Your Path to Acne-Free Confidence
With hundreds of items at the pharmacy for acne treatment, where do you start? The options at the store and online are overwhelming. The best way to find care that actually works is to team up with a professional. At Burt & Will Plastic Surgery and Dermatology, our board-certified physicians work with you to develop a scientifically proven, cost-effective acne treatment plan to treat active breakouts, prevent future blemishes, and minimize scarring. Whether your acne is mild or severe and persisting, we provide thorough care for all acne types.
Understanding Acne and Its Causes
- One or both parents experience(d) acne as a teen or an adult
- Pregnancy
- Cigarette smoking
- Stress
- Oily makeup and skincare products
- Oily haircare products, such as pomade
- Too little sleep
- Certain medications, such as steroids
- Poor diet
Before & After Photos
Explore our before and after gallery to witness the remarkable transformations that have left our clients feeling more confident and beautiful than ever. From subtle enhancements to dramatic makeovers, our gallery showcases the artistry of transformation.
Comprehensive Acne Treatment Options
Topical Medications
Topical medications, including those both over-the-counter and prescription, reduce the amount of bacteria on the skin and the level of inflammation. Certain topical medications can also exfoliate the skin and speed up cell renewal.- Types: Retinoids, benzol peroxide, salicylic acid
- Best For: Mild acne, spot treatments, and in addition to other treatments
- Advantages: Non-invasive, customizable, fewer systemic side effects
- Disadvantages: You may experience initial side effects such as redness, dryness, and scaling, which usually improve after the first month.
- Considerations: Some acne medications may also make you more susceptible to sunburn, so always wear a noncomedogenic (non-pore clogging) sunscreen. Many topical medications can take 6 to 8 weeks before improvement is seen, but can be used for years as needed.
Customized Medical-Grade Skin Care
We are proud to offer a range of skincare lines that we customize to your skin type, including ZO Skin Health, Obagi Medical, and our own Burt & Will product lines. These washes, pads, and creams help to control sebum, kill bacteria, and help with cell turnover on the skin. Often, they manage certain forms of acne by themselves.- Best For: Moderate to severe acne and other concerns such as deep wrinkles, sun damage, and hyperpigmentation
- Advantages: Scientifically proven to be more effective and longer lasting than over-the-counter products, particularly for those with complex skin issues.
- Disadvantages: Can be more expensive
- Considerations: Medical-grade skincare contains higher concentrations of active ingredients, which can initially cause skin irritation.
Prescription Pills for Acne
Prescription pills can be especially effective for severe acne or for deep and painful cystic acne. For stubborn scarring acne, isotretinoin (Accutane), a vitamin A derivative that can have long-lasting results, is great for the right individual. Isotretinoin does require some lab monitoring, and we’ll be sure to fully discuss the pros and cons of this medication if we are considering it.- Types: Antibiotics, hormonal therapies (e.g., oral birth control, spironolactone), steroids, and isotretinoin (Accutane)
- Best For: Severe acne; deep, cystic acne Advantages: Stops acne from forming at its root and is especially effective for bacterial infections and hormone imbalances.
- Disadvantages: Potential side effects include upset stomach, dizziness, skin redness, increased sensitivity to light, and dry or peeling skin.
- Considerations: Antibiotics can dramatically improve acne and get it under control, but indefinite long-term antibiotic use is avoided as it can lead to antibiotic resistance. If taking isotretinoin, acne can worsen for 1 to 2 months before it begins to clear.
Light Therapy and Laser Skin Tightening
In areas where acne has left scars or indentations, laser skin tightening may be used to realign collagen under the scar tissue and tighten the skin surface. By stimulating collagen growth, laser treatment fills in scars and depressions.- Types: Blue light and photodynamic therapy; ablative laser skin tightening
- Best For: Mild to moderate acne and those who prefer to avoid medication
- Advantages: Light therapy reduces redness and inflammation and can stimulate more collagen production. Laser treatment creates an overall smoother and more even skin texture.
- Disadvantages: Light therapy isn’t for everyone and can take multiple sessions for optimal results. Healing after laser treatment can take 10 to 21 days, depending on how much of the skin was treated.
- Considerations: Potential side effects of laser skin tightening include pain, swelling, bleeding, and scarring, among others.
Microneedling
Microneedling involves performing controlled tiny micro-injuries on the skin with a sterile tool. As the body starts the healing process, it stimulates collagen in the skin which helps to improve skin texture and reduce acne scars.- Best For: Acne scars and overall poor skin texture
- Advantages: Reduces severity of acne scars, fine lines, and promotes skin rejuvenation
- Disadvantages: If done incorrectly or at home, microneedling can cause infection or scarring. The procedure also causes short-term swelling, redness, and skin flaking for a few days.
- Considerations: Microneedling with active acne as not advised, as the procedure will spread the bacteria further.
Medical Facials
At Burt & Will, we provide plastic surgery and dermatology services as well as aesthetics. Our aestheticians offer an acne facial specific to your skin type and breakout patterns. A customized facial focuses on unclogging pores, reducing the overproduction of oil, cleaning the skin to stimulate a fresh presence, and reducing pore size.- Types: Examples include chemical peel, microdermabrasion, HydraFacial, and an acne facial
- Best For: Mild and noninflammatory acne
- Advantages: Can be personalized depending on your current acne and other symptoms
- Disadvantages: Results are temporary
- Considerations: For those with more severe acne, medical facials can make your condition worse.
Medical Injectables
Our selection of aesthetic injectables like Restylane, Juvederm, and Renuva plump the skin to diminish acne scars. This result leaves your skin looking healthy with a smooth texture. Additionally, thick acne scars (e.g., keloids and hypertrophic scars) and cystic acne can benefit from steroid injections which work to soften and flatten the scar and reduce inflammation.- Best For: Deeper scars and uneven skin tone; occasional cysts needing fast relief
- Advantages: Immediate and long-lasting results with minimal downtime
- Disadvantages: Won’t prevent future acne from forming
- Considerations: Receiving injectables can require specific pre- and post-treatment care. Speak with your dermatologist or aesthetician for more information.
Skincare Maintenance and Post-Treatment Care
The best way to prevent future breakouts and maintain your results is to take care of your skin. Our dermatologists recommend gentle, noncomedogenic cleansers, moisturizers, and sun protection for all of our patients. Establishing a consistent routine is key – but the main word is consistency. Our dermatologists and aestheticians can help you create your daily skincare routine to maximize your results.
Acne Treatment FAQs
The cost of acne treatment depends on the type and combination of treatments best for your skin. For some, topical medications may be all you need versus someone else who requires prescription medication for relief. Additional factors like the severity of acne and frequency of treatments contribute to the overall cost. Contact us for a consultation and we can discuss your personalized treatment plan with a transparent cost breakdown.
The timeline for when you will see results depends on the type of treatment received. For instance, topical and oral medications may take several weeks to a month or two to show results. On the other hand, procedures like medical facials, laser and light therapy, and microneedling may show acne and overall skin improvement after one or two sessions.
Could there be an “anti-acne diet” that truly helps? The jury is still out on this one. There is some evidence to suggest that low glycemic index foods – or those that do not spike your blood sugar up and down after eating them – may be beneficial. This would include whole grains, high-fiber fruits and vegetables, lentils, and the like while avoiding some high glycemic index items, such as high-sugar sodas and candies. As an added benefit, low glycemic index diets are heart-healthy as well. Other associations are more questionable. It’s possible that dairy and whey protein may contribute to acne, and taking probiotics or zinc may help, but larger studies are needed to prove it.
Acne does affect all skin types and tones. It can be frustrating because you never know when or where blemishes will flare up. People with darker skin face additional challenges like scarring and post-inflammatory dark spots. While it’s not possible to determine what an acne breakout will look like for you or when it will occur, you can help prevent skin problems with a doctor-recommended skincare routine.
While stress alone is not the ultimate cause of acne, it can be a factor that contributes to acne flares. During times of stress and anxiety, various hormones are released into our body (including glucocorticoids and corticotropin-releasing hormones), which can increase oil production on the skin and clog pores. Additionally, stressors can trigger nerve-activating substances in the skin, increasing inflammation and flaring acne. While we can’t eliminate stress in our lives, finding healthy ways of dealing with it with your physician can minimize these flares.
Acne treatments help to normalize the skin, controlling the most difficult acne and preventing future breakouts. Our advanced acne treatments are corrective procedures designed to remove dead skin cells, keep the pores clean, and kill deep underlying acne bacteria.
Take Control of your Skin Health at Burt & Will
Treating your acne isn’t like how it was when your parents were young. Acne treatments have evolved to cover all types of acne, from inflammatory to noninflammatory, mild to severe, and even deep scarring. Our dermatologists and aestheticians at Burt & Will are here to help you achieve clear and vibrant skin. By developing a personalized treatment plan, we can address exactly what your skin needs, and doesn’t need. Contact us for a consultation and we can take the first step on your acne treatment journey.