Acne Peels, Microneedling or LED in Brighton: Which Treatment for Which Acne
Acne peels, LED blue light and microneedling are the three in-clinic acne treatments most often compared at Dr Selvi Clinic in Brighton. Each suits a different stage of acne: LED from £59 and peels from £89 for active acne, microneedling £169 for marks and texture once skin is calm. Dr Selvi chooses after examination, starting with a free consultation.
Start with the type of acne, not the treatment
Acne is not one condition, and a treatment has to match the skin in front of the doctor. Broadly, the clinic sees three situations, which overlap:
Active inflammatory acne: red papules, pustules and deeper nodules or cysts. The priority is reducing inflammation and protecting against scarring.
Comedonal acne: blackheads, whiteheads and congestion with little redness. The priority is unblocking follicles and normalising oil.
Post-acne marks and texture: flat red or brown marks, and early textural change, on skin that is no longer breaking out much. The priority is remodelling and evening out tone.
Dr Selvi examines the skin, often with a Wood's lamp, before deciding. The overall approach is described in the acne treatment guide.
Acne peels: £89 per session, course of 4 £299
A superficial acne peel applies a controlled acid solution, typically salicylic or a blended formula, to loosen the outer layer of skin and clear the follicle openings. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore, and peels also gradually lift post-inflammatory pigmentation.
Best for: comedonal acne, oily congested skin, mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne, brown post-acne marks. Less suitable for: very inflamed or cystic skin on the day of treatment (it stings and can aggravate), active cold sores. Sessions: a course of 4, spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart, then maintenance as needed. Downtime: tightness and mild redness on the day, light flaking for 2 to 5 days. Sun protection is essential. Risks: temporary irritation, rarely pigmentation change or a cold sore flare in those prone. See chemical peels in Brighton for how peel depth is chosen.
LED blue light: £59 per session, course of 8 £349
Blue LED light (around 415 nm) is absorbed by porphyrins produced by acne bacteria, generating a reaction that reduces the bacterial population in the follicle; red light is often combined to calm inflammation. There is no heat damage and no exfoliation, so it can be used on skin that is too inflamed for a peel.
Best for: active inflammatory acne, as a way to reduce lesions between other treatments, and for people who cannot tolerate acids or needling. Less suitable for: purely comedonal acne (it does little for blackheads), or as a stand-alone answer for deep cystic acne. Sessions: usually twice a week for 4 weeks, hence the course of 8, then maintenance. Downtime: none. Risks: minimal; protective eyewear is worn. Photosensitising medicines need to be declared at consultation.
Microneedling: £169 per session
Medical microneedling creates thousands of tiny controlled punctures in the dermis, triggering collagen production and remodelling. It is a treatment for what acne leaves behind, not for acne itself. Needling through active pustules risks spreading bacteria, so the clinic waits until the skin has been largely clear for around 3 months.
Best for: post-acne texture, early rolling and shallow boxcar scars, enlarged pores, and stubborn red marks that peels have not shifted. Less suitable for: active inflammatory acne, keloid-prone skin, or skin with an active infection. Sessions: 3 to 6, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. Downtime: redness like mild sunburn for 24 to 48 hours, pinpoint bleeding on the day, dryness for a few days. Risks: temporary swelling, rarely infection or pigmentation change. For a fuller discussion of scar types, see acne scar treatment in Brighton.
A side-by-side summary
| | Acne peel | LED blue light | Microneedling | |---|---|---|---| | Main use | Congestion, mild inflammation, brown marks | Active inflammatory acne | Post-acne texture and marks | | Works on active spots? | Mild-to-moderate, yes | Yes | No, skin must be calm | | Sessions | Course of 4, 2–4 weeks apart | Course of 8 over ~4 weeks | 3–6, 4–6 weeks apart | | Downtime | 2–5 days light flaking | None | 1–2 days redness | | Price | £89 / course £299 | £59 / course £349 | £169 |
Combining treatments in a programme
In practice the three are rarely used in isolation. A typical sequence for inflamed, congested skin is LED first to reduce inflammation, peels once the skin can tolerate them, and microneedling at the end when the acne is controlled and the focus turns to marks. Painful cysts can be injected along the way.
This is what the clinic's Intensive Acne Programme (6 weeks, £449) formalises: the treatments are scheduled in the right order with review appointments, rather than bought one at a time. For hormonal-pattern acne in adult women, see adult acne in women. All prices are on the pricing page, and the final plan is confirmed at consultation.
What none of these treatments do
None of these treatments cures acne, which is a medical condition that tends to run in phases and needs ongoing management. None replaces prescription treatment when a GP or dermatologist judges it necessary; the clinic will refer. And none reverses established deep scarring in a handful of sessions. What they do is reduce active lesions, shorten flares and improve the marks acne leaves behind, when matched to the right skin at the right time.
Frequently asked questions
Is a chemical peel or microneedling better for acne?
They do different jobs. Peels help active congestion, mild inflammation and brown marks. Microneedling is for the texture and marks left once acne has calmed, and should not be done on actively inflamed skin. Many people have peels first and microneedling later.
Does LED light therapy actually work for acne?
Blue light reduces the bacteria involved in inflammatory acne and can lower the number of active lesions over a course, particularly with red light. It works best within a programme and does little for blackheads.
Can I have a peel if my acne is very inflamed?
Sometimes not straight away. Very inflamed or cystic skin can react badly to acids. Dr Selvi often uses LED first to calm the skin, then introduces peels once it can tolerate them.
How soon after acne clears can I have microneedling?
The clinic usually waits until the skin has been largely clear for around 3 months. Needling active spots risks spreading bacteria and delaying healing.
What is the downtime for each acne treatment?
LED has no downtime. Peels cause light flaking for 2 to 5 days. Microneedling causes redness for 24 to 48 hours with some dryness for a few days. Sun protection is needed throughout any acne programme.
How much do acne treatments cost in Brighton?
At Dr Selvi Clinic, LED blue light is £59 per session or £349 for a course of 8, acne peels are £89 per session or £299 for a course of 4, microneedling is £169 per session, and the Intensive Acne Programme is £449 for six weeks. The consultation is free.
Who will treat me
Dr Selvi, founder and medical director, ECFMG-registered doctor with over 10 years of medical and aesthetic experience.
Book a free consultation
The clinic works on the principle of diagnosis before treatment: the skin is examined, with a Wood's lamp where useful, and the right sequence is explained before anything is booked. Book a free, no-obligation consultation at 57B London Road, Brighton BN1 4JE, call +44 7570 099947, or use the contact page.
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