Why does my acne keep coming back even with strong face washes?

Aggressive cleansers strip the skin barrier and often trigger rebound oil production, making acne worse. A gentler routine and targeted ingredients usually work better than over-cleansing.

Can in-clinic treatments cure my acne?

Acne is a chronic condition and we do not describe any treatment as curing it. In-clinic treatments help reduce active acne and post-acne marks; ongoing maintenance is usually needed. Some patients move into long remission with consistent care.

Do I need to see a GP or dermatologist?

If you have moderate-to-severe inflammatory or cystic acne, acne that is scarring you, or acne that has not responded to sensible over-the-counter and skincare approaches, the right next step is usually GP or dermatology referral. Prescription medical management is often more effective than aesthetic treatment alone in these cases.

Will laser or RF treatment work on darker skin types?

Yes, with appropriate device selection and conservative settings. Skin of colour requires particular care to avoid post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation; Dr Garara tailors the approach accordingly.

Should I avoid moisturiser if my skin is oily?

No — a lightweight non-comedogenic moisturiser usually helps. Stripped, dehydrated oily skin often overproduces oil to compensate.

Can in-clinic treatment be done alongside prescription acne medication?

Often yes, with appropriate planning. Some treatments need to be timed carefully around medications such as isotretinoin. Dr Garara coordinates with your GP / dermatologist where relevant.

Will treatment help my post-acne marks and scarring?

Yes — post-acne red marks (PIE) respond well to vascular laser, brown post-inflammatory marks respond to topical regimens and pigment-clearing devices, and textural scarring is addressed via the dedicated scars (skin) and facial scarring pathways.

Acne Treatment in London

What it is

What Is Acne?

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Acne develops within the pilosebaceous unit — the hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland. Four mechanisms interact: excess sebum production, abnormal keratinisation that blocks the pore, inflammation, and the activity of skin bacteria including Cutibacterium acnes. Different presentations of acne reflect different balances of these mechanisms.

Dr Bhavin Garara’s approach is to assess which mechanisms are dominant for you, address them with the appropriate combination of in-clinic and home-care interventions, and ensure that anyone whose acne would benefit from prescription medical management is appropriately referred.

Where it shows

Types of Acne

Comedonal acne
Non-inflammatory blackheads and whiteheads.
Inflammatory acne
Red papules and pustules.
Nodulocystic acne
Deep, painful nodules and cysts at higher risk of scarring; usually warrants medical management.
Adult / hormonal acne
Often around the jaw and chin, associated with hormonal cycles in some patients.

What causes it

What Causes Acne?

1
Genetics and skin type
Family history is a major determinant. Oily skin types are more prone.
2
Hormones
Androgens drive sebum production. Acne is common during puberty, premenstrually, in pregnancy, and in conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
3
Inflammation
The immune response to C. acnes and to the contents of blocked pores drives the visible redness and swelling.
4
Diet and lifestyle
The evidence is moderate but consistent for high-glycaemic-load diets and dairy in some patients. Stress, poor sleep, and certain medications can contribute.
5
Over-stripping skincare
Aggressive cleansers and astringents damage the skin barrier and often worsen acne by triggering rebound oil production.

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Dr Garara's approach

How Dr Bhavin Garara Treats Acne

At the clinics in London, Dr Garara assesses the type and pattern of acne, the contribution of sebum, inflammation, and bacterial drivers, the presence of any underlying medical or hormonal contributors, and the current skincare regimen. The plan usually combines tailored home care, in-clinic options for sebum regulation and inflammation control, and explicit routing to GP / dermatology where prescription medical management would help.

Anatomy-led assessmentTreatment plans built around your unique facial structure and movement.
Personalised planCombinations chosen for your skin, goals, and lifestyle — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Natural resultsA refreshed, well-rested version of you — never a frozen or over-treated look.

Prevention

Home Care for Acne

Consistent daily care underpins any acne plan; aggressive routines often make matters worse.

Prevention

Home Care for Acne

Consistent daily care underpins any acne plan; aggressive routines often make matters worse.

Features

Treatment Options for Acne

Radiofrequency microneedling, vascular laser, regenerative skin treatments, non-ablative laser resurfacing, acne-scar referral, and medical management.

Radiofrequency microneedling (Sylfirm X)

Controlled radiofrequency energy through fine needles into the dermis — designed to reduce sebaceous activity and modulate inflammation over a course.

See Sylfirm X →

Vascular laser (Derma V)

For active inflamed pustules and persistent post-acne red marks — targets visible blood vessels and reduces inflammatory redness.

Regenerative skin treatments

Multi-ingredient skinboosters (Profhilo, klardie, NCTF) and autologous PRP / platelet-derived exosomes support barrier repair and calming during active breakouts and recovery.

Non-ablative laser resurfacing (MultiFrax)

For post-acne textural changes and diffuse pigmentation — refines surface tone over a course.

See Multifrax laser →

Acne scar treatment (see scarring pages)

Acne scarring — atrophic (rolling, ice-pick, boxcar) or pigmentary — is addressed on the scars (skin) and facial scarring pages.

See Acne scars treatment →

Medical management — when to refer

Moderate-to-severe inflammatory, nodulocystic, or scarring acne usually benefits from prescription medical treatment by a GP or dermatologist. Aesthetic treatment complements but does not substitute medical management in severe disease.

Treatment is layered — radiofrequency microneedling for sebum and inflammation, vascular laser for active redness and post-acne marks, regenerative skin treatments for barrier repair, surface resurfacing for post-acne texture, daily home care, and referral to GP / dermatology where prescription management is indicated.