Bespoke Acne Facial
Acne is renowned for being extremely difficult to treat, and if you’re reading this you’re likely either suffering from Acne, currently medicated for Acne, or “post-Acne” (post-inflammatory effects of Acne). It’s also likely that you’re currently fed up with wading through the plethora of information online and in the “real world”, and trying to decipher what really works in healing your skin. You may also be thinking you need some direction, support, and maybe a hand-hold (or even a shoulder to cry on) – an Acne Specialist to coach you, guide you, or simply tell you ‘what you need to do” or what products to use. We can help! If you are looking for an Acne Facial in London or can travel to London regularly, then our Bespoke Acne Facial is just for you. Many of our clients tell us “I’m so glad to finally find you!”, and “you do the best Acne facial near me” – maybe you will feel the same about us too, but you won’t know until you try.
WHY IS THE BESPOKE ACNE FACIAL THE BEST ACNE FACIAL IN LONDON?
Our Bespoke Acne Facial is unique as it is customised to you and your skin, and not only is it customised to you, but customised to you every time you have the treatment. This is important, as Acne goes through different stages of growth, development, and healing, and a single facial protocol would be woefully unsuitable.
THE
5 MAIN STAGES
of the
ACNE LIFE CYCLE
PRE-INFLAMMATION STAGE
Micro-comedones that are visually dormant and awaiting eruption. It could take 30-90 days for lesions to appear.
02
INFLAMMATION STAGE
The classic “Acne” stage where pimples, papules and pustules of various sizes are present.
03
POST-INFLAMMATORY ERYTHEMA
Lesions have depressed and flattened, however, inflammation is still present and redness persists.
04
POST-INFLAMMATORY HYPERPIGMENTATION
Darkening of the skin where Acne lesions were present. This is typically worse in darker skin.
05
ACNE SCARRING
Scarring where lesions were present. They vary in size and type depending on the depth and severity of the inflammation. Cystic Acne cases typically are at higher risk and have deeper scars.
Not every Acne sufferer goes through all stages – one could go through one or two stages. Or even every single stage. The key point is: each stage can last for years. And the main thing to remember is: prevention is better than cure. Preventing Acne from forming in the first place mitigates the risk of an expensive, frustrating, and time-consuming journey
OUR
BESPOKE ACNE FACIAL
IS SUITABLE FOR:
- Hormonal Acne
- Teen Acne
- Adult Acne
- Cystic Acne
- Pre & Post Roaccutane (Isotretinoin) and/or Antibiotics
IMPORTANT:
* If you are pregnant or nursing, we are unfortunately unable to treat you with our Bespoke Acne Facial in our London clinic. However, we do offer an Acne Consultation service along with prescribed skincare to help you manage your skin. Contact us for more information.
** Often clients lament “I can’t find an Acne Facial near me” as they don’t live in or near London. If this is you, we can still help remotely via our Acne Consultation service coupled with prescribed skin care. Contact us for more information
*** Please note, due to the powerful modalities and active ingredients used in the facial, there is a chance you may purge afterwards. Microcomedones (Acne at the early stages of formation) can reside deep within the skin and take up to 30 to 90 days to emerge. The key to our Bespoke Acne Facial is a two-pronged attack: 1) heal Acne lesions already present on the skin, and 2) prevent further breakouts by prescribed skincare, lifestyle, and regular facials for Acne.
Add Your Heading Text Here
OUR
360 degree approach
to treating acne
Our Bespoke Acne Facials are never just a standalone treatment. We combine this with our unique 360-degree approach to treating skin, which encompasses a thorough and iterative consultation process to uncover any potential Acne triggers. This includes taking into account: nutrition, lifestyle, familial background, skin history, and diet. Prescribed skincare ensures continuity of treatment results, improvement of skin health, and the skin nourished from the outside in.
The issue with acne is that it is a complex multifactorial condition. Sufferers typically look for that miracle one thing, and sometimes over a period of years, are often left disappointed and frustrated. This is why our approach to identifying and eliminating the root cause of Acne, coupled with regular facials for Acne, and prescribed home care is the key to long-term success. Clients who have gone down the medicated route (Isotretinoin, Antibiotics, etc) may have had little to no success. Or, have had success, but their Acne has returned once the medication stopped. This is very common and is known as the “Rebound Effect”, and is often not discussed during medical consultations. The Rebound Effect is simply because the root cause of the client’s Acne was not established at the beginning, and the medication was simply a sticky plaster over the symptoms.
Treating Acne is an art and not magic (!), and although we have had success in improving acneic skin in as little as a couple of months, your commitment and cooperation in this collaborative journey are key to its outcome. This may or may not require a complete lifestyle change on your part (depending on the root cause), however the most success comes from those who are prepared and willing to do so.
WHAT TO EXPECT
As a first-time client, you will be sent a comprehensive Acne Consultation Form, covering various aspects of your lifestyle, diet, nutrition, Acne history, etc. We want to delve deep into you and your skin history, leaving no stone unturned to uncover any potential Acne triggers. On the day of your appointment, we sit down with you to go over your Acne Consultation Form in detail, before analysing your skin, and commencing treatment.
During treatment, we will blend a variety of modalities, serums, and techniques that we feel are most beneficial for your skin that day. Over time, your skin will change and improve, and we will modify the facial as needed. Modalities and techniques could include:
RED / BLUE LED PHOTOTHERAPY
Helps calm inflammation, and redness, heal skin, encourage collagen formation, and kill C. Acnes bacteria.
Kills biofilm which encases Acne bacteria and prevents Acne and Acne scars from healing.
Infusion of various vitamins and serums into the skin to support hydration, healing, and encourage collagen formation.
Various masks use during treatment to support the skin at different stages of the healing process.
Ultra-deep cleansing of the skin and pores of impurities, sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria.
Only congestion and blackheads that are easily extracted. Stubborn blackheads and congestion will not be extracted (i.e. extracted at later date) to minimise further inflammation on already damaged and sensitive skin
Encourages blood flow, stimulation, and lymph drainage.
*Please note, due to the powerful modalities and active ingredients used in the facial, there is a chance you may purge afterwards. Microcomedones (Acne at the early stages of formation) can reside deep within the skin and take up to 30 to 90 days to emerge. The key to our Bespoke Acne Facial is a two-pronged attack: 1) heal Acne lesions already present on the skin, and 2) prevent further breakouts by prescribed skincare, lifestyle, and regular facials for Acne.
WHY US?
As Acne Specialists, we have studied and trained with some of the world’s best cosmetic scientists, educators, and experts in Acne. We don’t just learn the hands-on delivery of facials for Acne, we try to understand the theory and science behind it. Seeing our clients’ confidence come back and lives change “just” from having clear skin is the most rewarding accolade for us, and fuels our passion in this field. We are constantly educating ourselves on the latest research and cutting-edge modalities to find the most effective and efficient way to treat our clients’ skin. This is important, as mentioned further above, treating Acne is an art and not magic. There is no definitive answer, no one size fits all, but that is a challenge we love to take on.
Our clients come from all walks of life, and of differing ages (they are not all young teenagers!). We have many clients who come to us, either:
- having been on medication such as Roaccutane (Isotretinoin) or Antibiotics, who subsequently have or haven’t had success in treating their Acne, or
- clients who are not quite ready to go down the medicated route but require treatment and support, or
- currently on medication such as Roaccutane (Isotretinoin) or Antibiotics, and experiencing changes in the quality and condition of their skin.
- We are also very popular with clients who prefer to go down a holistic route of treating Acne, as we adopt a 360-degree approach to treating Acne, which includes lifestyle and dietary factors
You may not be someone that fit neatly into any of the above categories, and that’s ok too. Whatever your concern is with your Acne condition, please feel free to reach out to us for support for specialist Acne support.
OUR SKINCARE PRODUCTS
By the time you’ve reached us, you’ve probably spent an exorbitant amount of time, energy, and resources finding that elusive product (or products) that could help heal your Acne. There’s also a chance your bathroom cabinet is stocked high with “Acne fighting products” which were used only a handful of times. Or, maybe you don’t have many products, but are prepared to start a “proper” regime and need some guidance. What is noticeably obvious is that 9 times out of 10, our first-time clients have incredibly lipid dry, dehydrated, and severely barrier-impaired skin.
Whether it is from Roaccutane use, picking, or stripping their skin with drying treatments or products, the majority of our new clients require an extensive course of rehydration and replenishment of lost lipids to rebuild their skin barrier to ultimately create Acne-free healthy skin.
In addition, conventional advice about Acne typically entails products or remedies that are too harsh and disrupt your skin barrier. For example, Benzoyl Peroxide or aggressive chemical peels can provide temporary visual improvement, but can also cause Acne to return and long-term damage to your skin.
This is where our Acne skincare products and approach differ from the conventional approach: we utilise products that are Corneotherapy leaning (see below), healing, non-drying, and non-aggressive, with a focus on soothing, repairing, rebuilding, and improving hydration. It is not too dissimilar to an anti-ageing regimen! This is because, your Acne lesions are already wounds. We should be focusing on wound healing – this requires strengthening the skin, rebuilding the skin and increasing hydration (just as you would when you have a regular wound). The opposite tends to be the case for people with acneic skin – over-using active ingredients that strip away at the skin barrier and further impair the integrity of the already weakened and inflamed skin.
This is why choosing the correct skin care products is imperative in healing your Acne, and why prescribed skin care is like nutrition for your skin. There is a saying “you can’t exercise your way out of a bad diet”. The same is true for acne: you can’t facial away from a bad home care regimen.
Which products are best for me?
To ascertain which products are best suited for you, please email us some recent clear photographs (front, left and right of face) along with a brief description of your skin history, and we will get back to you.
CORNEOTHERAPY
REPLENISH. REPAIR. REGENERATE.
Our philosophy for skincare and treating skin conditions, such as Acne, is via an approach called Corneotherapy. This is the science of repairing and maintaining the outer layers of skin (Stratum Corneum) to improve skin health. When the integrity of the skin barrier is compromised, it increases the chance of skin conditions such as accelerated ageing, pigmentation, Acne, etc. Once the skin and skin health is repaired and restored to homeostasis, healthy skin and improvement of skin conditions automatically follow.
All our products and treatment modalities are selected based on whether it improves skin health. You will never see us using aggressive modalities or treatments (i.e. deep peels, such as TCA), or adopt a “slash and burn” approach to treating skin, where what appears to be “clear” skin is actually short-lived and actually inflammation which will manifest itself in a myriad of ways later on.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON OUR BESPOKE ACNE FACIAL OR OUR SKIN CARE PRODUCTS, PLEASE CONTACT US AND WE WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP.
bespoke Acne Facial
FAQS
This is the number one question we are asked by our Acne Clients, and the short answer is “it depends”. Every Acne Client is at a different stage in their journey, have different Acne types and grade from one another, have different root causes and lifestyles, have differing levels of commitment, have different skin, different ages, on different home care, have had Acne for differing number of years… etc. The best analogy we have is going to the gym for the first time. How long will it take for a full-body transformation? The answer is the same as treating your Acne – it depends! There are so many factors that dictate the outcome and speed of your healing/transformation journey, and it goes without saying that the more committed you are to healing your skin, the quicker the journey.
99% of the time, our Bespoke Acne Facial is perfect for you as we will customise the treatment to suit your skin on the day. No two skins are the same, and facial treatments should reflect this. Only very occasionally we will refer a Client to a Dermatologist if we feel the Client’s skin condition is outside of our scope of practice.
This is a multi-faceted answer and is also not a simple answer. Most of the time, Clients are looking for that elusive one product that would miraculously clear their skin, and I so wish it does exist. In reality, to clear Acne, one must adopt a multi-pronged approach. One must also establish the root cause of the Acne – and this is the most difficult and frustrating part of the journey. Once the root cause has been established, then we can work out an effective treatment protocol. Please note, that Client compliance is key in clearing Acne.
In short, Acne cannot be cured but it can be managed. We all know that Acne is caused by the P/C Acnes bacteria and that hyper-keratinisation and excess sebum are also responsible. If we go backwards in the Acne chain of events, we will also come across the concept of inflammation and biofilms. If we keep going further and further back, we will eventually end up with genes and genetics and their role in Acne formation. Unfortunately, some people are simply more prone to Acne due to their genetics.
If you want to expedite your Acne healing, home care is a must. Going back to the gym analogy, think of your Acne Facial treatments as a gym session where I am your Personal Trainer. Your home care products are your food or nutrition. You need good food and good nutrition to nourish your body and enhance your workouts. The same goes for your home care. We only get to touch your skin once or twice a month, and therefore what you do day to day is much more effective than what we can do in the limited time we have together.
OK, so you are now onboard and understand that home care is key in treating your Acne, and you’re probably wondering what products you need and what to do with your existing products.
Which products are best for your skin will differ from Client to Client. Not all Acne are the same, in terms of grade and type. Some clients will have dry skin and some will have oily skin. Some will be somewhere in the middle. Some Clients will need products that will help with Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation, and some won’t. No two Clients are the same, and therefore what home care is prescribed will differ from one another.
Our home care is supported by a brand called Dermaviduals, the world’s only certified Corneotherapy line – a branch of skincare that is rooted in repairing and healing the skin and is therefore perfect for our Client’s. Dermaviduals is a small boutique brand that isn’t widely marketed and only available in selected skin care clinics, and therefore Clients won’t find much information about it online.
We understand that you may be hesitant in purchasing recommended home care if you’ve already invested in various skin care products. However, we believe this is a huge mistake and a major factor in why many of our Clients’ skins are not healing from Acne. Mass-market products are just that – formulated for mass-market consumers, with little iteration in the formulation process. Products are ‘commercialised’ – for example, the fragrance, texture, slip, etc. are all created to appeal to a wide pool of consumers. And products that “appear” to be working tend to have ingredients added to temporarily improve the appearance of the skin, but does little at a cellular level. Note: this is not a criticism of all mass-market products, but in our experience, you do have to have the working knowledge of a Cosmetic Chemist in order to know which products actually work.
‘Corrective’ products on the other hand are predominantly available only in skin care clinics and are usually professional grade. They are not formulated to appeal to consumers by the style of the bottle, the colour of the serum, the texture, the scent, etc. They are formulated purely to ‘work’ and ‘correct’ the skin concern. Further, Skin Therapists who work with skin all day can see how products actually work on skin, and not in a petri dish in a lab. We believe you will save time and money by purchasing home care that is prescribed specially for your skin, and by someone who understands skin, and different types of skin with Acne. You don’t have to throw away your existing products, simply put them to the side and once your Acne has healed you can still use them.
In short – NO! Time and time again, we see numerous Clients seeking our help who have damaged their skin barrier by excessive chemical peel treatments, such as Salicylic Acid peels. We provide Chemical Peels, and although they may improve your Acne temporarily, we do not recommend them as a long-term solution.
Yes, we can! We have numerous Clients who need support in healing their Acne, but are unable to come into the clinic for treatment. We have found coaching and home care can provide tremendous results. Contact us for more information.