worse. These include a sensitivity to milk, dairy, iodine, gluten, biotin, sugar, soy, etc Poor Cell Turnover Rate: when a dead skin cells are not being shed at the proper rate and contribute to pore blockage, it leads to acne. Disturbed Skin: When your skin is irritated (red, flaky, itchy, stingy) or overly dry, it can make you more vulnerable to p.acnes. With poor skin barrier function, your skin doesn’t do a good job protecting itself and keeping itself healthy. Underlying Health Problems: Underlying health problems can also cause acne. These include candida, thyroid problems, PCOS, diabetes, digestive imbalances, and metabolism issues. Stress, Lack of Sleep: Stress can be seen on the skin and can worsen acne symptoms but is not a direct cause of acne. Toxin Build-Up: Toxins can build up in your body through constipation or poor liver/kidney/intestinal function. When this happens, the build up gets released through your skin, resulting in acne.



Different types of Acne

Acne can be divided into 4 different grades depending on how it looks and its severity. The severity differs from one person to the other. Grade 1 – Mild Acne Grade 1 Acne is the mildest of 4 acne types hence it also most commonly know as mild acne. This Acne consists of comedones (blackheads) mostly on the nose, and a few papules which are small, red breakouts typically found on the cheeks. These breakouts are minimal and tend to be occasional. Grade 2 – Moderate Acne In moderate acne, there are more blemishes. Apart from the T zone area, lesions can occur anywhere in the face. The skin has several whiteheads which are also called closed comedones. They appear like raised white or yellowish dots. When squeezed white material will come out. Around a white head, there is surrounding redness due to mild inflammation and sometimes mild swelling of the area. Apart from whiteheads, there are papules (firm elevated reddish or skin colored bumps when felt feel rough and irregular) and pustules (small bump or blister filled with yellowish material /pus) which are also called pimples. Papules, when squeezed no fluid, will come out. Pustules when squeezed, yellow color pus will come out sometimes mixed with blood. Pus is an accumulation of skin debris, white blood cells, and bacteria. Grade 3 – Severe Acne Inflammation is marked and there will be a lot of papules and pustules over the face. Since the lesions occur near to each other, it can spread and merge with each other and look like crops. This will lead to skin damage and even without squeezing, scarring can occur once healed. In severe acne, infection is deep within the skin. There will be more redness and mild swelling of the face. Grade 4 – Cystic Acne This stage is very severe. The blemishes are large. They can occur not only on the face but neck, shoulders, back and sometimes arms. They are deep and firm to touch. There are cysts which look like a boil or a big blister. The size of a cyst may be about half a centimeter in diameter. They contain pus inside. There are also firm or hard bumps called nodules. They do not contain pus. When the face is touched, it may cause pain. Scarring is very common in Cystic acne as the lesions are deep.