Acne Treatment
Care for adult acne and breakouts, combining medical assessment, in-clinic treatments, including the new AviClear acne laser, and skincare that respects your skin.
RQIA Registered | Doctor- and Nurse-Led | Complimentary Consultation
WHO IT AFFECTS
Adults of all ages
COMMON CAUSES
Hormones, oil, bacteria
TREATMENT OPTIONS
6 in-clinic options
FIRST STEP
Complimentary consultation
What is acne?
Acne is a common, long-term skin condition in which hair follicles become blocked with oil and dead skin cells. It shows up as blackheads, whiteheads, red spots and, in some people, deeper, tender nodules or cysts. It most often appears on the face, but the chest, back and shoulders are frequently affected too.
Although acne is often linked with the teenage years, many adults experience it for the first time in their twenties, thirties or later, and hormonal breakouts along the jaw and chin are particularly common in women. Flare-ups can come and go with the menstrual cycle, stress, pregnancy or changes in skincare.
Acne becomes a concern when spots are deep or painful, when they leave marks or scars, or when they affect how you feel day to day. If you are left with marks or pitted scars, see our guide to acne scarring.
What causes acne?
Acne develops when several factors come together inside the pore. Understanding which ones are driving your breakouts helps us choose treatments that are more likely to help.
Excess oil production
Sebaceous glands can produce more oil than the skin needs. Mixed with dead skin cells, it blocks the pore and forms blackheads and whiteheads.
Bacteria and inflammation
Bacteria that live naturally on the skin can multiply inside blocked pores, triggering redness, swelling and inflamed spots.
Hormonal changes
Shifts in hormones around periods, pregnancy, polycystic ovary syndrome or times of stress can increase oil production, often causing breakouts on the jaw and chin.
Products and habits
Heavy or pore-clogging skincare and make-up, some medicines, and picking or squeezing spots can all make acne worse and raise the risk of marks.
Treatments for acne at A Aesthetics
These are the options our team most often recommends for active breakouts.
AviClear acne laser NEW
A Cutera laser built specifically for acne. A course of three sessions targets the oil glands that drive breakouts and is suitable for mild, moderate and severe acne in all skin types.
Professional skincare treatments
Medical-grade facials and peels can help clear congestion, calm inflammation and refine oily skin. They suit most people with mild to moderate breakouts and are often the first step in a plan.
MediLux LED therapy
Blue and red light can help calm active spots and support the skin’s natural healing without heat or downtime. It suits sensitive skin and pairs well with other acne treatments.
Excel V+
This Cutera laser targets the redness and red marks that inflamed spots can leave behind. It suits people whose breakouts are settling but whose skin still looks red and uneven.
Secret PRO
Fractional CO2 resurfacing may help improve texture and marks once active acne is under control. It is usually considered later in a plan and is not suitable during a flare-up.
Skincare products
The right daily routine can make a real difference to how clear your skin stays between treatments. We recommend medical-grade products matched to your skin after assessment.
Everyday tips for managing acne
Cleanse gently
Wash twice a day with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water. Scrubbing or over-washing can strip the skin and make inflammation worse.
Choose non-comedogenic products
Look for skincare, sunscreen and make-up labelled non-comedogenic or oil-free, and remove make-up fully before bed.
Avoid picking or squeezing
Squeezing spots pushes debris deeper and increases the risk of dark marks and scarring. Leave spots to settle or ask us about treatment.
Protect with daily SPF
A light, oil-free SPF helps stop red and brown marks from darkening, and protects skin that some acne treatments make more sensitive to the sun.
Acne FAQs
What causes adult acne?
Adult acne is usually driven by a mix of oil production, blocked pores, bacteria and inflammation, with hormones playing a large part, particularly for women. Stress, some medicines and pore-clogging products can also contribute. We look at all of these at your consultation.
Can acne be prevented?
It is not always possible to prevent acne, but a gentle routine, non-comedogenic products, daily SPF and avoiding picking can reduce flare-ups and lower the risk of marks. Starting treatment early is one of the most useful ways to reduce the chance of scarring.
Which treatment is best for my acne?
It depends on the type and severity of your acne, your skin tone and any treatment you already use. For persistent inflammatory acne, our new AviClear laser is designed to target the oil glands behind breakouts over a course of three sessions. Many people with milder breakouts start with professional skincare treatments and MediLux LED. A skin analysis helps us tailor your plan.
What is AviClear and is it right for me?
AviClear is a Cutera laser built specifically to treat acne. Its 1726 nm wavelength targets the sebaceous glands that produce oil, and it is designed for mild, moderate and severe acne in all skin types. A course is three sessions of around 30 minutes, with little to no downtime.
How many sessions will I need?
Most people benefit from a course rather than a single session. An AviClear course is three sessions spaced a few weeks apart; facials and peels are often spaced a few weeks apart, and LED is usually more frequent. We will give you a realistic plan and review your progress as you go.
When will I see results?
Many patients notice calmer, less congested skin within a few weeks, but acne improves gradually and can still flare from time to time. With AviClear, results continue to build for months after your course. Results vary from person to person and depend on keeping up your home routine.
Is treatment suitable for my skin type?
Our treatments can be adapted for most skin types and tones. Darker skin tones can be more prone to post-inflammatory marks, so we choose settings and products carefully. Some treatments are not suitable during pregnancy or while taking certain acne medicines, which we check at your consultation.
How do I book?
Start with a complimentary consultation at our Coleraine or Derry/Londonderry clinic, or call us on 028 7051 2101.
Related concerns
YOUR FIRST STEP
Begin with a complimentary consultation
Sit down with one of our medical team, talk through what you would like to change, and leave with an honest, personalised plan. No cost, no pressure, and no obligation to book.
Treatments are for adults aged 18 and over and are only offered after a face-to-face consultation.
DERRY/LONDONDERRY
50 Victoria Gate
Derry, BT47 2TP
07702 529535
COLERAINE
6–8 Dunmore Street
Coleraine, BT52 1EL
028 7051 2101
RQIA Registered | contact@aaesthetics.net
Request a callback
Share a few details and our team will call you back to arrange your consultation.