Acne Treatment with NeoClear & Reverse Neo
At Rejuvence Clinic we have a number of signature treatments for acne. Our in house acne specialist – Dr Naeem Mitha, specialises in the assessment and medical treatment of Acne.
Our gold standard treatment is NeoClear from Aerolase Neo Elite alongside the ‘Reverse Neo’ protocol combining a non-ablative Nd:YAG laser (Neo Elite) with a fully ablative Erbium:YAG (Era Elite) tackling both active acne as well as scarring left behind. We can combine this with powerful E50 Exosome technology for further facial rejuvenation.
Alongside these amazing new treatment options, Dr Mitha is able to create a bespoke topical skin care program to help control and reduce acne.
What is Acne?
Acne is a common disorder that arises from hair follicles and their associated sebaceous glands. The severity of acne is related to the amount of sebum produced by sebaceous glands. Sebum is an oily substance produced by the skin that lubricates hair and skin. Sebum is also a powerful inflammatory agent affecting the shedding of cells from the epidermis – upper layer of the skin. This can result in the blockage of pores resulting in whiteheads and blackheads.
What lifestyle factors can worsen acne?
Sebum production is increased by hot showers, hot baths, saunas, steam rooms and excessive sweating. Dietary factors can also worsen acne and include eating non-organic dairy products, diets with high sugar content as well as stimulants including caffeine. Inappropriate use of skin products can also significantly worsen acne especially overuse of moisturisers. Attempts to squeeze or extract whiteheads or cysts can increase the depth of lesions, increase inflammation and acne flare ups. Squeezing spots can also leave behind marks and scars.
What steps can prevent and control acne?
Important lifestyle changes that can help to prevent acne or moderate acne flare ups include all factors that prevent increased levels of sebum in the skin. This includes not using heavy moisturisers and never using heavy foundation.
Every morning good skin preparation is essential. Cleansing using oily skin cleanser followed by a scrub consisting of non-irritating essential exfoliating polish will help to clean the skin and also reduce sebum. Use of sebum-reducing pads are also recommended and form part of the ZO acne program.
Stabilisation and correction of skin health with an alpha-hydroxy acid exfoliator is recommended for barrier repair. Essential Daily Power Defense is a combination of retinol, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that help to calm any acne flare ups. If necessary oral isotretinoin (RoaccutaneTM) supplement (20mg/day) maybe required initially. It is important to note that if oral isotretinoin is taken, significant procedures should not be attempted for at least 4 to 6 months after isotretinoin has been stopped. The ZO Acne System incorporates the preventative and treatment steps described, to help clear up acne.
NeoClear by Aerolase Neo Elite
NeoClear’s Comprehensive Acne Treatment
NeoClear by Aerolase Neo Elite laser offers patients of all skin types a new safe, effective, and uniquely gentle treatment for acne using advanced 650-microsecond Nd:YAG technology. NeoClear is a powerful acne treatment that eliminates the major factors causing acne, including:
- excess sebum production,
- inflammation,
- and the p. acnes bacteria.
In many cases, patients require a dizzying array of complex multi-pronged treatments, consisting of oral and topical medications and skin care options to address these factors, but NeoClear can create impressive results with a single device.
The unique settings of the 650-microsecond device allow energy to penetrate deeply into the skin within a highly safe and tolerable pulse to reduce sebum production, suppress inflammation, and destroy the p. acnes bacteria, clearing up current acne breakouts while also stopping them in the future. Additionally, the deep heating energy helps build collagen, which can reduce the appearance of acne scars and leave skin looking radiant.
Book a consultation with our acne specialist, Dr Naeem Mitha, who can carry out a full assessment and provide you with a bespoke Aerolase Neo Clear treatment program to get your acne cured.
What is Nd:YAG Laser?
Nd:YAG laser has a wavelength of 1064 nm with a penetration of 4 mm. It is suitable for use on all skin types, especially darker skin types. It is a non-ablative laser and hence does not affect the top layer of the skin. In addition the side-effects associated with this laser are much less than ablative lasers such as CO2 fractional laser.
Aerolase Neo Elite uses this same wavelength but has the added benefit of a much shorter 650-microsecond pulse duration. This enables a fast and highly precise energy delivery within ultra short pulses ensuring there is minimal damage to the surrounding skin and tissues. This means higher energy settings can be used provising more effective results, safely and with less pain.
The Nd:YAG laser is used as the gold standard for hair removal, especially on darker skin types. It works by destroying the pilosebaceous unit. The pilosebaceous unit consists of the hair follicle, associated sebaceous gland that is responsible for secreting sebum (oil) and apocrine glands. The sebaceous glands that secrete sebum result in oily and congested skin especially if they are overactive and this can result in the blockage of pores leading to white and blackheads and subsequently worsening acne. By destroying the pilosebaceous unit the levels of sebum production are significantly reduced and thereby acne also improves.
NeoClear treatments typically take between 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the severity of your acne and the size of the treatment area. NeoClear is safe, effective, and tolerable for all skin types and all subtypes of acne. The treatment can be performed without any skin cooling, anaesthetic, or skin contact. We recommend a series of at least 4 sessions with about 3 weeks between each session. Our acne specialist, Dr Naeem Mitha, can also recommend and prescribe a range of topical products to complement NeoClear and ensure the best results possible can be achieved.
Yes Nd:YAG laser treatment can be combined with other acne treatments. Well documented combination treatments include Nd:YAG laser along with blood plasma therapy – Angel Arthrex and Magellan. Other treatments that work well with Nd:YAG laser for acne are listed below.
Reverse Neo for Acne Scarring
Severe cystic acne and multiple lesions can leave pits with significant scarring and hyperpigmentation. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is particularly a problem in darker skin types, especially skin types IV to VI. Acne scars can be classified as ice pick scars, rolling scars and boxcar scars.
Aerolase Era Elite is a fully ablative Erb:YAG laser suitable in all skin types thanks to its 300-microsecond pulse duration and precise depth control with no demarcation lines enabling bespoke skin resurfacing. It is similar to a Fraxel CO2 laser but is safer in darker skin types.
Aerolase Era Elite can be combined with Neo Elite to offer a fully ablative resurfacing treatment to help improve contours and poor skin texture and skin tone immediately following deep dermal collagen stimulation with Neo. The unique ‘Reverse Neo’ protocol combines Neo and Era in a single session to offer excellent results. The ‘Reverse Neo’ protocol has can finished off with Target Cool delivered topical rejuvenating E50 Exosomes. This speeds up recovery and can help with redness and pigmentation.
Other treatment options include microneedling combined with Radio-Frequency Energy in the form of Sylfirm X in combination with Target Cool delivered topical rejuvenating E50 Exosomes.
More old school approaches to acne scar improvement includes chemical peels such as the ZO 3 Step Peel or Controlled Depth Blue Peel. Pigmentation can initially be addressed by incorporating hydroquinone into any bespoke skin care program in an attempt to bleach, and in combination with Vitamin A, blend the skin producing a more even skin tone and reduction in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation scars.
What is J-Plasma FACE?
At Rejuvence we are the first and only clinic in the UK to offer this revolutionary new treatment. Jason Emer, a prominent cosmetic doctor from Beverly Hills, California, described J-Plasma (RenuvionTM) as the most revolutionary treatment to hit the cosmetic industry in the last 10 years. J-Plasma face is a new facial resurfacing treatment similar to fraxel CO2 laser and can help to treat scars from acne including ice pick and boxcars. Although it is associated with a significant downtime the results are worth waiting for. For further details please contact the clinic for a consultation.
Hormonal factors that can worsen acne include systemic hormonal abnormalities such as polycystic ovarian syndrome. Hormonal changes during puberty and changes before and during a woman’s period can also have a negative impact on acne. Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can also worsen acne although this can be quite variable.
At Rejuvence our Aerolase NeoClear and Era Elite laser treatments consistently deliver fantastic results. NeoClear helps to clear active acne and we use protocols published in peer reviewed medical journals to ensure we provide our clients with the most up to date treatment settings. The Era Elite provides full ablative laser safe for all skin types – even darker Afro-Carribean skin types. Combination of the two lasers in a ‘Reverse Neo’ protocol offers the best of both with fantastic results. All treatments are directed by Dr Mitha and he is able to put together a tailor made topical skin care package alongside your laser package to give you the best results.
In our experience we have found a few products that really work very well. These include, first and foremost, ZO Oil Control Pads from Zein Obagi. All our clients who have started using this product have found they are able to significantly reduce the oiliness of their skin and hence reduce the number of breakouts. This together with an Oily Skin Face Wash and Spot Treatment, also from Zein Obagi work great. Dermalux LED Phototherapy has been shown to provide some respite and supplement topical and oral treatments during acne flare ups. Multiple sessions of phototherapy every week can supplement the ZO Acne System and provides some relief thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties as well stimulate, repair and regenerate the skin. At Rejuvence Clinic we have the Dermalux LED system and have had a great response from clients. For further details please contact us to arrange a free consultation.
Rejuvence Philosophy
At Rejuvence we understand the psychological distress that can accompany problematic and stubborn acne. It can lead to low confidence and self-esteem that can compromise personal relationships and performance in the workplace. The key to acne control is sebum reduction. We are able to guide sufferers through a variety of skin care options in an attempt to control symptoms. Once under control, we have the experience and expertise to improve any scarring and pigmentation problems.
