Laser Treatments for Acne & Acne Scarring in London

'Advanced, DOCTOR-LED Acne Treatment Combining Topicals, Medication and Cutting-Edge Lasers'

Premium, safe and medically trusted care using Aerolase, BBL Sciton and advanced light therapies to treat acne and acne scarring across all skin types.

What lifestyle factors can worsen acne?

Sebum production is increased by hot showers, hot baths, saunas, steam rooms, excessive sweating. Dietary factors can also worsen acne and include eating non-organic dairy products, diets with high sugar content as well as stimulants including caffeine. Inappropriate use of skin products can also significantly worsen acne especially overuse of moisturisers. Attempts to squeeze or extract white heads or cysts can increase the depth of lesions, increase inflammation and amount of aggravated acne flare ups and ultimately post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Can hormonal changes affect acne?

Hormonal factors that can worsen acne include systemic hormonal abnormalities such as polycystic ovarian syndrome. Hormonal changes during puberty and changes before and during a woman’s period can also have a negative impact on acne. Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can also worsen acne although this can be quite variable.

What steps can prevent and control acne?

Important life style changes that can help to prevent acne or moderate acne flare ups include all factors that prevent increased levels of sebum in the skin. This includes never using oily moisturisers and never using heavy foundation.

Treatment Options for Acne

Aerolase Neo Elite for Acne

NeoClear by Aerolase Neo Elite laser offers patients of all skin types a new safe, effective, and uniquely gentle treatment for acne using advanced 650-microsecond Nd:YAG technology. NeoClear is a powerful acne treatment that eliminates the major factors causing acne, including excess sebum production, inflammation, and the p. acnes bacteria.

In many cases, patients require a dizzying array of complex multi-pronged treatments, consisting of oral and topical medications and skin care options to address these factors, but NeoClear can create impressive results with a single device.

The unique settings of the 650-microsecond device allow energy to penetrate deeply into the skin within a highly safe and tolerable pulse to reduce sebum production, suppress inflammation, and destroy the p. acnes bacteria, clearing up current acne breakouts while also stopping them in the future. Additionally, the deep heating energy helps build collagen, which can reduce the appearance of acne scars and leave skin looking radiant.

©Photos courtesy of Aerolase. Individual results may vary.

What is Nd:YAG Laser?

Nd:YAG laser has a wavelength of 1064 nm with a penetration of 4 mm. It is suitable for use on all skin types, especially darker skin types. It is a non-ablative laser and hence does not affect the top layer of the skin. In addition the side-effects associated with this laser are much less than ablative lasers such as CO2 fractional laser.

Aerolase Neo Elite uses this same wavelength but has the added benefit of a much shorter 650-microsecond pulse duration. This enables a fast and highly precise energy delivery within ultra short pulses ensuring there is minimal damage to the surrounding skin and tissues. This means higher energy settings can be used provising more effective results, safely and with less pain.

How does Aerolase Neo Elite Nd:YAG laser help acne?

The Nd:YAG laser is used as the gold standard for hair removal, especially on darker skin types. It works by destroying the pilosebaceous unit. The pilosebaceous unit consists of the hair follicle, associated sebaceous gland that is responsible for secreting sebum (oil) and apocrine glands. The sebaceous glands that secrete sebum result in oily and congested skin especially if they are overactive and this can result in the blockage of pores leading to white and blackheads and subsequently worsening acne. By destroying the pilosebaceous unit the levels of sebum production are significantly reduced and thereby acne also improves.

What side-effects are associated with Nd:YAG laser?

Side-effects associated with Nd:YAG laser treatment include redness over the skin (erythema), some minimal swelling (oedema), crusting of the skin, mild pain and very rarely burns.

What happens during a NeoClear session?

NeoClear treatments typically take between 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the severity of your acne and the size of the treatment area. NeoClear is safe, effective, and tolerable for all skin types and all subtypes of acne. The treatment can be performed without any skin cooling, anaesthetic, or skin contact. We recommend a series of at least 4 sessions with about 3 weeks between each session. Our acne specialist, Dr Naeem Mitha, can also recommend and prescribe a range of topical products to complement NeoClear and ensure the best results possible can be achieved.

Can Nd:YAG laser treatment be combined with other treatment for acne

Yes Nd:YAG laser treatment can be combined with other acne treatments. Well documented combination treatments include Nd:YAG laser along with blood plasma therapy – Angel Arthrex and Magellan. Other treatments that work well with Nd:YAG laser for acne are listed below.

BBL Sciton for Acne

BBL® HEROic™ by Sciton brings a new standard in acne treatment, offering a safe, effective and gentle solution for adult and teenage skin types. By combining multiple wavelengths, the system addresses three key drivers of acne: excess oil production, inflammation and acne-causing bacteria. At Rejuvence Clinic, our clinicians use the Forever Clear mode of BBL HEROic™, which precisely targets the root causes of breakouts. First, blue light eradicates P. acnes bacteria deep in the pores. Next, yellow light reduces inflammation and redness. Finally, infrared pulses help trigger collagen-repair and reduce scarring, leaving skin clearer, calmer and visibly smoother.

Where many patients require complex regimens of oral medications, creams, and multi-step therapies, BBL HEROic™ with Forever Clear simplifies the approach—delivering powerful biological effects in one device. The treatment is comfortable, fast and requires no downtime, making it a premium choice for those seeking lasting improvement to their skin.

Can Aerolase Neo and BBL Sciton Be Combined for Acne Treatment?

Yes. Aerolase Neo (650-microsecond Nd:YAG) and BBL Sciton (BroadBand Light) can be safely and effectively combined to treat acne when used in the correct order and with appropriate spacing between treatments. Each device targets acne through different mechanisms:

Aerolase Neo Elite

- Deep heating of sebaceous glands
- Reduction in sebum production
- Destruction of P. acnes bacteria
- Calming of inflammation
- Improvement of active breakouts

BBL Sciton (Forever Clear Mode)

- Blue light to kill acne bacteria
- Yellow light to calm redness and inflammation
- Infrared pulses to support healing and collagen repair

Combining the two can deliver an enhanced, multi-layered effect, tackling acne from both the surface and deeper within the skin, improving active inflammation while boosting long-term healing and scar-softening.

This combination is ideal for patients with moderate to severe acne, acne with redness, or acne that has not responded to single-modality treatment.

HydraFacial

The Hydrafacial is an extremely popular skin treatment that is now available at Rejuvence Clinic.

With a series of treatments, Hydrafacial can transform the quality of your skin. It consists of a four step process. Step one is Cleanse & Peel – a mechanical and chemical exfoliation that helps to nourish and renew skin as well as soften sebum and impurities. Step two is Extraction and Hydration. Step three is Fuse & Protect using specialised antioxidant products and optional Skin Boosters from Zein Obagi or Murad.

How can the HydraFacial help acne?

Hydrafacial can help improve low to moderate grade acne. The chemical and mechanical exfoliation process in step one of the hydrafacial can help reduce sebum production in the skin and reduce oily congestion. The addition of the red and blue light LED treatment at the end of each session significantly helps to reduce inflammation and combat bacteria, specifically P acne.

Book a Free Consultation with our Aesthetician and find out if a Hydrafacial could help you with your skin care needs.

ZO Skin Care

Every morning good skin preparation is essential. Cleansing using ‘oily skin’ skin cleanser followed by a scrub consisting of non-irritating essential exfoliating polish will help to clean the skin and also reduce sebum. Use of sebum-reducing pads – Oil Control Pads – are also recommended and form part of the ZO Acne Program.

Stabilisation and correction of skin health with an alpha-hydroxy acid exfoliator is recommended for barrier repair. Essential Daily Power Defense is a combination of retinol, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that help to calm any acne flare ups. If necessary oral isotretinoin (RoaccutaneTM) supplement (20mg/day) maybe required initially. It is important to note that if oral isotretinoin is taken, significant procedures should not be attempted for at least 4 to 6 months after isotretinoin has been stopped. At Rejuvence we can combine the ZO Acne Skin Care Program with bespoke Laser Treatments to help improve your acne.

Book a Free Consultation with our Aesthetician for further information and a skin assessment.

Dermalux LED

Dermalux LED Phototherapy has been shown to provide some respite and supplement topical and oral treatments during acne flare ups. Multiple sessions of phototherapy every 4 weeks can supplement the ZO Acne System and provides some relief thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties as well stimulate repair and regeneration of the skin. Dermalux is a combination of blue, red and yellow light. Blue light helps with reduction in bacteria. Red light results in a reduction of inflammation. Treatment for acne with dermalux consists of a combination of blue and red light.

Reverse Neo for Acne Scarring

Severe cystic acne and multiple lesions can leave pits with significant scarring and hyperpigmentation. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is particularly a problem in darker skin types, especially skin types IV to VI. Acne scars can be classified as ice pick scars, rolling scars and boxcar scars.

Aerolase Era Elite is a fully ablative Erb:YAG laser suitable in all skin types thanks to its 300-microsecond pulse duration and precise depth control with no demarcation lines enabling bespoke skin resurfacing. It is similar to a Fraxel CO2 laser but is safer in darker skin types.

Aerolase Era Elite can be combined with Neo Elite to offer a fully ablative resurfacing treatment to help improve contours and poor skin texture and skin tone immediately following deep dermal collagen stimulation with Neo. The unique ‘Reverse Neo’ protocol combines Neo and Era in a single session to offer excellent results. The ‘Reverse Neo’ protocol has can finished off with Target Cool delivered topical rejuvenating E50 Exosomes. This speeds up recovery and can help with redness and pigmentation.

Other treatment options include microneedling combined with Radio-Frequency Energy in the form of Sylfirm X in combination with Target Cool delivered topical rejuvenating E50 Exosomes.

More old school approaches to acne scar improvement includes chemical peels such as the ZO 3 Step Peel or Controlled Depth Blue Peel. Pigmentation can initially be addressed by incorporating hydroquinone into any bespoke skin care program in an attempt to bleach, and in combination with Vitamin A, blend the skin producing a more even skin tone and reduction in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation scars.

Can microneedling with Sylfirm X help Acne Scarring

Sylfirm X radiofrequency microneedling is one of the most advanced and versatile treatments for acne scarring, and we are proud to offer it at Rejuvence Clinic. By delivering controlled RF energy through ultra-fine needles, Sylfirm X stimulates deep collagen remodelling and tissue regeneration, making it highly effective for rolling scars, boxcar scars, enlarged pores and stubborn textural irregularities. Its unique dual-wave technology allows precise treatment of both deep and superficial scars while simultaneously improving skin firmness and overall quality.

Although devices such as Morpheus8 and Potenza are widely used, we have specifically chosen Sylfirm X for its superior precision, reduced risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation, greater comfort, and its ability to safely treat a wider range of skin types—making it a more advanced and predictable option for acne scarring.

For even greater results, Sylfirm X can be combined with ablative resurfacing using the Aerolase Era or integrated into the Aerolase Reverse Protocol, allowing us to refine the skin’s surface while rebuilding structure from within. This layered approach provides significant, long-lasting improvement for a wide range of acne scar types, all delivered safely and expertly at Rejuvence Clinic.

Can BBL Be Combined With the Aerolase Reverse Protocol?

Yes, BBL can be incorporated alongside the Aerolase Reverse Protocol, but only when the skin is assessed carefully and the treatments are sequenced appropriately.

What the Reverse Protocol Does

The Aerolase Reverse Protocol combines:

Neo Elite (650μs Nd:YAG) for deep collagen stimulation, pigmentation reduction, and vascular improvement.
Era Elite (300μs Er:YAG) for gentle resurfacing and texture refinement

This protocol works deeper and more broadly than standard acne-only treatments.

Adding BBL to the Reverse Protocol

BBL can complement the Reverse Protocol by:

Enhancing redness reduction
Improving surface pigmentation
Boosting overall skin clarity
Adding antibacterial effects for acne-prone patients
Speeding up recovery and improving glow

BBL is typically performed in a separate session, either before or after the Reverse Protocol, depending on the patient’s skin type, acne severity, and sensitivity.