Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Hitting the spot

by Ethos public relations

Around 80% of people in the UK will suffer from acne at some point in their lives with the majority developing it in their teens. 13 year old Katie Brown* from Chorley put up with the problem for over two years before discovering the solution lay at a local clinic. She hasn't looked back since.

Katie first began to break out in spots when she was 11 and about to begin her first year at High School. It couldn't have come at a worse time.

I was about to go to secondary school where I'd be meeting new people and making new friends, so I can definitely say that it wasn't good timing said Katie. To make matters worse, I'd just had braces fitted and so I was already a little self-conscious about my appearance.

The skin condition began with a few spots but quickly spread, with breakouts that covered Katie's face and parts of her body too. Katie's mother, Gillian, tried a range of treatments and spent a fortune on products in an effort to get rid of the spots. I tried hundreds of products from Clearasil to Quinoderm and even an infra-red light which I had to hold over spots, explained Gillian. Some of the treatments worked temporarily, but then another breakout would occur and the spots would be as bad as ever.

Despite suffering from acne, Katie was determined not to let it bother her. She just isn't the sort of girl that would something like that affect the way she lives, said her mother, Gillian. She never complained or got upset, at least not in front of me, and she went to school and socialised with her friends as normal.

I really think she's amazing, there can't be too many people that would put on such a brave face and get on with things.

Earlier this year Gillian heard about a local clinic in Bolton, Laserase North West, that offers treatments for acne sufferers. Laserase uses an NLite laser, described as one of the most significant advances in acne treatment for decades.

It is a safe, fast and effective procedure without any side effects and works by killing the bacteria that causes the infection. NLite also has a collagen replenishment application, which helps repair the damage caused by the infection and reduce scarring.

We thought it was worth a go, said Gillian. We'd tried everything else and so the laser treatment really was a last resort.

After the first session, Katie's acne appeared to get worse but once she had had the subsequent peel and second treatment there was a noticeable improvement.

The spots that once covered the whole of Katie's face have now been reduced to her chin. Breakouts of spots also occur rarely whereas they used to flare up daily in the past.

Katie and her mum are both delighted with the results. We're really happy that the treatment has been so effective, said Gillian. It's great that there has been no reaction to the treatment and that it was completely pain-free too.

Katie has had only two NLite laser sessions and two skin peels to date but the difference is remarkable. Katie and her mother will now continue to monitor her skin to check that the acne is gone for good.

Laserase has been brilliant, added Gillian. From start to finish they've been so supportive and have made Katie feel at ease. It is early days but we're really hopeful that we've finally said goodbye to acne.

* Name changed

Posted at 14^th August 2009