Skin Concerns -

Acne

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions and can appear at any age. It develops when pores become blocked with excess oil, dead skin cells, or bacteria, which leads to breakouts, inflammation, and in some cases, long-term scarring. Beyond the physical symptoms, acne can have a significant impact on self-confidence and overall wellbeing.

Even once active acne has cleared, it can leave behind acne scarring, which affects both the texture and appearance of the skin. Scarring occurs when the skin’s healing process is disrupted after deep or inflamed breakouts, leaving behind indentations, raised areas, or uneven texture. Many clients also experience post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation — red or brown marks that remain on the skin even after spots have healed. Treatments for acne scarring focus on resurfacing and repairing the skin, stimulating new collagen, and improving overall tone and texture.

What is Active Acne?

Active acne refers to acne that is currently inflamed and visible on the skin. This can range from mild congestion to more severe, painful breakouts, and if not managed properly, it can lead to long-term scarring. In other words, it is acne in its breakout stage, rather than the scars or pigmentation left behind once spots have healed.

There are several types of active acne:

Blackheads (open comedones): Small dark plugs that form when oil and dead skin block the pores and remain open on the surface.
Whiteheads (closed comedones): Small, firm white or flesh-coloured bumps that form when pores are blocked but remain closed.
Papules: Red, inflamed spots that may feel sore but do not contain pus.
Pustules: Inflamed spots filled with pus, often with a yellow or white centre.
Nodules: Large, painful lumps that form deep within the skin.
Cysts: Severe, pus-filled breakouts that are often very painful and most likely to cause scarring if untreated.

Treatments for active acne focus on calming inflammation, reducing bacteria, unblocking pores, and preventing new breakouts, while also supporting the skin’s natural healing process to minimise the risk of long-term damage.

Whilst diet and lifestyle often have the biggest impact on curing acne, we offer a range of evidence-based in-clinic treatments that can help support and speed up the process along the way.

What is Acne Scarring?

Acne scarring refers to the marks and changes in skin texture left behind once active acne has healed. These scars form when deep or inflamed breakouts damage the skin and disrupt the healing process, leading to indentations, raised areas, or uneven pigmentation. Unlike active acne, scarring remains on the skin long after breakouts have cleared and often requires targeted treatments to improve.

There are several types of acne scarring:

Ice Pick Scars: Deep, narrow scars that extend into the dermis, giving the skin a pitted appearance.
Boxcar Scars: Broad depressions with defined edges, often seen on the cheeks and temples.
Rolling Scars: Wide, shallow indentations with soft edges that give the skin a wavy or uneven texture.
Hypertrophic/Keloid Scars: Raised, firm scars caused by excess collagen production during healing.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): Flat red, brown, or dark marks left after spots heal — not true scarring but often treated in the same way.

Treatments for acne scarring focus on resurfacing and repairing the skin, stimulating new collagen, and improving overall tone and texture to soften scars and restore smoother skin.

Whilst no single treatment can erase scarring completely, we offer a range of evidence-based in-clinic options that can significantly improve its appearance and support long-term skin health.

Treatment Options For Active Acne and Acne Scarring:

Which treatments may be right for you?

Your treatment plan will depend on whether you have active breakouts, acne scarring or a combination of both. Use the guide below to understand which options may be most suitable for your concerns.

Active Acne

The initial priority is to calm inflammation, clear congestion and reduce the risk of further scarring.

Chemical Peels – Best for: active breakouts, blackheads, whiteheads, blocked pores, congestion and excess oil.

PRX-T33 No-Peel Peel – Best for: improving overall skin quality, uneven tone and pigmentation left behind by previous breakouts, without visible peeling.

SkinPen Medical Microneedling – May be considered for carefully selected acne-prone skin following a full assessment. Treatment suitability will depend on the type and severity of the active acne present.

Active Acne and Scarring

Treatment will usually begin by controlling active breakouts before progressing to more targeted scar treatments.

Chemical Peels – Best for: reducing active breakouts and congestion while improving superficial marks and uneven tone.

PRX-T33 No-Peel Peel – Best for: post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), uneven skin tone and early textural changes.

SkinPen Medical Microneedling – Best for: indented scars, enlarged pores and uneven texture once active inflammation is sufficiently controlled.

SkinPen with PRX-T33 – Best for: clients with a combination of rolling or shallow boxcar scars, uneven texture and post-inflammatory pigmentation.

Collagen-Stimulating Skin Boosters – Best for: improving hydration, collagen support and overall skin quality alongside more targeted acne-scar treatments.

Dermal Filler for Acne Scarring – Best for: selected individual rolling or broad depressed scars once active breakouts are controlled.

Acne Scarring

Treatment can focus directly on stimulating collagen, resurfacing uneven texture and reducing residual pigmentation.

Chemical Peels – Best for: superficial scarring, uneven texture and flat red or brown post-acne marks.

PRX-T33 No-Peel Peel – Best for: mild depressed scars, uneven tone and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

SkinPen Medical Microneedling – Best for: rolling scars, shallow boxcar scars, enlarged pores and uneven skin texture.

SkinPen with PRX-T33 – Best for: acne scarring accompanied by uneven texture, reduced skin quality and pigmentation.

Collagen-Stimulating Skin Boosters – Best for: mild atrophic scarring and skin requiring additional hydration and regenerative support.

Dermal Filler for Acne Scarring – Best for: individual rolling scars and selected broad, depressed atrophic scars requiring precise correction.

A consultation allows us to assess your acne activity, scar type, skin condition and treatment history before recommending the safest and most appropriate treatment plan.