What is Acne and its causes?
- Acne is a skin disorder caused by the body’s increased production of the hormone androgen which stimulates sebaceous glands to produce more oil.
- This causes the pores to become blocked so that oil cannot come up to the skins surface which in turn causes red pimples, blackheads and whitehead.
- Acne occurs in both teenagers and adults.
- The most common areas are the face, chest, shoulders and back.
- When Acne is left untreated it can cause permanent scarring.
- Poor hygiene and a bad diet are blamed for the cause of Acne this is untrue, the most common causes are puberty, poly-cystic ovarian syndrome, stress and medication.
How long does a treatment take?
- A large area can be targeted in one flash of light, so it takes approximately 20 minutes for the facial area.
- A course of treatments required is 3-6 treatments, three to four weeks apart.
Am I suitable for treatment?
- Those who suffer from inflammatory acne such as sore, red pimples,blackheads or whiteheads will benefit from this treatment.
- The treatment is more effective with pale skin, as too much light will absorb tanned skin.
- Both teenagers and adults suffering from mild to chronic Acne will benefit from this treatment.
Does it hurt?
- The lighter the skin colour the less discomfort
- Many clients describe the treatment as a warming sensation on the skin.
Do I need to take special precautions before and after treatment?
- For chronic or aggressive acne a prescribed topical cream called Adapaline or Differin is recommended to be applied once every evening to the area for one month prior to treatment.
- What this cream does? it reduces the thickness of the skin in the area to be treated.
- Some clients may be a little sensitive after treatment,so some clients may benefit by applying a cool compress to the area .
What can I expect following treatment?
- You may notice some general redness to the area.
- If you have sun damaged skin, some of the sun spots may turn darker but will disappear after a few days.
- It is recommended in some cases that you continue using the cream after treatment for a short period.
