IPL Acne Treatments

Acne is a common skin condition most commonly associated with teenagers and young adults of both sexes. However, at The Cheshire Aesthetic Clinic our experience is that older age groups are increasingly affected by the typical acne traits of congested skin, blocked pores, and skin blemishes too.

When you book we charge a £20 booking fee to secure your appointment which is, of course, deducted from the cost of your treatment.

Acne is often caused by:

Hormones – For the majority of those with acne, outbreaks begin at puberty when the body begins to produce ‘androgens’. These are hormones which cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge, which is a natural part of the body’s development but for acne sufferers these glands are over stimulated.

Oily Skin – When the sebaceous gland is stimulated by androgens it produces extra sebum which mixes with common skin bacteria and dead skin cells that have been shed from the lining of the follicle. Excess sebum in the follicle increases clogging and can cause acne. Stress levels can also affect sebum production and can increase severity of acne.

Bacteria – The bacterium ‘Propionibacterium acnes’ is present on all skins and is part of the skin’s natural sebum maintenance system. Once a follicle is plugged, the bacteria multiplies causing a chemical reaction which inflames the follicle and surrounding skin.

Inflammation – When exposed to unwanted bacteria the immune system sends in white blood cells to attack, often the cause of red, swollen and painful pimples.

At The Cheshire Aesthetic Clinic, acne can be effectively and quickly treated with Intense Pulse Light (IPL) without risk in just a few easy treatments. The light emitted from the Intense Pulsed Light laser directly targets overactive sebaceous glands to reduce the total number and severity of active lesions. This lessens the inflammation and occurrence of break-outs. The light stimulates the production of new collagen to improve skin texture, and to reduce the red or brown areas of skin common to acne.

What happens during an IPL acne treatment?

Having had a one-to-one consultation to assess your specific needs and tailor a course of treatments for you, The Cheshire Aesthetic Clinic’s skincare specialist will apply a layer of chilled gel to the skin to help guide the short pulse of light to the target area. The laser applicator is then passed over the skin several times until the whole area is treated.

Each pulse of light treats a large area of skin and so the duration of the treatment is very short (30 minutes in most instances). The gel is removed and the skin is moisturised.

Is anyone suitable for an IPL 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) we recommend not to undergo IPL or any other laser treatment.

Is an IPL acne treatment painful?

Treatment is mildly uncomfortable but no anaesthesia is required. Many people describe the sensation as similar to the flick of an elastic band.

Are there any side effects to an IPL laser acne treatment?

Immediately post treatment, skin may appear red and a warm tingling sensation may be felt. The Cheshire Aesthetic Clinic’s specialist will cool the skin with a calming gel.

Skin redness usually disappears within a couple of hours of treatment. 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 many IPL laser sessions are necessary to successfully treat acne?

The number of treatments necessary varies from person to person, but most of The Cheshire Aesthetic Clinic clients find that up to 6 IPL treatments will result in a significant improvement in their condition.

If you are troubled with acne scars we can help too. DermaPen™ treatments enable the skin to rejuvenate naturally. The benefits can be life changing if you are suffering from prominent acne scarring. Chemical Peels with Salicylic Azelilac are also very effective.

Salicylic and Azelaic acid:

Salicylic is a BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) with astringent and keratolytic properties. Moreover, it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that regulate sebum secretion and reduce the oiliness of oily/acne prone skins.

Azeliac acid is a dicarboxylic acid that is derived from cereals and has a significant effect against acne. More specifically, it has comedolytic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial action effects (it neutralises Propionibacterium acnes of the pilosebaceous follicle) that help fight acne and pigmentation thereby reducing discolouration and in particular brown spots due to acne.

Other Popular Treatments

Inch Loss and Fat Reduction

Inch Loss and Fat Reduction Laser LipoSculpture (also known as Laser Lipolysis) is a new, non-invasive, painless, safe form of inch loss treatment which gives you the result of liposuction, without the surgery.

There are no needles or injections and after the treatment there is no bruising or recovery time.

At the Cheshire Aesthetic Clinic, many of our clients can expect to lose between half to three inches after just one treatment. Others have shown up to an astonishing size loss of 16 inches over a course of ten treatments.

When you book we charge a £20 booking fee to secure your appointment which is, of course, deducted from the cost of your treatment.