• Uses highly active peptides and nanotechnology to drastically bring acne under control while stimulating collagen and elastin without irritation.
• The ingredients in the peel are deeply penetrating, they have the potential to reach the reticular dermis but are not associated with any downtime or discomfort.
• A series of Vitamin C, AHA’s (Alpha hydroxy acids), BHA’s (beta hydroxy acids) and PHA (Polyhydroxy acids) are used in combination with increasing strengths over a 2-3 month period.

• The treatment is suitable for anyone with mild to moderate Acne. This is a very safe peel without any downtime or shedding of the skin, therefore the most sensitive skins would be suitable for the treatment.

• Allergy to Salicylic/Aspirin
• Active herpes or cold sores
• Allergic to any one of the listed ingredients
• If facial waxing, epilight or depilatory creams used within the last 48 hours
• Roaccutane (refrain for 6 months)
• Any pre-existing connective tissue diseases
• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding

• Prior to the treatment, you must first undergo a consultation where details about your medical history are obtained in order to confirm suitability.
• We will discuss your lifestyle habits and homecare skin protocol.
• Your Skin Practitioner will assess the severity of your acne and any scarring, and recommend the most suitable protocol to you.

• The face is first cleansed with a salicylic acid wash to remove any makeup or debris from the skin.
• A peel prep is then used to prepare the skin for the peel.
• The peel is applied all over the face & the skin is kept cool with a fan.
• A second layer of the peel is applied and then a third if required.
• The skin is dried with a fan and then soaked in ice cold water.
• After 15 minutes the peel is removed.
• A high strength Vitamin C and oil free moisture are applied to the skin.

• A typical treatment session is approximately 30-45 minutes.

• Treatment is mildly uncomfortable but no anaesthesia is required.
• You might feel mild sting while the peel is activated.
• All of our patients tolerate the treatment very well and some find the treatment relaxing.

• For optimal results, a series of Agera Rx acne peels need to be combined with Medical Microdermabrasion to help remove blackheads and diminish existing acne scars.
• A series of peels increasing in strength over a 2-4 month programme is recommended. We recommend a minimum of 6 treatments spaced out every 2 weeks.
• This programme will sterilise, brighten & reduce active blemishes.
• Tailored home care products recommended by the therapist should be used to enhance the clinic treatments.

• This is a relatively safe peel to use with minimal irritation and side effects. The Agera Peels are non-glycolic and do not cause the upper layers of the skin to shed.
• There may be possible irritation and reddening of the skin.
• You will need to apply Sun Protection as your skin may be more sensitive to the sun.
• You may experience some flaking and dryness of the skin as a reaction to increased stimulation to the epidermal cell layer.

1. Antibiotics

• Doctors commonly prescribe Tetracycline, Minocyline, Doxycycline, Clindamycin (although this is widely prescribed as a topical antibiotic). This curb the body’s production of bacteria that causes acne.
• You will have to be patient to see results; it can take weeks to several months.
• Also, you need to remember once you stop taking the Antibiotics the Acne will probably come back.
• Remember oral antibiotics can produce unwanted side effects, including an upset stomach and diarrhoea, and because of the dangers of bacterial resistance, their long-term use is not recommended.
• You can take antibiotics until your symptoms have been brought under control at which point Laser/Light systems can be used to prevent further flare-ups.

2. Contraceptive Pill

• A combination of estrogen and progentin took orally are often prescribed for hormonal Acne. Dianette is the most common for acne.
• The problem with birth control pills is that some women can experience brown blotches or melasma(hyperpigmentation) on the skin.
• At Leicester Laser Clinic we are noticing more and more clients with pigmentation due to using the contraceptive pill. This is more common in Indian/Asian women.

3. Isotretinoin/Roaccutane

• You have to be referred to a dermatologist to be prescribed Roaccutane. It is only prescribed in severe cases of acne.
• This drug reduces the amount of sebum you make in the sebaceous glands.
• There are serious side effects associated with this medication.
• Most people will experience dryness of the skin and & cracking of the lips.
• However if you have severe cystic acne, Roaccutane may be the only treatment option.

4. Corticosteroid Injection

• For severe cystic acne, a shot of this injection would reduce inflammation and help heal the skin quicker.

5. External Medication

• Topical Retinoids – They are a derivative of vitamin A, they are used to unclog pores in the skin.
• Topical Antimicrobials – Such as Benzoyl peroxide, they create an environment where bacteria cannot survive. The main drawback of using Benzoyl peroxide is that it can cause excessive dryness, peeling and stinging.

• Many wonders if Acne could be related to diet. Greasy foods such as pizza, fries, cheeseburgers including chocolate and fizzy drinks have been linked to acne. However, to date, there is no hard evidence or clinical trials to suggest that any diet can cause or prevent acne.
• There have been some studies which have documented a connection between diet and acne. Some have wondered if the hormones present in milk could induce acne or whether a low glycemic diet could prevent acne.

Glycemic Diet

• A high glycemic diet pushes your blood sugar high quickly which means more insulin in your blood stream. An increase in Insulin levels can upset the hormonal balance of your body. This can trigger changes in your body that can lead to the growth of pore-clogging cells.
• A study in the American Journal of Nutrition suggests that you may have fewer breakouts if you add more whole grains, beans and veggies and cut back on pasta, white rice, white bread and sugar. The theory is that these refined carbs cause your insulin levels to spike, which in turn leads to increased sebum production and clogged pores.
• Our Western diet is deprived of omega 3s and is also a diet rich in carbohydrates. It has been reported that people living in Kitavan Islands and the Ache hunter gathers of Paraguay do not suffer from acne and this is associated with their low glycemic diet consisting mainly of fresh fruits, vegetables and lean proteins.
• The omega 6 fatty acids are thought to induce more pro-inflammatory mediators and have been associated with the development of inflammatory acne. However intake of higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids is associated with decreases in inflammatory factors. There are also studies that demonstrate increasing the intake of omega 3 fatty acids through a diet rich in fish and seafood results in lower rates of inflammatory disease.
• Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “ Pizza, burgers, chocolate and all the other old-wives tale culprits do seem to have a negative effect on the skin and science is finally catching up”.

Dairy and Acne

• There have been studies that have found a link between consumption of Diary and increased acne.
• Dairy free diet is known to work for some people with Acne. A large amount of dairy is known to increase testosterone levels in the body.
• Cows that lactate and produce milk produce hormones. Dairy cows are kept on sex hormones or pregnant so they can lactate so when you drink dairy you are also consuming some amounts of these hormones. Selective breeding of dairy cattle, the use of drugs and injecting the cow with a genetically modified growth hormone allows the cow to produce more milk means the quality of cow’s milk is not the same as it once was.
• Dairy consumptions spike up male hormones, androgens and testosterone and increase insulin levels same as sugary foods do.
• The problem when you consume dairy is that those hormones in cows end up targeting your skin’s oil glands. The hormones from cows also cause skin cells inside your pores to multiply and get stuck together, which together with the excess sebum clogs your pores.
• So Milk hormones can affect our hormones and trigger acne and inflammation.
• A 2007 study carried out by Harvard School of Public Health found that there was a link between those who drank cow’s milk regularly and suffered from acne.
• This is Not to say that everyone who consumes dairy breaks out. Although the link between milk and acne is controversial it is worth investigating.

So what are your options?

1. Total Elimination of Dairy – stop eating all sources of dairy for 30 days. If your skin improves you know dairy is the trigger.
2. Slowly reduce the amount of dairy you consume, try to substitute cow’s milk for dairy, avoid pizzas or putting cheese on pasta. If you see a positive change you can go further and eliminate it from your diet.

Summary

• There is no hard based evidence or clinical trial to clearly state that diet causes Acne. However, a good healthy diet is essential for the skin; an unhealthy diet with high sugar levels may aggravate the acne.
• If you are serious about changing your diet, it would be advisable to see a nutritionist.
• Changing Diet alone is not going to heal acne, it’s a combination of diet, in clinic treatments, homecare and lifestyle change that’s going to make a real difference.
• At your consultation, our therapist will devise a personalised treatment programme for you, which will include you’re in clinic IPL acne and skin peel treatment programme, your homecare skin routine and lifestyle changes.

• There is no research that confirms stress causes Acne however we do know that stress can aggravate acne.
• Stress can spar the hormonal imbalances that cause Acne.

Stress can increase inflammation in the body

• Stress plays havoc on your immune system. When you are under stress your body secretes stress hormones including cortisol. Because stress seems to be long term hormones are released continuously. Cortisol can influence other hormones in your body, and since acne is a mainly hormonal process, it can get worse.
• The immune system overdrive is inflammation. The inflammatory response in the skin can lead to the walls of these pores breaking. The pore turns red and fills with pus and the cycle of Acne continues. You can calm your acne by keeping cortisol levels in a healthy range.

Stress can cause oil glands to go into overdrive

• Cells that produce sebum have receptors for stress hormones. At times of stress, more sebum is produced by your sebaceous glands and we know that more sebum leads to clogged pores and in turn acne.
• When we stress our adrenal glands go into overdrive. The male hormone androgens increase which leads to more sebum production.

Ways to reduce stress

You need to eliminate stress as much as you can. The following are excellent ways to manage stress:

• Exercise is a great way to battle stress. 30 minutes of exercise a day will deliver oxygen to your skin making it hard for acne bacteria to thrive. Cardiovascular activities also promote healthy circulation in the skin.
• A Good night’s sleep is a stress reducer. 8 hours a night is recommended to reduce excess cortisol and let your skin regenerate.
• Relax your mind and body with meditation. Yoga loosens up tense muscles in the body and the poses focus on the mind and breathing. Yoga is excellent at balancing the bodies hormones.
• Regular massages can relieve stress. A monthly massage is recommended to improve the vitality of the mind. Clinical studies show that even a single 1.5 hour massage can significantly lower your heart rate, cortisol levels and insulin levels.

Baking Soda

• Who knew that a simple, everyday household item would help Acne. It exfoliates and helps keep a balanced PH of the skin. Instructions: mix some baking soda with water so it’s a thick paste. Apply with a brush all over the face. Leave on for 30 mins, the mask will become hard and crumbly. Wash off with cool water. Dab face with moisturiser. Can be repeated twice a week.

Acne scrub

• This home-made scrub will exfoliate your skin. Instructions: you will need: 1 tbs Organic coconut oil, 1 tbs raw honey, 1/4 Lemon and 1 tbs Brown sugar. Mix all the ingredients till well combined and smooth consistency. Apply all over face and massage lightly for 5 minutes. Wash with cool water, dab face dry and apply coconut oil moisturiser.

Mashed up Papaya Mask

• Papaya contains an enzyme called papain which reduces the inflammation and helps prevent the pus from forming. Apply mashed up papaya on the face and leave on for 15-20 minutes, remove with cool water.

For Acne Scarring you can try grating nutmeg and mix with warm milk. Scrub on a face for few minutes and leave for 20 minutes. This will lighten pigmented scarring from Acne.

Other useful Acne tips

• Wash your pillow case regularly, it can house dirt or oil. Your pillow is in contact with your face for at least 6-8 hours when you sleep at night.
• Wash your face properly at night, ensure all makeup is off before you sleep and leave your skin alone, stop touching your face.
• Keep your body hydrated throughout the day. Drink lots of water to flush out toxins.
• Drink Coconut water daily, this will cleanse the liver. Coconut water contains a high amount of potassium as well as other essential minerals and vitamins. The unique nature of coconut water has a positive effect on the skin, helping it maintain its normal functions.