Acne Treatment
Without a doubt, the biggest break through for many years in the treatment of live acne is the NLite laser. This laser was introduced as a collagen building laser, designed for erasing lines and wrinkles and treating the general signs of skin aging. However, it rapidly became apparent to laser users that it was also possible to achieve very good results on pitted acne scarring by repairing tissue loss in the hollows left by acne lesions.
While treating clients with a mixture of pitted scarring, from old breakouts, as well as fresh problem areas, it became obvious that active breakouts settled very rapidly following the laser treatment. Within a short time, we had a number of clients who were actually controlling their acne by using laser treatment, in conjunction with the correct non-laser treatment regimes.
Since this time, there has been a full clinical trial carried out on the use of this laser for live acne. The work has been done by a specialist Acne Dermatologist, Dr Tony Chu of Imperial College and the results of which were presented at The Royal Society of Medicine on 27 January 2003.. The trial showed that, over a twelve week period, the number of active lesions dropped dramatically and the activity of these lesions was reduced, even after only one laser treatment.
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The conclusion of a recent presentation of Dr Chu’s work stated that:
'NLite is an effective treatment in Acne Vulgaris providing a reduction in both the severity and number of inflammatory lesions.'
The treatment is also highly effective in managing limited break-outs in a generally controlled situation. We have many clients who will come in to treat break-outs or single lesions even before they have fully developed; the laser will destroy proliferating bacteria even if the lesions are not yet visible on the surface.
What is acne?
Acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms. Acne affects most teenagers to some extent. However, the disease is not restricted to any age group; adults in their 20s - even into their 40s - can get acne. While not a life threatening condition, acne can be upsetting and disfiguring. When severe, acne can lead to serious and permanent scarring. Even less severe cases can lead to scarring.
What causes acne?
It is an abnormal response in the skin to normal levels of the male hormone, testosterone, in the blood. Both men and women have testosterone circulating in the blood, but in the acne sufferer, this hormone has profound effects on the skin. This abnormal response is self-limiting and eventually (in 70% of cases) acne does get better without treatment, but there is no way of predicting how long this can take - it may take years or even decades. Acne occurs when dead skin cells, become more "sticky" and partially block the pores. The sebaceous gland is also affected and will produce more sebum, which gives rise to a generally oily complexion.
The partial blockage in the pore restricts the flow of sebum on to the skin surface. This results in solidification of the sebum, which fills the hair channel forming a blackhead. The "black" of the blackhead is not due to dirt, but a change in pigment in the blockage in the pore. If the partial blockage becomes complete, the oil builds up around the hair and hair route and becomes infected with bacteria normally present on the skin. The bacteria breakdown the sebum and produce inflammatory chemicals which cause redness, pus formation and pain resulting in a spot. If the inflammation is deep and severe, or if the spot is squeezed, the pus can burst deep into the skin rather than on to the surface. This deep-rooted inflammation and infection can result in cyst formation and scarring.
Who gets acne?
Close to 100% of people between the ages of about twelve and seventeen have at least an occasional whitehead, blackhead or pimple, regardless of race or ethnicity. In most cases, acne starts between the ages of ten and thirteen and usually lasts for five to ten years. It normally goes away on its own sometime in the early twenties. However, acne can persist into the late twenties or thirties or even beyond. Some people will get acne for the first time as adults.
Acne affects young men and young women about equally, but there are differences. Young men are more likely than young women to have more severe, longer lasting forms of acne. Young women are more likely to have intermittent acne due to hormonal changes associated with their menstrual cycle and acne caused by cosmetics. Acne lesions are most common on the face, but they can also occur on the neck, chest, back, shoulders, scalp, and upper arms and legs.
How does NLite laser treatment work?
 NLite Laser |
Firstly, the laser light kills the acne bacteria that cause the infection and which lead to the formation of spots. Because the whole face is usually treated, the bacteria are killed over a wide area, reducing breakouts and stopping the infection spreading.
Secondly, the formation of large amounts of new collagen below and around the spots gives a huge boost to the healing process, causing the spots to disappear with a reduced likelihood of acne scars developing.
What does the treatment involve?
Short pulses of light, each lasting a few milliseconds are expertly applied over the required areas. Some patients experience a warming glow and tingling sensation. The sensitive lower epidermis level of skin and surrounding tissue is not affected. There is no need for any anaesthetic. Typically the whole face can be treated in about 30 - 40 minutes,
Are there any side effects?
Worldwide ongoing clinical trials have found treatment with the NLite laser to be remarkably safe. In rare cases there may be some slight swelling and/or reddening, but on the few occasions it has happened has settled very quickly. There is also a very small risk of pigmentation changes within the treated area. A very small minority of patients have had pinpoint bruising where the laser has fired, but in every case has settled completely within a few days. Good operator technique will reduce the risk of even these side effects, so the NLite is almost completely complication free.
Is the treatment safe?
The NLite is a variation of a technology that has been used daily throughout the world for more than 20 years at much higher powers than we use. Low power and extensive clinical trials, plus six years of NLite laser experience at this clinic have resulted in a safe technique with almost zero side effects.
As for all laser treatment at The Cottage Surgery, every precaution is taken to ensure the safety of the client. . Treatments are carried out by fully qualified laser clinicians. A rigorous set of procedures is in place governing the safe use of the lasers, which are maintained according to a strict schedule. The clinic is registered and inspected by The Healthcare Commission in accordance with the Care Standards Act 2000. The Cottage Surgery fulfils its legal requirements to the very highest standards.
What are the costs likely to be?
This will be discussed at an initial consultation. Treatment costs will vary between individuals according to the particular characteristics and severity of the condition. Each client will have an individual treatment plan and all options will be fully explained. Complete costing for all products, non laser and laser treatments are explained during the consultation and clients are under no obligation to make any decisions at the time; we always encourage people to consider the information before embarking on any course of treatment. The consultation fee is £30.
Is the treatment painful?
The treatment is mildly uncomfortable; the side effects, if any are minimal and very short lived. Certainly, in comparison to the use of Roaccutane and long term Anti-biotics, this is a treatment solution that is very well tolerated and far superior to any other acne treatment that we know of.
How soon will I see an improvement?
The treatment works in three stages: On the day of treatment, most clients experience a reduction in tenderness in any painful spots and in the days following, a rapid resolution of existing break-outs. As the weeks progress, the redness left by old lesions will show a marked improvement and pitted scarring will become shallower. A number of treatments will be required to achieve the optimum results.
What is the best timing for follow up treatments?
Clinical trails show improvements for up to three months after one treatment; however, experience shows more rapid results are achieved by repeating treatment at about four weeks and then follow up treatments every three months. More severe acne may require more frequent treatments and localised break outs can be controlled at any time between planned visits. Breakouts can be stopped in their tracks if treatment is carried out early. As soon as inflammation begins, a single, local treatment may be used to suppress the inflammatory process.
You will be advised of the options for your specific circumstances during your consultation.
If I continue to have treatment, will it keep my acne under control?
This is a relatively new treatment and long term information is sparse. However a number of clients have been using the NLite for long-term control for more than three years now and this is proving successful. There is a great deal of clinical work taking place on this treatment and we expect the protocol to continue to develop as information becomes available
Can I carry on having top up treatments in the future?
Since the NLite is such a low power, low risk laser treatment, there is no reason why clients cannot continue to treat for as long as they like in the future.
Updated Wednesday 13th 2008f August 2008
