A pimple here and there or a hormonal breakout is one thing, but true acne is another thing altogether. While the causes of acne are varied, for the most part it comes down to hormones or an imbalance in the gut. Cause aside, many people just wanted to situation sorted.
Traditionally topical creams or antibiotics such as minocycline might be prescribed, or drugs in the accutane family, in extreme cases. In terms of treatments, peels, light therapy or SGA are all used to treat acne, with varying degrees of success.
Now, a new treatment aimed at reducing the visual effects of acne is available, and the clinical data has been accepted and approved for publication in the International Journal of Dermatology.
Kleresca Acne Treatment claims to be breakthrough treatment that offers an alternative to traditional therapies, and has been shown in clinical trials to provide nine out of 10 patients with an improvement in their acne severity, and one in three patients the chance to reach clear, or almost clear skin.
When you consider that 85 percent of Australians aged 15-24 are affected by acne, which can persist into adulthood, you can imagine demand for efficacious solutions is high.
"Kleresca Acne Treatment treats inflammatory acne -- that is acne with papules, pustules and nodules (red and inflamed lesions). It is not appropriate for comedonal acne (blackheads and whiteheads)," Dr Shobhan Manoharan, Specialist Dermatologist and Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists told The Huffington Post Australia. Dr Manoharan has been trialing the treatment in his clinics.
So while it doesn't work on whiteheads, it does target those large, sore lumps that often have a red or purple appearance. As for the treatment itself, it's light-based, reportedly painless, and very quick.
"A photo-converter gel is initially applied to the face. Following this a high intensity LED is administered over the whole face for a period of nine minutes. This reduces inflammation, kills the bacteria involved in acne (Propionibacterium acnes), promotes collagen remodeling and gradually improves acne," Dr Manoharan said.
"There is no pain involved. Our patients describe it as if they were lying on the beach in the sun – a warm and very comfortable feeling."
Following treatment patients are advised to wear sunscreen and use mineral makeup, which does not clog pores.
"Following treatment, patients are advised to apply a non-occlusive SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen and be careful in the sun. Patients are maintained on a routine of a soap-free wash, light moisturizer, non-occlusive sunscreen and mineral makeup in-between treatment sessions," Dr Manoharan said.
It is recommended that patients undergo a course of the treatment, having two a week for six weeks.
"Patients often see results within the first month, and generally have ongoing improvement during the six week treatment course. Kleresca is a treatment for active, inflammatory acne, and for at least six weeks after the treatment, patients can expect to see additional improvements to their complexion. it is exciting that studies have shown patients being able to maintain the improvements made during treatment for over six months," Dr Manoharan said.
The cost varies depending on the clinic, however generally patients can expect to pay around $2000 for a full course of treatments.