ACNE TREATMENTS & PIMPLE TREATMENTS
If you suffer from acne, or have the scarring as a result, you may not realise there are many acne treatments available that can improve, not only the acne itself, but the scarring, too.
Our pimple treatments can help fight the bacteria that promote acne, alleviate the redness and itching of the condition and rejuvenate the skin to repair scar tissue. Furthermore, with the new, deep Fraxel laser treatments, we can destroy the abnormal oil glands that cause the acne and scarring. There will never be a permanent cure for acne, as it is a hormonal disease resulting from overstimulation of the oil glands, but we can provide long-term relief.
Take a look at the overview of our acne treatments below, then call us on 1300 88 99 35 to arrange a free private consultation with one of our highly trained team. During the consultation you will be assessed to determine which pimple treatments procedure is best for reducing your acne and scarring, and fits your budget.
- Medical Skin Care Products
- Peels and Therapeutic Facials
- Blue Light Therapy and ALA (aminolevulinic acid) Therapy
- Fraxel Lite Skin Photo-Rejuvenation
- Fraxel re:store
- Starlux 500 Photodynamic Therapy
- Gemini Photo-Rejuvenation
Medical Skin Care Products
- Concerns: Acne and overabundant oil secretion
- Solution: Our scientifically proven, medical-strength skin care products can't be purchased in retail stores and include therapeutic skin care solutions to unblock pores, fight infection, reduce and regulate oil flow, reduce redness and pigmentation as well as mineral make-ups to mask skin colour inconsistencies.
- Time: Morning and evening skin care regimen and use of make-up as desired.
For a skin care range to be truly effective it has to be in a form that will penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin - ideally, it has to be a serum. Too often, skin care products are too oily/creamy and block the pores, leading to other skin problems and preventing easy camouflage with make-up.
Your skin products should include:
- anti-oxidants, especially vitamin A and C
- effective cleansers and exfoliants to unblock oil build-up in the pores and remove old skin cells
- sunscreens to prevent further sun damage
- pigment inhibitors
- skin hydrators - in the form of light, yet effective, moisturisers.
At the Facial Rejuvenation Clinic, we individually assess your skin and tailor a skin care regimen suitable for your skin type, condition and colour. We also advise camouflage make-up that gives good natural cover without blocking your pores.
We offer a comprehensive range of carefully researched and selected face and body products for pimple treatments. These are very effective, nutritional acne treatments that contain highly purified anti-oxidants, vitamins and enzymes and no bulking agents and preservatives. Therefore, what you are placing on your skin is just the active product you need. The aim of the serums is to provide maximum renewal of skin collagen and elastin, plus improve skin pigmentation, discolouration and lustre.
We have trialled all the common brands of skin care and have rejected those we deem aren't sufficiently effective for either home use or professional clinic use for performing our facials and skin peels. The range of products we recommend to produce the best results for all skin conditions are as follows:
- Aspect
- CosMedix
- Results Rx
- Jan Marini
- Osmosis
- Rationale
- Obagi
As part of our recommended range, we provide several well-known and effective products for individual skin conditions. These are as follows.
ASAP
Clinic Care/Neova
We also offer mineral make-ups, which are ideal for covering skin inconsistencies. These are as follows.
Synergie Minerals Make-up
Synergie Minerals is designed to work in perfect synergy with your skin, offering powerful anti-oxidants to nurture and improve skin health, a natural broad spectrum UV protection and amazing results. The products are free of paraben, talc and artificial colouring, so there is no solution "build-up" and your skin can "breathe".
Jane Iredale Mineral Make-up
This range of make-up is not just a refinement of regular make-up, it is a new technology that is also good for the skin and targeted for pimple treatments. It's so effective it is recommended by cosmetic surgeons, dermatologists and skin care professionals. [Click to reveal our fact sheet on Medical Skin Care Products]
Peels and Therapeutic Facials
- Concerns: Acne and minor scarring
- Solution: Our therapeutic, specialised acne facials, plus face and upper body peels are professional, medical-strength acne treatments designed to clear acne congestion, reduce sebaceous oil gland production, reduce inflammation and redness, promote healing and encourage skin renewal. These support your everyday skin care maintenance. Time: 30 minutes per facial, 30 minutes per face peel, 60 minutes per body peel
- Recovery: 0 days
- [Click to reveal our fact sheet on Peels and Therapeutic Facials]
Blue Light Therapy and ALA (aminolevulinic acid) Therapy
- Concerns: Mild to moderate acne and inflammation
- Solution: This is a simple, non-laser, non-UV light acne treatment therapy that penetrates deep into the acne cysts to destroy the acne-causing bacteria. It can be combined with ALA, which is applied to the skin before the light therapy to increase the photosensitivity of the bacteria.
- Time: 30 minutes per session
- Recovery: Overnight
What is it?
Blue Light Therapy is a simple and successful, non-laser, non-UV light therapy to improve mild to moderate acne and inflammation. The blue light penetrates deep into the acne cysts to destroy the acne-causing bacteria. It can be combined with ALA, which is applied to the skin before the light therapy to increase the photosensitivity of the bacteria. This form of therapy is extremely beneficial when used to treat acne in its early stages, as it prevents cystic acne and scarring. It is effective on all skin types.
What is acne?
Acne occurs when the sebum (oil) that normally drains to the surface of our skin gets blocked, causing pimples, comedomes and eventually cysts. Severe acne will always leave a level of scarring after the condition has healed, but in some cases even very mild acne can result in scarring. Although acne is a hormonal disease, the inflammation, infection and resultant skin damage is caused by the acne bacteria. These bacteria are resistant to most forms of treatment as they are trapped in closed pores and cysts. However, Blue Light Therapy is a successful way of killing these trapped bacteria.
Which areas can be treated?
Any area of the body where you find acne and acne scarring.
Is it safe?
Blue Light Therapy is fairly new to Australia but has been used safely and effectively in Europe and America for acne treatment for a number of years. As the light used doesn't contain any ultraviolet rays, there are no skin cancer concerns associated with this therapy.
How does it work?
The blue-violet beam of light targets the exact layers of sebaceous glands where most acne bacteria reside. It causes the oxidisation of certain chemicals (Porphyrins) within the acne bacteria, breaking down their cell walls.
What happens during the procedure?
You simply lie under a lamp that emits a blue-violet beam of light for short sessions. Special goggles are worn to shield your eyes from the light. The treatment is painless, so no anaesthetic is needed.
How long does the procedure take?
15-30 minutes per session. You will initially require 2 sessions per week for 4 weeks.
How long will my recovery be and what can I expect?
Recovery is overnight. You may experience temporary pigment changes, slight swelling of the treated areas as well as some skin dryness.
Is there any aftercare?
As we combine Blue Light Therapy with ALA your skin becomes more sensitive to sunlight for about 48 hours afterwards, so it's important to avoid the sun and practise sun protection during this period or you risk burning your skin - this can lead to infection and/or scarring.
This therapy is best combined with a comprehensive skin care regimen of cleansing, exfoliating and restoring the skin balance to keep the pores clean and free from reinfection. The clinicians at The Facial Rejuvenation Clinic will explain this in detail during your acne treatment session.
How long do the results last?
Following 4 weeks of treatment you should notice mild to significant improvement in your acne condition. Maintenance sessions may be needed, depending on the severity of your acne.
[Click to reveal our fact sheet on Blue Light Therapy and ALA (aminolevulinic acid) Therapy]
- Concerns: Mild acne, redness and poor skin texture
- Solution: The Fraxel laser skin resurfacing and rejuvenating machine offers breakthrough technology in deep laser resurfacing, providing a fresher appearance with rapid recovery.
- Time: 20 minutes per session (+ 2 hours preparation)
- Recovery: Overnight
The Fraxel-laser is the biggest breakthrough in skin repair and rejuvenation of this decade. This is due to the fact it can penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin (dermis) and the amount of skin treated each time can be varied. This makes it suitable for all skin conditions and all skin colours. Furthermore, results can be achieved without the downtime, pain and complications of traditional lasers that remove damaged layers of skin to stimulate skin renewal.
Due to the nature of the laser, treatments can tailored individually - reduced for minimal recovery and downtime or increased as necessary according to your needs. Acne and scarring treatments can also be personalised to achieve optimum results for all degrees of skin and facial rejuvenation and skin resurfacing to aid acne and resulting scarring.
At the Facial Rejuvenation Clinic, the variation of the laser technology used (Lite or re:store) will depend on the nature of your skin concern.
What is acne and acne scarring?
Acne occurs when the sebum (oil) that normally drains to the surface of our skin gets blocked, causing pimples, comodomes and eventually cysts. Severe acne will always leave a level of scarring after the condition has healed, but in some cases even very mild acne can result in scarring. This scarring is typically a red, raised area or indented marks that can distort the skin's texture. To successfully treat this type of scar, a resurfacing laser has to effectively remove and replace damaged tissue deep into dermal layer of the skin. This is the first true resurfacing laser that is capable of repairing the skin to a depth of 1.5mm - most resurfacing lasers only repair skin to a quarter or a fifth of this depth.
Which areas can be treated?
Any area of the body where you find acne and acne scarring. Unlike with other lasers, the neck, chest and hands can also be treated.
Is it safe?
The machine is FDA- and TGA-approved for use, which means it has been through rigorous investigation to ensure its safety. Fraxel has been trialled since 2000, was released into the market in 2004 and has been used for tens of thousands of treatments since. At the Facial Rejuvenation Clinic, we have completed more than 3000 treatments using the laser.
How does it work?
The Fraxel-laser drives thousands of individual columns of light (about the width of a hair) deep into the skin, leaving the remaining skin to stimulate collagen - the basic building blocks or structural support for our skin. The fraction of skin treated by the laser beams can be varied to 14-32 per cent - the microscopic columns of treated skin are eliminated slowly over many weeks as they are replaced by healthy new tissue. You will find your skin improves in thickness and elasticity (springiness), as well as in colour, lustre and tone.
What happens during the procedure?
The laser is rolled across the entire area it is treating eight or more times. Topical anaesthetic is applied before the procedure plus cold air is used during the procedure to minimise discomfort. Afterwards, cold compresses are applied to cool the skin. There is no skin breakage or burning - the skin remains dry. A sunscreen and a post-laser lotion are applied and often a dry, mineral powder camouflage make-up is used to cover the resulting redness. Most people feel comfortable travelling home by public transport.
How long does the procedure take? 15-30 minutes per session, depending on the size of the area treated (+ 2 hours preparation and 1 hour cooling time). Depending on your skin's needs, you will need 1-5 sessions, 2-6 weeks apart, for best results.How long will my recovery be and what can I expect?
You will have the appearance of a red, 'sunburnt' face for 1-3 days with some swelling, depending on the level of treatment you have experienced. Much deeper treatments may require a few more days of recovery. Most people arrange their treatments for a Friday or Saturday morning and comfortably return to work the following Monday.
Is there any after care?
Your home after-care is carefully discussed before and during each treatment session, which includes ongoing sunscreen protection. Also, you will need to return for a post-treatment facial to help with exfoliation and maximise new collagen stimulation.
How long do the results last?
Resurfacing can take up to 10 years off your skin's age, texture and colour, depending on your degree of skin damage before treatment. We recommend maintaining this improvement and slowing future ageing by using good skin care products containing anti-oxidants and always using sun protection. Scar repair should be permanent, and acne damage may not recur if sufficient treatments are completed, as many of the diseased oil glands are destroyed.
[Click to reveal our fact sheet on Fraxel Lite Skin Photo-Rejuvenation]
- Concerns: Acne, acne scarring, redness and poor skin texture
- Solution: Using the deepest true skin resurfacing technology, this treatment is safe and effective, does not break the surface of the skin and offers the quickest recovery time of similar skin resurfacing treatments. Generally viewed as the 'gold standard' in post acne scarring, it helps the skin regenerate collagen and rebuild a smoother surface.
- Time: 30 minutes per session (+ 2 hours preparation). You require 4-5 sessions for best results.
- Recovery: 2-3 days, due to red and slightly swollen skin
- [Click to reveal our fact sheet on Fraxel re:store Skin Resurfacing]
Starlux 500 Photodynamic Therapy
- Concerns: Acne and acne scarring
- Solution: This treatment combines Starlux 500 Photo-Rejuvenation with ALA (aminolevulinic acid) Therapy to target and treat damaged areas of skin.
- Time: 30 minutes per session. You require 4-6 sessions for best results.
- Recovery: Overnight
What is it?
The Starlux 500 is the most powerful and quickest of IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) machines on the market. It is renowned for its excellent cooling system, making it ideal for treating a number of skin conditions, including pigmentation and redness. Most other IPL machines don't generate sufficient power, surface cooling and appropriate wavelengths to create enough heat to effectively treat many skin conditions.
Which areas can be treated?
All areas of the face and body can be treated. As the light technology targets the melanin in the skin, the lighter your skin colour, the more effective your treatment will be. You can still be treated if you have darker skin, but you will most likely need a greater number of treatments.
Is it safe?
As with any type of IPL therapy, the procedure is completely safe when delivered responsibly. The clinicians at The Facial Rejuvenation Clinic are highly trained in Starlux 500 Photo-Rejuvenation.
How does it work?
A wavelength of light heats the melanin in the skin, causing it to break down.
What happens during the procedure?
The head of the machine is passed over the area to be treated delivering heat. Only the melanin is targeted by the light, while the surrounding skin is kept cool. The Starlux 500 delivers effective cooling to the surface of the skin, making it the least painful of all IPL machines, especially when used on sensitive areas.
How long does the procedure take?
20 minutes per session. Due to its power and effectiveness, fewer treatments will be required compared to most other IPL machines. You will require 4-8 sessions for best results.
How long will my recovery be and what can I expect?
Recovery is immediate or overnight, depending on the size and location of the treatment. The area may be a little red for a few hours.
Is there any after care? As with all skin treatments for various pigmentation, it is best to avoid the sun and use an SPF 30+ sunscreen at all times.How long will it last?
The results from the Starlux 500 can be significant but will depend on the nature of your skin condition. The technology is superior, therefore a reduction in pigmentation should be evident. Most conditions involving pigmentation require maintenance treatments and skin care protection, but avoiding the sun will increase the longevity of results.
[Click to reveal our fact sheet on Starlux 500 Photodynamic Therapy]
Gemini Photo-Rejuvenation
- Concerns: Acne, redness and poor skin texture
- Solution: This treatment combines the dual wavelength of vascular, skin collagen and pigment-repairing lasers with both KTP and YAG laser technology, resulting in the breakdown of larger pimples and cysts under the skin, reduced redness and pigmentation as well as enhanced healing.
- Time: 20 minutes per session
- Recovery: Overnight
Gemini Photo-Rejuvenation
What is Gemini Photo-Rejuvenation?
The Gemini laser has two frequencies for the treatment of skin conditions, namely, 532 nanometres (green KTP), and 1064 nanometres (Nd:YAG). The Nd:YAG laser is a deeper penetrating laser that can be used to treat deeper blood vessels and pigmentation, and also stimulate collagen regeneration for skin texture refinement, making it ideal for treating acne.
What is acne and acne scarring?
Acne occurs when the sebum (oil) that normally drains to the surface of our skin gets blocked, causing pimples, comodomes and eventually cysts. Severe acne will always leave a level of scarring after the condition has healed, but in some cases even very mild acne can result in scarring. This scarring is typically a red, raised area or indented marks that can distort the skin's texture. To successfully treat this type of scar, a resurfacing laser has to effectively remove and replace damaged tissue deep into dermal layer of the skin. Gemini Photo-Rejuvenation is a laser treatment that has provided good to excellent outcomes for acne and resulting scarring.
Which areas can be treated?
All areas of the body where you find acne and acne scarring can be treated. The most common area treated is the face.
Is it safe?
The Gemini laser has an astounding 23 FDA approvals for various skin treatments, making it very safe when operated by professionals. The clinicians at the Facial Rejuvenation Clinic are highly trained in Gemini Photo-Rejuvenation.
How does it work?
The Gemini laser is non-ablative and works by penetrating into the deeper layers of the skin and thereby stimulating collagen production from inside the skin. The energy from the KTP green laser is attracted to oxyhaemoglobin, a constituent of blood. This closes off both deep and superficial blood vessels, reducing capillaries, redness and flushing. It also stimulates collagen to refine texture.
What happens during the treatment?
The laser is passed multiple times across the area to be treated. A local anaesthetic is used to minimise discomfort.
How long do pimple treatments take?
10-20 minutes per session. You will need 1-6 acne treatments, 2-4 weeks apart, depending on the skin condition being treated.
How long will my recovery be and what can I expect?
Depending on how you are being treated, recovery is 0-3 days. For deeper pimple treatments, there can be some facial swelling and this may last up to3 days. There may also be an increased amount of redness, but this is temporary. Make-up can be used to mask any inconsistencies.
Is there any after care?
Avoid direct exposure to the sun for 48 hours following acne treatments and always use an SPF 30+ sunscreen and wear protective clothing. It is important not to pick at the skin or irritate the skin after treatment.
How long do the results last?
The results from Gemini laser treatment will depend on the severity of your skin condition. You may require maintenance pimple treatments, and this will be discussed during your consultation with one of our medical professionals.
[Click to reveal our fact sheet on Gemini Photo-Rejuvenation]
