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| WHAT
IS ACNE? |
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Acne
is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin glands and hair
follicles usually found in adolescents. Characterized by black-
and whiteheads, pustules, and nodules, acne develops in the
sebaceous glands and is most apparent in areas where these
glands are most numerous – such as the face, neck, chest,
back, and upper arms. |
A
serious skin disorder, acne often goes untreated resulting
in pain, debilitating scar formations and skin damage. For
years, traditional oral and topical acne treatments have not
treated the direct source of acne, which is the overactive,
oil producing sebaceous glands. Frustrated patients have long
been searching for alternatives to the traditional acne treatment
methods, which have been known to cause side effects. Now,
the IPL treatment offers a long-term solution by directly
altering the structure and function of the sebaceous glands,
which drastically reduces acne lesions without significant
side effects. |
Intense
Pulse Light (IPL)
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|
Described
as the most significant advancement in acne treatment for
decades, IPL treatment is a safe, fast and effective procedure.
Clinical studies have shown it to be comparable if not more
effective to prescription antibiotics.
The light omitted interacts with porphoryn, a naturally occurring
substance in the skin, to create a reaction, which releases
oxygen, which in turn kills the bacteria present in acne.
In addition to this, it has a collagen replenishment application,
which helps to repair the damage caused by the acne infection.
As a result the treatment has long lasting improvement in
acne and overall texture of the skin.
In fact, this type of laser was first used to treat wrinkles
and scars, before it was approved as a laser acne treatment. |
| How
does Intense Pulsed Light Work? |
The
Intense Pulsed Light system releases yellow, green and red
light that is emitted in a series of short pulses. The yellow/green
light destroys the bacteria that live in the skin and cause
acne, while the red light directly targets the overactive
sebaceous glands that cause outbreaks of pustules. This targeted
eating deep in the skin causes shrinkage of the inflamed sebaceous
glands and helps to prevent over-production of excess sebum. |
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| How
is the treatment carried out? |
|
You
will be asked to put on goggles to protect your eyes. A layer
of chilled gel is applied to the area to cool the skin and
guide the light. The light applicator is placed onto the skin
and a short pulse of light is released.
The applicator is then moved to the: neighboring area and
the process is repeated until the whole area is treated. The
chilled gel is removed and the area is moisturized.
Each pulse of light treats a large area of skin and so the
duration of the treatment is very short. |
Is
I Suitable for treatment?
|
|
Almost
everyone can be treated, apart from very dark skinned or tanned
individuals. Pregnant women or people taking the acne treatment
Roaccutane should not be treated. |
| Acne
Facts |
|
| What
are the benefits of intense pulsed light compared to alternative
treatments? |
•
Safe. The
first non-invasive laser cleared .Harmony Medical IPL uses
light which is in the safe end of the light spectrum. Potential
side effects are minimal and short lived. Treatment is provided
trained laser operators. |
| •
Quick. In-clinic treatment usually takes less than 30 minutes. |
| •
Easy. Requires no pre-procedure care or post-procedure wound
treatment. |
| •
Gentle. No cutting, burning, injecting, peeling or scarring.
|
| •
Discreet. You can even return to your normal daily activities
afterward with little to no redness. |
| •
Comfortable. You may feel only a warm, tingling sensation on
the skin. The treatment is non invasive and relatively painless.
The patient will experience a momentary warming of the skin
as the
IPL
is applied to the treatment area.
|
How
many treatments will be required? |
For
mild to moderate acne, a minimum course of 3 is needed
to suppress bacteria with constant use of Glycolic/salicylic
acid products this will keep the acne stable. |
For
severe acne,
a course of 3-6 treatments depending on severity and the individual.
Maintenance treatments may be required; also the use of Glycolic/salicylicacid/benzoyl
per oxide products should be maintained. |
The
treatment itself is very fast with a full-face area treated
in less than 15 minuets. |
Results
are normally seen within two weeks with continued improvement
over the following three months. |
| What
does the Procedure involve? |
| Acne
Treatment |
|
Blue
light is used to destroy the bacteria . This bacteria colonises
the sebaceous gland and blocks it causing acne. Intense Pulsed
Light irradicates the bacteria and gently heats up the skin
around the spots, producing collagen that boosts the healing
process. |
| Before
the treatment |
|
One
of our laser technicians will review your medical history,
ask about your expectations and explain the procedure. The
actual treatment involves little preparation. |
| During
the treatment |
|
You
may sit comfortably during the procedure, wearing protective
eyewear. Because the IPL does not damage your skin, anaesthesia
is not required. The treatment usually takes less than 30
minutes, depending upon the area and number abnormal skin
areas to be treated. The trained staff will use a small handpiece
with a probe that touches your skin to deliver the laser /
IPL light. While there is little to no pain associated with
the treatment, some patients may feel a slight warming or
tingling sensation. |
| After
the treatment |
|
Depending
on the degree of aggressiveness you and your laser consultant
will decide on, whether your IPL treatment can be a “lunchtime”
procedure, in which you can go right back to work.
You may apply moisturizer immediately and return to work or
other activities. You should see results from your therapist
recommended treatment protocol in 90 days. |
| Are
there any after-effects following treatment? |
In
general, most procedures have a low risk of side effects.
More aggressive treatments might induce some temporary discoloration
or reddening of the skin. Some patients might experience pigment
changes in skin colour. If this occurs, the skin will typically
return to normal pigmentation over time.
The duration of your acne or acne scars IPL treatment depends
on the size of the area you wish to have treated or the time
allotted by the therapist performing your treatment. You will
need to discuss this with our therapists performing the treatment.
Worldwide ongoing clinical trials have found treatment with
the IPL 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. This
side effect is very much the exception, but can occur and
patients should not have laser / IPL treatments unless they
are fully aware that this and other side effects are a possible,
such as: |
Blistering
Scarring
Ulceration
Loss of skin pigment
Prolonged possible irritation |
|
We
do everything in our power to try and reduce any incidence
of adverse reactions, but even with the best of care, they
can still occur in certain individuals because of various
individual sensitivities, genetic variances, and allergies
to laser light, which is impossible to predict or know in
advance of the treatment. |
| What
are the contraindicated conditions? |
•
Fitzpatrick
skin type 5-6 can not be treated
• Photosensitizes
may be contraindicated-a note of all medications will be
checked by our Medical Team
• Active
suntan exposure can not be treated
• Infected
skin at the treatment site
• External
genitalia can not be treated
• If
you are Pregnant or Breastfeeding we can not treat you
• Tanned
skin cannot be treated.
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What
Results can you expect
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|
A
full clinical trial has been carried out on the use of this
laser for live acne, the results of which were presented at
The Royal Society of Medicine. The trial showed that, over
a twelve week period, the number of active lesions dropped
dramatically, even after only one laser / IPL treatment. But
this does not exclude the possibility that a greater number
of treatments may be required and that also the results for
each person may differ from one individual to the other. |
Pics
before - after IPL acne treatment |
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Before
Treatment
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After
2 Treatments
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Before
Treatment
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After
5 Treatments
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