Successful Treatments for Acne & Acne Scarring

Acne (Vulgaris) is a chronic, but common, inflammatory condition of the pilosebaceous duct.  The over production of sebum clogs the follicles causing infection, the blockage traps oil in the follicle where the bacteria (Propiobacterium Acnes) will thrive on the anaerobic conditions.

Acne affects the areas of skin with the largest population of sebaceous follicles; which include the face, shoulders chest and back. 

Acne is the actually the most common skin disorder, and whilst it usually appears in adolescence, adults can get it too.  The four basic mechanisms contributing to acne are hormones, increased sebum production, changes inside hair follicles, and bacteria.  When the body's immune system tries to destroy the bacteria, inflammation results.

About 70% of infected people go into spontaneous remission after 4 to 5 years but about 30% continue into adult life.  However, acne scarring can occur throughout this time.

Acne can be treated using laser and pulsed light, which help to destroy the bacteria, reduce redness and scarring and initiate skin healing response.  This treatment is highly effective, even on individuals who have had limited/no response to oral antibiotics, topical creams, micro-dermabrasion, chemical peels and laser resurfacing.

Exposure to yellow light has been clinically proven to result in an improvement of active acne.  Light treatments directed against acne are comparable to the effects of oral antibiotics, but offer a faster solution and fewer long term side effects!  By targeting the chromophores (a light absorbing part of the bacteria), and sparing injury to the epidermis, light based treatments are more promising in terms of being capable of inducing longer term remissions as well as reducing the scarring caused by acne, even if the scars have been present for many years.

 It has been long proven that acne can improve in condition on exposure to sun light alone (partly due to the drying out of the skin), but we also know that short wavelengths of light (yellow – blue) have strong anti-bacterial properties, and longer wavelengths of light (orange – red) have noted anti-inflammatory properties.  A combination of these wavelengths can have an even better effect than a single wavelength of light alone.

Light based therapy has proven to be a safe and effective model for the treatment of mild to severely inflamed acne by providing oxygen into the skin, the application eliminates any bacteria – results = Great skin!

Cheshire Skin Clinic Editorial

Light - based Hair removal From the Cheshire Skin Clinic

Using VPL Technology

Imagine not having to shave again, or to schedule waxing before holidays and important nights out! Energist UltraPlus (VPL™) Variable Pulsed Light system has become the industry standard for effective, long-term hair removal. VPL technology uses short, safe controlled pulses of filtered light to remove unwanted hair quickly and effectively, by affecting the ability of the hair follicle to regenerate, leaving your skin feeling silky smooth. The flexibility of the UltraPlus VPL to safely treat darker skin types has made it a leader in its field. VPL also treats a range of other including wrinkles and fine lines, age & sun spots, thread veins, rosacea, as well as acne management. Ask your beauty therapist at The Cheshire Skin Clinic for more information about VPL treatments.

How does Energist UltraPlus VPL technology work?

VPL^TM  technology is a revolutionary new technique for hair removal and all aspects of skin rejuvenation. Using short pulses of light energy, which can be varied in number, length and frequency, for example- (2-15 pulses 3, 5, & 7 ms on time and 1-20ms off time, this allows the user to have access to a total of 840 different pulse options therefore making the Energist UltaPlus a very competitive versatile system, this complex technology has been made simple with its windows touch screen software which includes user friendly illustrations when using our systems.

The VPL^TM systems emit light across a range of wavelengths, allowing a greater range of more gentle treatments to be performed on virtually all hair and skin types.

The safe and effective VPL^TM technology helps to remove and improve the effects that age, hormonal activity, and over- exposure to the sun can have on the skin using short, safe controlled pulses of filtered light to help improve texture and tone, VPL^TM leaves skin clearer and smoother.

Treating a wide range of conditions from unwanted hair, to active acne, thread veins, fine lines and wrinkles, age and sun spots and rosacea, VPL^TM technology is the way forward for beauty salons and clinics.

Generally IPL technology can be used anywhere on the body, but caution must be taken when treating near mucus membrane areas such as; the mouth (lips) eye sockets, and genital areas.

The Science

•          The Energist VPL delivers a series of very rapid, short pulses of light energy to the skin

•          Aim - to effectively heat the hair follicle/vessel whilst keeping the surrounding skin cool

•          Result - the hair follicle is disabled through the absorption of particular wavelengths of light 

•          The client only feels a momentary mild heating sensation

Hair Removal for Summer (Men & Women)

Skin Deep – April 2012

Welcome to ‘Skin Deep’ – This month’s feature looks at our ‘Hair Removal for Summer’.

Any questions, just ask Dr. Angie Winnington-Sharp – www.cheshireskinclinic.com angie@cheshireskinclinic.com or 01925 263660 & 07967 481594.  Next month – Combating Ageing.

Although the weather is still ‘changeable’ at best during spring, it is definitely the ideal time of year to start laser hair removal. We’re no longer in the deepest, darkest winter months, our wardrobes are changing and summer is (hopefully) not too far away. Alternatively, if you are planning a summer break somewhere exotic, now is the time to begin your course of hair removal. This is because any tan that you gain whilst away will delay further laser treatments on your return as the pigment in the tan is different to your normal skin tone, and can be detrimental to your normal treatment settings.

Providing you find a clinic that has the appropriate type of laser-based device a wide variety of hair colours and skin types can be treated, along with sufferers of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) or people with other hormonal imbalances. Hair removal is also becoming increasingly popular amongst male clients and sports enthusiasts as well as the more established female client base.

So, use this period of variable weather to your advantage, the sun has temporarily deserted us, so a few weeks of cooler weather are an ideal prompt to start work on a fabulous bikini line, unwanted facial hair, underarms, legs, backs, shoulders and brows to name just a few. Whether you are looking for a great hair-free appearance or maximising your aerodynamics for speed and performance, laser hair removal could be the answer for you and your inner confidence!

Feature Article - Acne Treatments

Skin Deep – March 2012

Welcome to ‘Skin Deep’ – This month’s feature looks at our ‘New Look Feature Article - Acne’.

Any questions, just ask Dr. Angie Winnington-Sharp – www.cheshireskinclinic.com angie@cheshireskinclinic.com or 01925 263660 & 07967 481594.  Next month– Hair Removal for Summer.

Acne can be a distressing and long-term condition for many people and taking strong prescription drugs to counter it is not suitable for all, plus if the medication is stopped, the condition can reappear as before, or be even worse. Acne can affect any age group and long term effects on the physical appearance of the skin i.e. scarring and redness, as well as affecting an individuals confidence and behaviour. This combination can be detrimental to just leading a ‘normal life’. Many will use excess make-up, clothing and products to cover the condition and may also feel limited in social activities such as swimming, sun bathing or in the way they dress.

There are a number of non-invasive methods of treatment that can prove to be extremely effective for managing, reducing and removing acne and any associated scars. The most effective of these include pulsed light treatment of various wavelengths, chemical peels (of varying strengths), dermal rollers and home-use salicylic acid products. Any of these can be used in isolation or combination depending on the individual’s acne i.e. the extent of it, the area of the body it covers and the age and tolerance levels of the client.

To get the best possible treatment it is advisable to book a consultation with a specialist skin clinic, discuss your goals from the treatment and what you would like to achieve and then ask what treatment path best suits you. Acne is not something that needs to rule your life, it is possible to look and feel better.

Seasonal Feature Article - Rosacea

Skin Deep – February 2012

Welcome to ‘Skin Deep’ – This month’s feature looks at our ‘New Look Feature Article - Rosacea’.

Any questions, just ask Dr. Angie Winnington-Sharp – www.cheshireskinclinic.com angie@cheshireskinclinic.com or 01925 263660 & 07967 481594.  Next month’s feature - Acne.

Many people suffer with a condition called rosacea which presents itself typically in people during their 30s and 40s and tends to be more noticeable during the colder months of the year. It is marked by redness (erythema) of the face, flushing of the skin, and sometimes the presence of hard pimples and small visible spider-like veins called telangiectasias. In later stages of the disease, the face may swell and the nose may take on a bulb-like appearance called rhinophyma. The severity of the condition can be reduced by the application of a range of medical applications but is frequently successfully treated and ‘managed’ by a course of pulsed light treatments which reduce the redness and also assist in making the skin feel less itchy and much smoother.

The treatment itself is non-invasive and takes around 2-5 minutes to treat the face. Applications for home-use that assist in prolonging the effects of the light treatment are advised post-treatment in addition to regular hydration, such as regular fluid intake. The latter is particularly useful when changing environments such as coming indoors into a room with central heating on directly after being exposed to cooler conditions.

For many sufferers the use of steroids or excessive cover-up make-up is not desirable, so this treatment provides an excellent route to tackling the condition and giving the individual a confidence boost that is both affordable and lifestyle friendly.

New Year Skin Revolution!

Skin Deep – January 2012

South Warrington News

Welcome to ‘Skin Deep’ – This month’s feature looks at ‘New Year Skin-Revolutions’.

Any questions, just ask Dr. Angie Winnington-Sharp – www.cheshireskinclinic.com angie@cheshireskinclinic.com or 01925 263660 & 07967 481594.  Next month launches a ‘new look’ article.

Last month we discussed the importance of being ‘Skin-Coherent’ and incorporating all aspects of holistic skin care. This month is the start of a ‘Skin-Revolution’. New Year is typically a time when many of us take stock of what is truly important in our lives and think about forming new priorities to tackle in the year ahead. Skin is something that many of us take for granted, but it shows our outer self clearly and is an excellent indicator of our inner wellbeing. With very little effort, we can pamper our skin and look ‘fantabulous’ over the next twelve months.

Basic ‘at home steps’ may include the purchase of a product that is tailor made to suit your individual skin, again this doesn’t have to mean buying expensive lotions and potions, it can mean spending as little as £20 as an investment to last for the next 2-3 months.  An ideal solution is to purchase a ‘Mini-Kit’ of selected products from a skin specialist that will give you a taster or a variety of medical and cosmeceutical grade items that you can trial in the privacy of your own home and then give feedback to your specialist to enable them to assess your skin response and act accordingly. Normally for as little as £25-50 per month, it is possible to establish a regime that will leave your skin looking better than ever, without breaking the bank.

If desired this can also be done in conjunction with a monthly or bimonthly non-surgical treatment to boost your rejuvenation and maximise the improvement to your skin and personal outlook for the coming months and years – take care of yourself from the outside and inner comfort and satisfaction is sure to follow.

Cheshire Skin Clinic says 'Be Skin-Coherent'! x

Skin Deep – December 2011

Welcome to ‘Skin Deep’ – This month’s feature looks at ‘Christmas Treats – the new trend ‘being Skin-Coherent’. Any questions, just ask Dr. Angie Winnington-Sharp – www.cheshireskinclinic.com angie@cheshireskinclinic.com or 01925 263660 & 07967 481594.  Next month we’ll be looking at ‘New Year Skin-Revolutions’.

Winter is here, time to take action and avoid your skin becoming one of the first victims of the cold, don’t be left in the dark when it comes to skin care for the season, be lit up with knowledge and be SKIN-COHERENT! This new trend, coined by the Cheshire Skin Clinic, incorporates all of the best ways in boosting your rejuvenation levels and tackling all aspects of skin care, in a coherent, consistent, professional, holistic and successful way.

Combination therapy is the key; an amalgamation of non-surgical laser, radio-frequency, chemical peels and dermal-roller techniques can now be used professionally to make you look better than ever.  Combining a selection of these with anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers, medical serums, retinol formulations and permanent make-up can truly give you a new look that will amaze your friends and family and leave them saying ‘I’ll have what she’s having, please!’ The very best skin clinics will have professional consultants who are dedicated to a specific range of treatments that they specialise in, thus allowing you the finest treatment course appropriate for your skin, tailor-made packages, a holistic approach and supreme, paramount results. Now is an excellent time of year to take advantage of consultation and treatment combo’ offers at a clinic near you. Whatever your goals and dreams, there will be something out there that will make ‘all of your Christmas’s come this year’, why delay, start today – contact us now for further information and have a truly happy, gorgeous Christmas.