Skip to main content

Dermatology · London

Private laser and light-based treatment for active acne, dermatology-led.

A consultant dermatologist, the right device for your skin type, and standard NICE-recommended acne care running alongside. Laser is an adjunct - we are honest about what it can and cannot do.

A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What a private laser or light-based acne course costs in London.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

£600–£3,000, with standard acne care continuing alongside.

Treatment Indicative range
LED (blue / red / combined) - single session £50–£150
LED course (typically 8–12 sessions) £400–£1,500
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) - per session £150–£400
1450nm diode laser - per session £250–£500
Nd:YAG 1064nm - per session £200–£450
Isolaz (vacuum + broadband light) - per session £150–£350
Typical full course of laser or PDT £600–£3,000
Dermatology consultation only £200–£400

Prices vary by clinic, by which dermatologist supervises, by the device used, and by how many sessions your acne needs.

The problem

Sold laser as a cure. Sold it too early. Sold the wrong device.

Acne is one of the most over-promised categories in aesthetic dermatology. We fix three things before you commit: the diagnosis, the pathway, and the device.

  • Not sure it will work?

    A dermatology consult first. Blue light, PDT and diode lasers work for specific patterns - not every acne is a laser case.

  • Tried everything already?

    If topicals and antibiotics have failed and isotretinoin is not an option, light-based adjuncts can help - under supervision.

When it helps

When light-based treatment is a reasonable next step.

The patterns we see most, plus the red flag that means dermatology urgency rather than an aesthetic booking.

  • Mild to moderate inflammatory acne

    Red papules and pustules that have not settled on topicals alone - blue light or LED may help as an adjunct.

  • Moderate to severe inflammatory acne

    When topical + oral pharmacotherapy is not enough, PDT or 1450nm diode can be added under dermatology supervision.

  • Antibiotic failure or resistance

    When repeated antibiotic courses have not worked, light-based treatment offers a non-antibiotic route to bactericidal action.

  • Cannot tolerate oral therapy

    Nausea, mood changes, or lab abnormalities on doxycycline or isotretinoin - light-based options are reasonable to explore.

  • Pregnancy or planning pregnancy

    Isotretinoin and many topical retinoids are contraindicated. Blue light and some LED protocols are options - dermatology-led.

  • Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

    Darker skin with lingering marks - Nd:YAG 1064nm is safer than shorter wavelengths in Fitzpatrick IV–VI.

  • Sebum-driven / oily-skin acne

    The 1450nm diode targets sebaceous glands thermally - reduces sebum output as well as inflammation.

  • Red flag: severe cystic or scarring acne

    Deep cysts, rapid scarring or acne conglobata are a dermatology emergency - isotretinoin, not laser, is the first conversation.

Device options

Not all “acne lasers” do the same thing.

What each device on the table actually is - and which acne pattern it suits.

  • Blue light (415nm)

    Targets C. acnes porphyrins to produce a bactericidal effect. Non-thermal, safe for most skin types. Multiple 15–20 min sessions weekly for 4–8 weeks.

  • Red light (633nm)

    Anti-inflammatory adjunct - often combined with blue light. Reduces redness and calms active lesions.

  • Combined blue + red LED

    Kleresca, Dermalux and similar systems pair wavelengths in one session - see our LED light therapy page for the full write-up.

  • Photodynamic therapy (PDT)

    Topical ALA or MAL is applied, incubated, then activated by red or blue light. More effective than plain LED for moderate–severe acne, with 1–3 days of redness and swelling.

  • 1450nm diode laser

    Targets sebaceous glands thermally to reduce sebum production and inflammation. Several sessions; short-lived redness.

  • Nd:YAG 1064nm (long-pulse)

    Deeper penetration, safer for Fitzpatrick IV–VI, and helpful for inflammatory acne with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

  • Isolaz (vacuum + broadband light)

    Combines pore vacuum extraction with broadband light in one handpiece - useful for comedonal plus inflammatory acne.

  • Fractional lasers

    Primarily a scarring treatment and used off-label for active acne. See our laser treatment for acne scarring page for scarring-specific care.

Safety and outcomes

What to expect - honestly.

Light-based treatment for acne is well-tolerated but not a cure. The things worth planning are your skin type, your existing regimen, and realistic expectations for a course.

  • Adjunct, not a cure

    Light-based treatment does not replace topical or oral acne care. NICE NG198 recommends pharmacotherapy first - laser adds to it, or is used when standard care fails or cannot be tolerated.

  • Realistic outcomes: 40–70% reduction

    Well-selected patients typically see a 40–70% reduction in inflammatory lesions across a course. Results are temporary - maintenance and ongoing acne care are needed.

  • Skin type matters

    Shorter wavelengths and IPL carry a higher risk of burns and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in Fitzpatrick IV–VI. Nd:YAG 1064nm is generally the safer option for darker skin.

  • Transient flare is common

    A short-lived acne flare in the first few weeks is well recognised, particularly with PDT. It usually settles as the course progresses.

  • Photosensitivity and sun avoidance

    PDT patients avoid direct sun for 24–48 hours after treatment. Photosensitising drugs (some antibiotics, retinoids) are reviewed before every session.

  • HSV reactivation with PDT

    PDT and other ablative-style treatments can reactivate cold sores. If you have a history of HSV, antiviral prophylaxis is discussed beforehand.

  • Redness, dryness and mild burns

    Transient erythema and dryness are expected. True burns are uncommon and usually reflect device error or the wrong wavelength for the skin type.

  • Not for pregnancy without review

    Some LED and blue-light protocols are considered reasonable during pregnancy, but PDT and most lasers are avoided. A dermatology review is essential.

  • Red flags

    Blistering, spreading rash, fever after PDT, or a persistent burn is not normal - call the clinic or A&E the same day.

Reading your treatment note

Your dermatology note in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever device was used, the note the dermatologist sends you keeps to the same shape.

A UK consultant dermatologist reviewing a patient’s treatment notes

A quiet reminder

Dermatology language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.

If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Diagnosis and severity

    Acne subtype (comedonal, inflammatory, cystic), Fitzpatrick skin type, and whether NICE first-line therapy has been tried.

  2. 02 Technique

    Device, settings and course

    Which device was used (blue light, PDT, 1450nm diode, Nd:YAG, Isolaz), settings, session count and interval between sessions.

  3. 03 Findings

    Response, side-effects and skin care

    Lesion count, photographs where taken, any redness, PIH, flare or HSV episode, and the topical / oral regimen you continue alongside.

  4. 04 Impression

    Maintenance plan and safety-net

    Read this first: when to return for maintenance, when to switch approach, and what to do if the acne flares or a burn develops.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Cover for laser and light-based acne treatment varies by insurer - often self-pay, sometimes funded when standard therapy has failed.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about laser for acne.

Quick answers on how effective it is, which device suits which acne, cost, and how it fits with standard treatment.

  • Does laser treatment cure acne?

    No. Light-based treatment reduces active inflammatory acne by roughly 40–70% across a course, but the effect is temporary and standard acne care (topicals and, where indicated, oral treatment) must continue. It is an adjunct, not a cure.

  • Should I try laser before topical or oral treatment?

    NICE guideline NG198 recommends topical therapy (benzoyl peroxide with a retinoid or antibiotic) and, where needed, oral treatment (doxycycline, hormonal treatment or isotretinoin) as first-line. Laser and light are used as an adjunct or when first-line therapy has failed or cannot be tolerated.

  • Which device is best for my acne?

    It depends on the acne type, your skin type and what you have already tried. Blue light and LED suit mild–moderate inflammatory acne; PDT and the 1450nm diode are considered for moderate–severe cases; Nd:YAG 1064nm is safer for darker skin. A dermatology consultation is the honest starting point.

  • How much does a private laser acne course cost in London?

    Single LED sessions run £50–£150, PDT £150–£400 per session, and laser sessions £150–£500. A full course is typically £600–£3,000 depending on device and number of sessions.

  • Does the treatment hurt?

    LED and blue light are painless and warm at most. Nd:YAG and 1450nm diode feel like a hot elastic snap on each pulse; topical anaesthetic and cooling are used. PDT stings during the light activation and leaves the skin red and swollen for one to three days.

  • Is laser safe for darker skin (Fitzpatrick IV–VI)?

    Some devices are, some are not. Shorter wavelengths and IPL carry a higher risk of burns and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The long-pulse Nd:YAG 1064nm is generally the safer laser choice, and LED / blue light are widely tolerated.

  • Can I have this while on isotretinoin?

    Traditionally most laser and PDT treatments were avoided during isotretinoin and for 6–12 months afterwards. Recent evidence has softened that advice for some devices, but the decision is dermatology-led and must be individualised.

  • Will this help my acne scars as well?

    Not directly. Active acne treatment and scarring treatment are different pipelines. Scarring is treated with fractional laser, subcision, TCA CROSS and other resurfacing approaches - see our laser treatment for acne scarring page.

  • When should I see a GP or A&E urgently?

    Rapidly worsening cystic acne with fever and joint pain (possible acne fulminans), a spreading rash after PDT, or a burn that blisters and does not settle within a day are all reasons to seek same-day medical help.

Related treatments

Looking for something else?