Acne is an incredibly common condition; it affects up to 50 million people every year. Acne affects 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24, and 40-54% of adults older than 25.

There are four main factors of acne formation: excess oil (sebum) production, hair follicles clogged by oil and dead skin cells, bacteria, and inflammation. Acne will typically form on the face, forehead, chest, upper back, and shoulders, because these areas of skin have the most sebaceous glands.

Hormonal changes, such as androgen increases seen during puberty; certain medications like steroids or testosterone; diet, like carbohydrate-rich foods; and stress.

We always recommend making an appointment with our esthetician to get personalized skincare recommendations, but there are a few topical skincare treatments that should be effective for most people. Retinol, tretinoin, azelaic acid, and salicylic acid should be effective both over the counter and with a prescription.

We offer the AviClear laser from Cutera, which is able to eliminate acne at the source by targeting the sebaceous glands. We also have the laser genesis treatment, chemical peels, and facials to help target active acne. 

For acne scarring, more aggressive treatment is sometimes necessary to promote collagen and penetrate the dermis. We have microneedling, chemical peels, and laser genesis to target scarring and promote cell turnover and collagen growth.