Clinical Dermatology

Acne Treatment

A treatment plan matched to your acne type and severity -- not a one-size-fits-all skincare routine.

Dealing with occasional breakouts?

Mild, occasional acne often responds well to the right over-the-counter routine. An evaluation helps confirm this is what you're dealing with, and rules out other causes of breakouts.

Persistent or severe acne?

Acne that scars, that hasn't improved with over-the-counter products, or that's affecting your confidence deserves a proper medical evaluation and a structured treatment plan.

Acne is one of the most common reasons people see a dermatologist, and one of the most commonly self-treated with over-the-counter products before ever seeing one. The trouble with self-treating is that acne has several distinct underlying mechanisms — excess oil production, clogged pores, bacterial overgrowth, and inflammation — and different acne types respond to different combinations of treatment. Using the wrong approach for months can mean prolonged breakouts and, often, permanent scarring that becomes much harder to treat later.

Acne isn’t limited to teenagers. Adult-onset and persistent adult acne are increasingly common, often with a different pattern (along the jawline and chin) and different contributing factors than teenage acne, which means the right approach can look quite different too.

What to Expect at Your Visit

Your first visit includes a skin examination to grade the severity and type of your acne — comedonal (blackheads/whiteheads), inflammatory (papules/pustules), or cystic/nodular — since severity and type both guide treatment choice. We’ll also review your current skincare routine, any products you’ve tried, and your medical history for factors that might be contributing, such as hormonal patterns.

Treatment Approach

Mild acne often responds well to topical treatments used consistently over several weeks — consistency matters more here than trying multiple products simultaneously, which frequently causes irritation without speeding results. Moderate to severe acne, or acne not responding adequately to topical treatment alone, may call for oral medical therapy, selected based on your specific presentation.

For acne that is cystic, deeply inflamed, or scarring rapidly, in-clinic procedures can help control active lesions more quickly while the underlying medical treatment takes effect.

Setting Realistic Expectations

Acne treatment takes time — most regimens need six to eight weeks of consistent use before real improvement is visible, and we set that expectation clearly upfront so you don’t abandon an effective treatment too early. We’re also direct about the connection between untreated or picked-at acne and scarring: addressing active acne promptly is the best way to reduce the risk of scarring that’s considerably more difficult to treat afterward.

How We Evaluate

Skin examination and acne severity grading
Review of skincare routine and product use
Assessment for hormonal or other contributing factors where indicated

Treatment Options

Topical Therapy: Prescription-strength topical treatments matched to your acne type, used correctly and consistently for measurable improvement.
Oral Medical Therapy: For moderate to severe acne, oral treatment options considered based on severity, gender, and medical history.
Procedural Support: In-clinic procedures to speed improvement in stubborn or cystic acne, used alongside a medical regimen.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for acne treatment to work?

Most regimens need six to eight weeks of consistent use before real improvement is visible. This timeline is set clearly upfront so an effective treatment isn't abandoned too early.

Does diet affect acne?

Diet can play a role for some people, though it varies individually and is rarely the sole cause. It's worth discussing at your evaluation alongside the other factors -- hormonal, skincare-related, and genetic -- that more commonly drive acne.

Why am I getting acne as an adult?

Adult-onset acne is increasingly common and often presents differently from teenage acne, typically along the jawline and chin, with different contributing factors like hormonal patterns. It's treated with an approach suited to this pattern rather than a teenage-acne regimen.

Does picking at acne cause scarring?

Yes, picking or squeezing acne lesions significantly increases the risk of permanent scarring. Addressing active acne promptly with proper treatment is the best way to reduce that risk in the first place.