Acne is often associated with teenagers and the onset of puberty, but in fact acne can strike at any age and adult acne is more common than you may think. It is characterised by comedones, more usually referred to as blackheads and whiteheads, as well as pus-filled pimples or spots, also called pustules. Acne is commonly found on the face, neck, back and chest and varies in severity. As well as affecting self-esteem, with many women, in particular, using heavy make-up to hide spots, it can also go on to cause long-term scarring. Acne is caused by a hormonal imbalance which leads to an overproduction of sebum, the oil found in the sebaceous glands of the skin. Along with the excess oil, dead skin cells start to clog up the pores as they aren’t shed properly and the clogged follicles are the black and whiteheads we see. This build-up of oil is also a perfect environment for a bacteria called Cutibacterium acnes (previously called Propionibacterium acnes or p.acnes) which lives naturally on the skin but proliferates and triggers redness and the spot formation associated with acne. Treatments seek to reduce the presence of excess oil and make the skin an unsuitable environment for the bacteria.
The use of chemical peels to soften and improve the appearance of skin dates back to the ancient Egyptians. Today, scientists have identified numerous forms of acid which can be used to treat skin.
The use of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), red, yellow and blue light sources for the treatment of acne and for skin rejuvenation.
Until recently, topical preparations and oral medications, including antibiotics, have been used almost exclusively to combat acne. Now laser & light-based technologies and photodynamic therapy had been shown to improve acne.
There are many hundreds of different types of cosmeceutical skin care products on the market today that contain active ingredients and claim they can improve wrinkles and the appearance of ageing.
Agera Rx skin peels have been developed to treat ageing, acne and pigmentation. The peels deliver a stable form of Salicylic, L-ascorbic and Lactic acid.
Agera® is a comprehensive range of active skin care products and includes anti-ageing, anti-pigmentary and acne treatments that work together to produce visible results. The range include AGERA® and AGERA® Medical Formula.
Launched into the UK professional skincare market in 2016, the AlumierMD range includes cleansers, moisturisers, antioxidant serums, exfoliators, eye creams, sunscreens, a neck and décolleté cream and chemical peels; products being for both in-clinic and home use.
Using the Compositum peel range can visibly diminishes the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and areas of hyperpigmentation. It can also be used to improve the appearance of acne scars.
CosMedix™ Peels use a process called ‘chiral correction’, making the majority of the active ingredients that they use less irritating.
Dermaceutic chemical peels are a medical peel. Depending on the peel, they may contain glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or mandelic acid.
The DermaFrac system combines a micro-needling treatment with the deep tissue infusion of skin serums. Specifically it combines Crystal Free Microdermabrasion, Micro-needling and LED Therapy.
Dermalux™ Tri-wave LED Phototherapy is a non-invasive hand and facial treatment that uses narrow band, non-thermal LED light energy to trigger your body’s natural cell processes to accelerate rejuvenation and repair of the skin.
Epionce product range has been proven effective to reverse and help prevent the effects of visible skin ageing.
Developed in the US, by leading dermatologist, Dr Carl Thornfeldt, the Epionce Peels are formulated for all skin types. Epionce skin peels use a combination of malic and salicylic acids, along with botanical extracts which have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Green Peel®, created by Christine Schrammek in the early 80s in Germany is a superficial green herbal peel treatment consisting of a blend of natural (unspecified) herbs.
The Innovation Concept Peel, ICP is a peel treatment (salicylic acid, hydroquinone, kojic acid, phytonadione) for the elimination of all sorts of skin problems including freckles, age spots and scars.
iS Clinical® is the exclusive, cosmeceutical skincare range created by INNOVATIVE SKINCARE which uses state of the art technology and pharmaceutical grade botanical ingredients to target and treat acne, hyperpigmentation, eczema, rosacea, as well as the signs of ageing.
Using the Jan Marini regimen, glycolic acid - derived from cane sugar, you'll see healthier, younger-looking skin. It visibly diminishes the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
The combination of superficial peeling agents in Jessner's Solution, lactic acid, salicylic acid, resorcinol and ethanol has been used for a number of years.
Launched in the UK in September 2005, Mandel are a unique range of peeling products containing the natural ingredient mandelic acid (derived from bitter almonds).
Using an MD Forte ® regimen, glycolic acid - derived from cane sugar, you'll see healthier, younger-looking skin. It visibly diminishes the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
The Medik8® brand of skincare is produced by Pangea Laboratories Ltd. Medik8 has a full anti-ageing range taking the philosophy of ‘results without the irritation’ to cleansers, antioxidants, lighteners, retinoids, hydroxy acids and more.
Mene & Moy chemical peels are a medical peel and can only be carried out by trained doctors and nurses. They should not be confused with very mild glycolic peels available from beauty therapists.
Neostrata is a clinically proven professional skincare range featuring PolyHydroxy Acid (PHA) and amino sugar technologies.
Using a Neostrata peel regimen, you'll see healthier, younger-looking skin. Nesotrata peels can be used on the face, the neck, the chest and the hands.
Blue Peel significantly improves skin tightness and reduces fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, large pores and hyperpigmentation.
Obagi Medical Products has developed several different treatment programme systems of skincare products in addition to the Nu-Derm System, including the Obagi-C® Rx System, the Condition & Enhance® System, the ELASTIderm® family of products, the CLENZIderm M.D.™ Systems, Blue Peel®, Blue Peel RADIANCE®, an
Omnilux is a range of devices that use Light Emitting Diode or LED light to treat a wide range of skin complaints through photomodulation. The range includes the Omnilux Revive2 for anti-ageing, the Omnilux Blue for acne and the Omnilux Plus for healing and remodelling the skin.
Phenol peels are not very commonly used, but can be very effective, in experienced hands, as a skin resurfacing method for reducing the appearance of deeper lines and wrinkles.
The Radara™ system consists of a unique micro-channelling transdermal patch with a hyaluronic serum, that is designed to improve skin quality and reduce the visible signs of ageing.
Skinade is marketed as providing better skin from within. It is a nutraceutical supplementation product, and more specifically a collagen drink, designed to give healthier and more youthful skin.
Founded in 1997 by Dr. Sheldon R. Pinell, SkinCeuticals discovers, develops, and delivers innovative dermatology products that improve the overall health and appearance of the skin. Find UK Clinic stockists.
SkinCeuticals Gel Peel is ideal for those people who want to prep their skin prior to a more invasive peel. They can help to treat acne, dry skin, fine lines and wrinkles, photodamage and ageing skin.
Skintech Peels are a medical peel and can only be carried out by trained doctors and nurses. They should not be confused with very mild and gentle glycolic peels available from beauty therapists.
TEOXANE Laboratories are specialised in the development and manufacture of hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers with their Teosyal brand. TEOXANE Laboratories are now providing their exclusive RHA resilient hyaluronic acid® technology in a complete skincare regimen – this includes optimal hydration to strengthen, protect and plump the skin.
The Perfect Peel is founded on a key anti-ageing ingredient never before used in a chemical peel: Glutathione. It can be used on all skin types and requires no pre-peel skin preparation.
The Theraderm Peel is a superficial Jessner's solution chemical peel comprised of resorcinol, lactic acid, and salicylic acid.
ZO Skin Health was founded by world-renowned dermatologist Zein Obagi, MD. ZO Skin Health and ZO Medical professional skincare ranges aim to fight ageing skin, as well as treat acne, rosacea and pigmentation marks.