Acne is a common skin condition which frequently affects both teenagers and young adults alike of both sexes. However, adults of all ages from mid twenties through to mid fifties are increasingly affected and troubled by congested skin, blocked pores and skin blemishes. You don’t have to let acne spoil your life. Jasmines offers a range of successful acne treatments and products to help you.
What Causes Acne?
The presence of acne is often influenced by the following factors:
Hormones
For the majority of acne sufferers, outbreaks begin at puberty because the body begins to produce hormones called androgens. These hormones cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge, which is a natural part of the body’s development, but for acne sufferers these glands are over stimulated. Androgens are also responsible for acne flare-ups associated with the menstrual cycle and, on occasion, pregnancy.
Oily Skin
When the sebaceous gland is stimulated by androgens, it produces extra sebum (oil). Sebum mixes with common skin bacteria and dead skin cells that have been shed from the lining of the follicle. While this process is normal, the presence of extra sebum in the follicle increases the chances of clogging and can cause acne. Stress levels can also affect sebum production and therefore increase the severity of acne.
Bacteria
The bacterium, Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes for short), is present on all skins and is part of the skin’s natural sebum maintenance system. Once a follicle is blocked, P. acnes bacteria multiply rapidly, creating the chemical reaction we know as inflammation in the follicle and surrounding skin.
Inflammation
When you are exposed to unwanted bacteria your immune system sends in an army of white blood cells to attack. This is why pimples can be red, swollen and painful. The inflammatory response is different for everyone, but studies have shown that it is especially strong in adult women.
How does IPL Acne treatment work?
The innovative and advanced IPL system filters light from a flash lamp in two targeted ways to ensure that only light with the appropriate wavelength is allowed to reach the skin to prevent future acne. Haemoglobin, the red pigment in the blood, absorbs this light and heats up in the fine blood vessels that supply the sebaceous glands. This causes minor injury to the sebaceous glands, which decreases the overproduction of oil that leads to acne.
IPL reduces the P.acnes bacteria creating the spots and minimizes it’s ‘food supply’, whilst reducing inflammation and increasing the skins ability to heal itself (collagen production), and therefore reducing scarring. At the same time, the treatment can also reduce the appearance of red or brown areas of skin that are often associated with acne breakouts.
This is also a wonderful treatment for clearing an annoying spot or boil, especially before an important event where looking good is essential. In this case it would be best to use the treatment a week before the special date. It is also great for anyone with permanent acne, as they will greatly benefit from regular treatments.
Will IPL acne treatment work for me?
Most skin is suitable for treatment, except for very dark or tanned skin. IPL is also not recommended if you are pregnant or taking Roaccutane (acne medication).
What does treatment feel like?
For acne treatment using IPL merely creates a feeling of warmth and a “flicking of an elastic band” sensation can be felt over some areas of congestion.
How will my skin look after treatment?
For most people the skin is calmed and the inflammation surrounding individual spots is also reduced. Occasionally you may experience some slight redness in the skin however this should be minimal and only last for up to a few hours.
How many treatments will I need?
Like you, acne is highly individual and response to treatments does vary from person to person. Improvement can be seen with every treatment, although a course of five treatments about four weeks apart generally gives the best results.
More specific and detailed information is given during The Consultation
During your initial consultation, we will check your medical history with you to ensure there are no reasons for you not to have the treatment. With your well-being in mind, we will always perform a patch test (an IPL treatment on a very small area of skin) prior to a full treatment, to rule out any sensitivities or adverse effects you may have in response to the treatment. Following this, we can then book a convenient time for you to return for your next and full session, normally within 48 hours.
A Patch Test costs £30.00 which is redeemable against your first full session.