Acne

Acne is a skin condition that affects the majority of the population at some point in their lives in varying degrees of severity. While most people who suffer from acne experience the condition when they reach puberty, adult acne can develop as late as your twenties or thirties. Characterised by congestion, redness and white pustules, acne most commonly affects the face but can also develop on the back and chest.

Common Acne Symptoms:

Clogged pores – these usually manifest as either whiteheads or blackheads and are caused by an overproduction of skin cells
Painful lumps – formed as either nodules or pus-filled cysts, these painful lumps sit much deeper below the surface of the skin than regular spots
Oily skin – it can be difficult to determine whether oily skin is a cause or symptom of acne, but it is commonly found in people with the condition
Bacteria – increased sebum production and clogged pores create the perfect environment for acne-causing bacteria to further multiply

Common Acne Causes:

Hereditary – if one of your parents has over productive sebaceous glands (oil glands) then this can be passed onto you
Diet – those with diets high in sugar, greasy food or alcohol can find that this causes unwanted breakouts
Deficiency – Acne has been linked to deficiencies in Zinc, Vitamin D and unhealthy gut bacteria
Hormones – Most women will find that they get a break out around the time of menstruation
Hygiene – Not removing make up thoroughly or having a comprehensive skin cleaning regime can exacerbate acne

How Best to Treat Acne?

Mild – This can be controlled with topical cosmeceutical skincare combined with monthly HydraFacial’s to deep clean the skin or chemical peels to calm inflammation.

Moderate – Topical skincare targeted towards oil control is essential with the addition of either salicylic acid based professional chemical peels, such as the Obagi blue radiance peel or HydraFacial to deep clean the skin. A consultation would determine the best solution for your specific skin condition.

Severe – Topical skincare targeted towards oil control is essential. A course of 3 salicylic acid based peels such as the Obagi blue radiance or Perfect Peel Suberblend peels would be recommended in close succession (2-4 weeks apart) to really get control of the acne and dry it out. After this point results can be maintained with either peels or HydraFacial, this would be determined after a consultation.

Every acne skin condition is unique and can be influenced by various factors, so we always recommend an initial consultation. During this consultation, a comprehensive skin analysis will be conducted to determine the most suitable treatment plan tailored to your goals, budget, and lifestyle.
All our treatments are focused on delivering results and have been clinically proven to ensure you achieve the clear skin you deserve.
With over 20 years of combined experience in the Aesthetic industry, we have encountered all grades and severities of acne. We have equipped ourselves with the necessary tools to manage all conditions effectively. Our clinic is renowned as the top skin clinic in Kenilworth and one of the best in Warwickshire, providing you with the assurance that you are in safe hands.
Scroll down to explore more information on the best treatments available for acne. Use the Book button to arrange an Obagi Blue Radiance Peel, Perfect Peel Superblend, HydraFacial or a general skincare consultation to discuss your options further.

Contact Us

If you would like to know more about Acne, please fill in the form and we will be sure to get back to you soon.

Skincare Consultation

We understand that there are a lot of treatments available and it can be hard to know what is right for your skin. That’s why we offer face to face or video call consultations to discuss your skin concerns and make a bespoke treatment plan based around your goals and budget.

Hydrafacial

The internationally renowned, multi award winning skin health treatment. HydraFacial is a multi step facial that effectively extracts congestion, softens fine lines, smooths and deeply hydrates the skin with instant results visible and long term benefits, suitable for all skin types with no pain and no downtime.

Alumier

Perfect Peel Superblend

The Perfect Peel Superblend is a hybrid peel, combining acids that work at both medium and superficial depths. Founded on Glutathione- the mother of all antioxidants- The Perfect Peel Superblend blends 8 skin-loving acids into a formula that delivers maximum impact with minimal risks.

Obagi Blue Radiance Peel

A chemical peel is a non-invasive way to improve the appearance of your skin. It works by using a chemical solution to smooth the texture of your skin by removing the damaged surface layers.

Mesoestetic

Mesoestetic are committed to the development and marketing of top-quality products, with scientifically proven result. Their progress is linked to ongoing research and collaboration with hospitals, universities and experienced specialists from the sector as the company works closely with these to research and develop new treatments.

ZO Skin Health

ZO is one of the most highly accredited and sought after skincare ranges in the world. Dr.Zein Obagi’s philosophy is to create & maintain healthy skin for life – for all clients.

Acne FAQs

What are 3 causes of acne?

Excess oil (sebum) production which leads to bacteria build up
Hair follicles clogged by oil, dead skin cells, makeup and dirt
Inflammation which can be caused by hormones, lifestyle or genetics

What are the 4 types of acne?

Type 1: Mild Acne – Consists of a small concentration of pimples and/or blackheads on the skin. It isn’t usually inflamed and doesn’t occur on a daily basis.

Type 2: Moderate Acne – Moderate acne consists of blackheads, pustules, papules and pimples on the skin. They occur more frequently and there may be some redness or inflammation around the affected area.

Type 3: Moderate to Severe Acne – Inflamed, with the skin looking red and irritated. Cysts, papules, and nodules may also be present.

Type 4: Severe acne – Extremely painful, there will be numerous pustules, cysts, papules and nodules in the affected area or on various parts of the body.

How can I clear up my acne?

The key to clearing acne is first knowing what your triggers are. Hormonal acne for example is the most difficult to clear as you have to treat the root cause of controlling your hormones first and foremost, this can be done with contraceptives and other medication.

Inflammatory acne can be caused by reactions to diet such as dairy, sugar or alcohol, it’s important to make a note of your triggers and see how and when your acne is appearing.

The key to clearing acne is ensuring you have a tailored cosmeceutical skincare routine to keep oil production at bay on a daily basis. This combined with targeted professional treatments like chemical peels or HydraFacial can get to a much deeper layer of the skin to deep clean it and improve the overall health of the skin.
For any severity of acne, a consultation is essential with a full skin analysis to determine the cause and severity so a unique plan can be made to help to significantly improve it.

What’s the main cause of acne?

Acne develops when sebum (oil produced by the skin) and dead skin cells clog hair follicles. Bacteria can trigger inflammation and infection resulting in the formation of pus and a pimple/acne is formed.

What food causes acne?

Sugar and some carbohydrates have been shown to contribute to acne in some cases. Examples include white bread, corn flakes, puffed rice, potato chips, white potatoes or fries, doughnuts or other pastries, sugary drinks such as milkshakes, and white rice.
Dairy (e.g. milk, cheese, yoghurt) has also been shown to contribute to acne production due to a high volume of hormones found within it. Alcohol can also be a trigger for a lot of people due to the high levels or sugar and inflammatory reaction to it within the body.
Not everyone’s acne will be affected by their diet but it’s a good idea to be aware of your triggers and how your skin reacts when you ingest certain foods/drinks.

What can make acne worse?

Not cleaning the skin thoroughly
Touching the skin regularly with dirty hands
Wearing thick makeup
Not removing makeup properly
Using thick moisturiser
Not using the right products for your skin
Having a high sugar/high dairy diet
Not cleaning your skin after exercising

Does stress cause acne?

The relationship between stress and acne has been misunderstood by many. Stress can’t directly cause acne. However, studies have shown that if you already have acne, stress can make it worse. Researchers have found that wounds, including acne, are much slower in healing when a person is under stress.

Does drinking water help acne?

While drinking is essential for your overall health, including skin health, there is no definitive research supporting the claim that drinking water will clear up acne.

What should I avoid if I have acne?

High levels of sugar, dairy, carbohydrate and alcohol in your diet
Using thick moisturiser, stick to oil free, lightweight hydrating gels and serums
Thick makeup, stick to mineral makeup to allow your skin to breath
Touching your face regularly with dirty hands
Exercising in makeup and not cleansing the skin after exercise

Do’s and don’ts for acne?

Don’t have high levels of sugar, dairy, carbohydrate and alcohol in your diet
Don’t use thick moisturiser
Don’t wear thick makeup
Don’t exercising in makeup and not cleansing the skin after exercise
Don’t get your skincare advice from influencers or celebrities who are being paid to sell them and have no actual knowledge or training in the skin
Do keep a diary of your skin triggers e.g. if you get a flare up after eating certain foods
Do use oil free, lightweight hydrating gels and serums
Do use oil controlling acids such as salicylic acid
Do use mineral makeup to allow your skin to breath
Do consult an Aesthetician at a reputable Aesthetic skincare clinic

What’s the best skincare for acne?

People with acne should always stick to oil free products and have high levels or exfoliating and oil controlling acids in their routine. Skincare is extremely unique to each individual, we would always recommend a skin analysis and consultation with one of our expert Aestheticians to see what’s going on underneath your skin, find out about your skin type, skin goals, budget and lifestyle, at which point we can make recommendations that will treat your personal skin needs. These are included for free with any treatment for a new client or can be booked as a stand alone consultation.

Can lack of sleep cause acne?

A lack of sleep has been proven to promote stress in the body, which can cause a spike in a hormone called cortisol. While stress cannot directly cause acne, it can contribute to it becoming worse.

Best acne treatment?

We tend to recommend either our Obagi Blue Radiance peel due to the high levels of oil controlling salicylic acid being extremely effective at drying out active acne, or HydraFacial which deep cleans and hydrates the skin removing congestion and impurities while simultaneously delivering key nutrients into the skin to improve its overall health.

What can I do to prevent acne?

Don’t have high levels of sugar, dairy, carbohydrate and alcohol in your diet
Don’t use thick moisturise or thick makeup
Don’t exercising in makeup and not cleansing the skin after exercise
Clean your skin every morning and every evening
Change your pillow case on a weekly basis

Acne treatment cost UK?

Prices will vary based upon your location, the quality of the machine being used and the experience of your practitioner. Head to our price list to see pricing of our Obagi blue radiance peel and HydraFacial treatments which are the most commonly recommended treatments for acne.