Acne Treatment in London

The most effective treatment for red acne scars depends on whether they are raised scars (either hypertrophic or keloid). If they are raised, steroid injections in combination with a vascular laser can help. If they are red but not raised, vascular laser treatment may prove effective.

Acne treatment varies, depending on the type of scarring you have on your face. So, before deciding on which treatment to use, your dermatologist will identify whether you have atrophic (eg, ice pick, box or rolling) or hypertrophic (or raised bump) scarring.

Your dermatologist will treat each component of the scarring. The best treatment for deep acne scarring (eg, ice pick scars) is a technique known as punch excision, and your dermatologist might also advise you to have a combination of therapies.

Our consultant dermatologists at the Devonshire Clinic will examine your skin, discuss your medical history and how your acne affects your everyday life, and advise you on the best treatment available.

Ablative laser resurfacing therapy using either an erbium YAG, or pulsed and scanned, or continuous wave CO2 laser system produces the best results. However, non-ablative laser treatments, (eg fractional laser, Nd:YAG laser, and Diode lasers) that leave the top layer of skin undamaged are safer and have shorter recovery periods. At your appointment, your consultant dermatologist at The Devonshire Clinic will be able to advise you about the best option for your skin.

Acne scarring is a common problem. It affects 1 in every 5 people who have had acne at some time in their lives. And there are good reasons for getting it treated, even though it’s not usually available on the NHS.

Facial scarring can significantly impact how you feel about yourself, so laser treatment can make a real difference to your self-esteem. It may be the best treatment for some acne scarring, but it isn’t always effective for deep ‘ice pick’ scars.

Our consultant dermatologists at The Devonshire Clinic will discuss your medical history, as well as the size, type and severity of your scars, to help you decide if laser treatment is right for you.

The cost of acne scar treatment varies, depending on the type of treatment and the severity of your scars. For an initial, in-person consultation with one of our dermatologists, our fee is from £300. For more information and to book an appointment, please contact our Appointments team.

The number of laser treatments you’ll need will vary, depending on the severity of your scars. Your consultant dermatologists at The Devonshire Clinic will help you to decide the number of laser treatments you’ll need to treat your scars. You’re likely to need more than one appointment to get the best results, particularly with non-ablative laser treatment.

Laser treatment is permanent for scars, but you can get further scarring when you have new acne spots. It can take more than one treatment to see an improvement, and there is no guarantee that any laser therapy will completely remove a scar, but it can certainly improve the appearance of your
skin.

Laser acne scar treatment is effective in helping your scarring become less noticeable. You should notice a decrease in raised scars, reduced pain and itching and an increased range of motion in places where your scars limit movement.

Laser treatment can leave scars, but it’s rare. Some people, for example those who have had radiotherapy in the past, are more likely to have scars than others. Laser treatment at The Devonshire Clinic is performed by highly skilled dermatologists using minimal thermal energy, so scarring/tissue injury is very unusual.

Laser treatment can reduce the appearance of acne scars, and it’s particularly effective at treating mild to moderate scarring. Although it doesn’t always show immediate improvements, it can help scars become less noticeable.

Laser or light treatment (also known as laser resurfacing or laser scar revision) is used to treat scarring. It can reduce redness and flatten scars. Light beams either remove scar tissue on the surface or create tiny holes in the skin (non-ablative laser treatment). This, in turn, stimulates collagen production. Following treatment, your body immediately starts making new, smoother skin.

Laser treatment is one of the most effective solutions for acne scars, but results vary from person to
person, and it isn’t suitable for everyone. There are two types:

• Ablative laser treatment which uses lasers to remove an area of skin surrounding a scar. This
  results in a new and smoother patch of skin

• Non-ablative laser treatment which uses lasers to boost the body’s production of new skin cells,
  leaving skin looking smoother

These treatments can also be supplemented by others, such as chemical peels and combination
radiofrequency/microneedling treatments, such as Vivace.

Yes, acne scars can come back after laser treatment. You may achieve long-lasting results from laser treatment, but you’ll likely need additional sessions once or twice a year. And it’s important to follow your dermatologist’s advice about on-going skin management to get the best results.