Isolaz Review

Hello Slap Addicts


In my previous post I introduced you to acne and explained a little about my problems.

I have closed comedones predominantly on my cheeks. Whilst these are not painful and doing no harm to my skin they are damaging my self esteem.

Ive always had clear skin, I didn't even suffer as a teenager. I'm not saying that I never had a spot. Of course I did but it really was just the odd one.

Suddenly in my 20's I woke up with hundreds of little lumps on my skin.

At first I thought it may have been diet related. I cut out all dairy and gluten, even meat for a while. After several months passed and there was no improvement in my skin I decided to try topical acne treatments.

I tried acne face washes, face scrubs and creams. I tried squeezing them ... EPIC FAIL. Ugh it just made it worse and left me with bigger inflamed lumps and dark patches of skin.

After months of trying different lotions and potions and having regular facials at my local salon I became very depressed. I stopped wanting to socialise. I had stopped wearing makeup for fear of making things worse.

After many nights of research and self analysing my skin I decided that it was worth going to a skin specialist. I chose to go the the well know skin clinic Sk:n.

I booked a consultation with a nurse. It cost £25 and would be taken off any treatment I had in the future.

The clinic was in Victoria London. It was very clean and the staff were friendly and professional.

In the consultation the nurse asked me questions about my concerns and then had me lay down so she could evaluate my skin. Firstly she cleansed my skin to remove all make up.
After taking a good look she asked me to sit up and explained that I had an oily sin type and my thoughts were correct. I had comedones on my skin more likely because of congestion than hormonal or bacterial.

I was prescribed Isolaz treatment and a course of 6 is recommended.

Isolaz is an expensive treatment one is £150 and a course of 6 is about £600-£700.

I read up on the treatment and peoples reviews. From what I could gather it was good for comedones but not so great for nodule or cystic acne.

I put money aside, took the plunge and booked a 6 treatment course.

This is what the Isolaz website ( isolaz.com) says about its treatment:

The Isolaz Difference

Acne Hasn’t Changed, But How We Treat it Has

Through technological innovation, Isolaz therapy can effectively treat acne without lifestyle changes, oral prescriptions or a regimen of skincare products. Treatment takes place in a doctor’s office and is comfortable and reliable, giving you quick and long-lasting acne clearance. That’s the Isolaz difference.

Clinically Proven Acne Clearance

Clinical studies by leading dermatologists have proven the effectiveness of Isolaz to treat acne.
     •  Immediate results within 24–48 hours, including reduced redness, clearing of
         skin discoloration and immediate drying/ flattening of the blemish.1
     •  Significant decrease in number of acne lesions (spots, pimples, pustules) and
         a decrease in the amount of oil production.2

Successful on All Skin Types

Isolaz treatment targets deep into the pores and is FDA cleared for use on all skin types (light or dark). It is safe, reliable and effective as a standalone acne therapy or as a complementary treatment to other acne regimens (please consult your Isolaz treatment provider). Isolaz can even jump-start a topical treatment regimen by helping your skin absorb skincare products better.3

Successful on Non-Responders to Other Acne Treatments

Isolaz treatment has been proven to reduce lesions by over 75% within 2 months for patients who have not responded to antibiotics, topical products or lasers.2

Fast Treatments

Isolaz treatments often take only 15 to 30 minutes! You can jump back into your life immediately after treatment with little to no downtime.

Comfortable

In a published clinical study, 100% of patients noted Isolaz treatments were painless.2 

Isolaz claim its a quick treatment. I agree, my whole appointment time was 45 minutes. Firstly the therapist cleansed my skin. She then applied a glycolic acid lotion and left it for a moment or two. This was to disrupt the acid mantle and prepare the skin for the treatment. This felt a little tingly. Nothing uncomfortable. On an open lesion it did sting but nothing unbearable. Then she sprayed my face with water to cool it down.  I was so nervous! Then the treatment began. 

First the machine creates a vacuum. Not dissimilar to the sensation of sticking a hoover to your arm. It then stops and the light flashes. It is a quick burst of light and it can be warm. Its not hot nor does it burn, but a couple of areas it felt like being flicked with an elastic band. Again this is nothing I couldn't handle. This isn't like going for a spa facial. I wouldn't call it relaxing but at the same time I wouldn't say it was uncomfortable. Periodically the therapist sprayed my face with water to cool it down. Once the light treatment was completed she performed extractions. YES this is EWWWW, YUCKY and DISGUSTING. But necessary. This was probably the most uncomfortable part of the treatment. Once this was completed she cleansed my skin and applied a moisturiser with SPF. Isolaz can make your skin light sensitive so SPF is important.

Here is a picture of my face the day before treatment and the day after.

I am over the moon with the results. This is my first treatment and already a significant change has occurred.

I was warned that sometimes some spots can be pulled to the surface. I have been lucky. No new spots appeared and my skin continued to smooth out over the following days.

I have booked a treatment every week or the next 5 weeks. A part of me thinks I may not need to use all 6 treatments in one course.

It was advised that future treatments may be necessary to maintain the skin but I shall face that bridge when I come to it.

Sk:n gave me a skin care regime to follow every morning and night. It consists of a cleanser, serum moisturiser in the morning as well as an SPF. In the evening its the same routine but I skip the SPF and add in a pore refiner.

I have to admit the products are nicer than I thought they would be. You can apply makeup over them, however don't apply too much foundation because it can crack and split.

Overall Sk:n have been amazing. The nurse Sarah completely put me at ease and did a wonderful job on my skin. All the staff put me at ease and didn't flinch when I arrived back at reception post treatment very red and blotchy.

I can't wait for my next treatment and fingers crossed things keep improving the way they have from this first treatment.