WHILE it’s easy to dismiss acne as “just” a young people’s problem it’s now a fact that adult cases are also rising dramatically.

In fact, a study of 92 private dermatology clinics last year found a 200 per cent rise in the number of adults seeking specialist treatment, with women now five times more likely then men to be affected by later-life acne.

Fluctuating hormones during pregnancy, the menstrual cycle and changing methods of contraception could all be to blame. And even celebrities are not immune to acne: Katy Perry, Cameron Diaz and Victoria Beckham have all suffered.

Now, however, laser treatment is making a real difference to this major problem, and a Bolton clinic offering it is attracting people from around the North-west.

Laserase, based on the Royal Bolton Hospital site, uses the Regenlite laser to dramatically improve acne and scarring in what is now acknowledged as a major breakthrough in treatment.

Acne is still most common in teens aged 14 to 19, although sufferers can be younger or older. Spots are caused by blocked hair follicles in the skin. Tiny sebaceous glands attached to these follicles produce sebum to help lubricate the hair and the skin to stop it drying out. Acne occurs when the glands produce too much sebum, which mixes with dead skin cells and causes a blockage in the follicle.

The laser treatment works by delivering low-frequency light pulses which stimulate the body’s natural responses. As Laserase medical director, Dr Kiran Patel stated: “The use of this laser has speeded up the time it takes for patients to see results. Improvements can usually be seen after only three or four treatments.”

He added: "While acne can never be completely cured, the Regenlite laser can keep the acne under control so that patients don’t have to worry about their skin.

"The treatment is swift and effective with virtually no visible after-effects allowing patients to resume their everyday activity very quickly.”

It’s not just physical scarring that can result from acne, either.

Bolton-based psychotherapist Anne-Marie Alger explained: “Acne and acne scarring can have a huge psychological impact at any age. Due to its visibility on the face, people may feel more vulnerable and exposed than in other skin conditions, when they are not able to dress in a way to cover or disguise it.

“As a result, acne can have a massive impact on a person’s body image, self-esteem and self-confidence particularly for teenagers already coming to terms with a changing body shape and a surge in hormones, growth and their emotional fall-out. This can also have a dramatic effect on adults who don’t expect a sudden or sustained outbreak of acne.

“This is not a minor insecurity issue when sufferers of chronic acne talk of their lives being ‘ruined,’ ‘traumatised’ or ‘destroyed.’ Such emotional responses indicate that acne is not just a skin problem, with longer term consequences that shape behaviour and life choices into adulthood.”

Certainly, acne can scar lives.

Manchester teenager Dale Lee struggled with terrible acne on his back and face from the age of 12, making him so self-conscious he would never take off his shirt to go swimming and hated sleepovers in case his friends noticed his back.

“I tried many over the counter treatments but none of them seemed to make any difference,” he explained. “I recently signed up for the Navy and was determined to try and improve the condition before joining.”

He has had seven laser treatments and said: “I no longer have large angry red spots and can now go out in public without feeling self-conscious.”

Beautician Lucy Orchard, from Preston, only started suffering from acne recently at the age of 24.

She said: “I thought only teenagers suffered from acne and I felt very depressed and frustrated when I developed the condition at 24, particularly as my job as a beautician means I always want to look my best.

“I also had to endure some unkind comments about not looking after my face properly. I knew this wasn’t true but it was still hurtful.”

Lucy’s acne seemed to get worse after coming off the contraceptive pill. She also tried over the counter treatments but found these made her skin rough and feel like it was burning. Then she tried antibiotics, which had a minimal effect.

Her brother had some treatment at the Bolton centre, so Lucy opted to visit. She saw a difference after the first treatment and after four treatments has seen a substantial improvement.

My skin is much better,” she said. “I no longer have the sore and large aggressive spots that I had. I still have some spots but they are much smaller, more faded, flat spots which are easily covered by make-up. I feel much better in myself and more confident.”

* For more information go to www.laserase-bolton.co.uk tel 01204 570900.