Acne Treatment

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions, affecting teenagers and adults alike. Although many patients respond well to prescription creams and oral medication, others seek an alternative or complementary approach. Professor Firas Al-Niaimi offers advanced laser acne treatment as part of a personalised treatment plan, helping to reduce active acne, inflammation and the risk of long-term scarring.

Laser treatment can be used on its own in selected patients or alongside topical creams and oral medications, depending on the severity of the acne. Treating acne early is important, as persistent inflammation can eventually lead to acne scarring.

Acne develops within a specialised structure of the skin known as the pilosebaceous unit, which consists of the sebaceous (oil) gland, hair follicle and duct. Four key processes contribute to the development of acne:

• Increased activity of the sebaceous glands, leading to oily skin.
• Overgrowth of the naturally occurring bacteria Cutibacterium acnes.
• Inflammation caused by excess sebum and bacterial activity.
• Blockage of the hair follicle due to excess keratin, resulting in clogged pores.

Although one of these mechanisms may dominate in some patients, most people experience a combination of all four. Understanding these causes is important because effective acne treatment should address as many of these factors as possible to achieve clearer skin and reduce future breakouts.

Laser technology works by targeting acne through two main mechanisms. Firstly, laser energy generates controlled heat that reduces the activity of the sebaceous glands and helps decrease inflammation within the skin. Secondly, certain wavelengths of light activate naturally occurring porphyrins produced by Cutibacterium acnes. This reaction destroys acne-causing bacteria while helping to calm inflamed skin.

Several laser and light-based technologies can be used depending on the type and severity of acne. These include the Pulsed Dye Laser, as well as Nd:YAG lasers and specialised IPL systems with acne-specific filters. Treatment is very safe and usually consists of a series of sessions to achieve the best possible results.

Patients who already have visible marks or textural changes following acne may also benefit from Microneedling or Fractional Laser to improve the appearance of acne scars. In more complex cases, combination treatments may also include Subcision or Fillers for Acne Scars to achieve optimal results.

Professor Firas Al-Niaimi has published several scientific articles on the use of lasers for acne treatment, reflecting his extensive clinical experience in this field. These publications can be found in the Publications section of this website.