Acne affects an estimated 95% of people at some point in their lives, and for many, it extends well beyond the teenage years — persisting into the twenties, thirties, and beyond. Despite being so common, effective treatment remains elusive for many people who have tried product after product without lasting success.
At Skin Health Practice, we take a clinical approach to acne — addressing the root causes rather than suppressing symptoms — to achieve clearer skin that lasts.
What Actually Causes Acne?
Acne develops through a combination of factors acting simultaneously:
**Excess sebum production:** Sebaceous glands produce too much oil, which mixes with dead skin cells and blocks pores.
**Comedone formation:** Blocked pores create blackheads (open comedones) or whiteheads (closed comedones), providing the environment in which acne bacteria thrive.
**Bacterial overgrowth:** Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) bacteria proliferate within blocked follicles, triggering an immune response.
**Inflammation:** The immune response causes the redness, swelling, and pain associated with inflammatory acne — papules, pustules, and cysts.
**Hormonal influence:** Androgens stimulate sebum production, which is why acne often flares around puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
**Skin barrier dysfunction:** A compromised skin barrier allows greater bacterial penetration and reduces the skin's ability to regulate itself.
Effective treatment must address whichever of these factors is driving your acne — which is why a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works.
Our Clinical Acne Treatment Options
### Laser Acne Treatment Our laser treatments target two primary drivers of acne: the bacteria within the follicle, and the sebaceous glands that are overproducing oil.
Specific wavelengths of laser energy penetrate the follicle and destroy C. acnes bacteria through a photodynamic effect. Simultaneously, thermal energy delivered to the sebaceous glands reduces their size and activity — addressing the root cause of excess oil production.
This approach provides a significant and lasting reduction in active breakouts for many clients.
### Medical-Grade Chemical Peels Salicylic acid peels are oil-soluble and penetrate the pore lining, dissolving the sebum and dead skin cell plugs that cause blockages. They also have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. A course of salicylic acid peels can clear active acne, reduce pore size, and improve overall skin texture.
We also use other medical-grade peels — including glycolic acid and mandelic acid — depending on skin type and presentation.
### LED Light Therapy Red and blue LED light therapy provides a gentle, effective adjunct to acne treatment. Blue light (415nm) has a direct antibacterial effect on C. acnes bacteria. Red light (633nm) reduces inflammation, supports healing, and accelerates skin repair. LED can be used throughout a course of acne treatment to accelerate results.
### Skincare Protocol Optimisation Many clients with acne are inadvertently making their condition worse with inappropriate products — stripping cleansers that disrupt the skin barrier, heavy moisturisers that block pores, or overuse of actives that cause irritation. We provide a clinically designed skincare protocol tailored to your skin type as part of every treatment plan.
Treating Acne Scars
For clients with established acne scarring — atrophic (pitted) scars, boxcar scars, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation — we offer targeted scar treatment as part of the same programme. Options include fractional laser resurfacing, microneedling with PDRN or exosomes, and chemical peels specifically chosen to remodel scar tissue.
Your Acne Treatment Plan
At your initial consultation, we will assess your skin closely — the type and severity of acne, your skin type, previous treatments, and any relevant health history. From this, we build a personalised treatment plan with realistic expectations and a clear timeline.
Most clients see meaningful improvement within 6–8 weeks of beginning treatment, with continued improvement over a full course.
We currently offer **up to 30% off** acne treatment packages. Book your free consultation at Skin Health Practice — call **020 3886 1313** or visit 65-73 Staines Road, Hounslow, TW3 3HW.