Acne treatment is among the most common treatments performed at our practice. Fortunately, there are various ways to treat acne effectively. Using experience, knowledge, medication, and technology, we treat acne aggressively to deliver the best results possible.
Procedure Efficacy
Photodynamic therapy and medication (e.g. Accutane) are most effective for the treatment of severe acne. Medications, facials, and laser treatment with PDL (Pulsed Dye Laser) are the most effective treatments for moderate acne. Mild acne is best treated by a combination of facials, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion.
| mild acne | moderate acne | severe / cystic acne | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photodynamic Therapy | - | +++ | +++ |
| Medication | +++ | +++ | +++ |
| Facials/ Backcials | +++ | +++ | ++ |
| Chemical Peels | +++ | ++ | + |
| Micro-dermabrasion | ++ | - | - |
| Pulsed Dye Laser | - | +++ | ++ |
| Smoothbeam Laser | - | ++ | ++ |
Treatment Plan
Effective treatment often requires the combination of different modalities to treat all components that cause acne. For best and fast results, medical treatment or photodynamic therapy should be supported by various procedures.
Medical extraction facials, salicylic acid peels, and microdermabrasion open up the microcomedones, the starter lesions of all acne. Glycolic acid products and peels also diminish pigmentation from past breakouts.
Time to Results
| mild acne | moderate acne | severe / cystic acne | |
|---|---|---|---|
| time | 1-2 months | 2-4 months | 4-6 months |
Let’s start…
First, watch to learn what type of acne you have
Mild Acne? Learn how to treat it
Treatment of Moderate Acne
Treatment of Severe Acne
Topical medical treatments target several components of acne and are usually used to prevent acne breakouts.
When acne is very severe and scar formation is impending, photodynamic therapy or systemic treatments are indicated.
Treatment Comparison
| Photo-dynamic Therapy | Medi-cations | Acne Facial | Acne Facial Extraction (*) | Chemical Peels | Micro-derma-brasion | Pulsed Dye Laser | Smooth-beam laser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results | +++ | +++ | ++ | ++ | ++ | + | ++ | ++ |
| Risks | ++ | +++ | + | + | + | - | ++ | ++ |
| # of treatments | 4-6 | NA | 2-6 | 2-6 | 3-6 | 3-6 | 3-4 | 3-4 |
| Price per treatment | $600 | varies | $98 | varies | $100,$500/6 | $120, $600/6 | $250 | $250 |
| Insurance Coverage (**) | no | yes | no | yes | no | no | no | no |
(*) A prior medical consultation and an explicit recommendation by the medical provider (not by an aesthetician) is required. Please check the specific rate, your deductible, coinsurance, and co-pay on this procedure with your insurance using ICD9 code 706.1 and CPT 10040.
(**) Copay and deductable might result in out-of-pocket cost