Acne is one of the most common skin concerns, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Whether you’re dealing with occasional breakouts or stubborn, long-term acne, the good news is that there are effective ways to treat it and keep your skin clear for the long term.
Understanding Acne: Why It Happens
Acne develops when pores become clogged with excess oil (sebum), dead skin cells, and sometimes bacteria. This can lead to blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, and even cysts.
Types of acne:
- Blackheads (open comedones): pores clogged with oil and debris that darken when exposed to air.
- Whiteheads (closed comedones): pores clogged with oil and debris that appear as small bumps under the skin.
- Papules: Inflamed red bumps.
- Pustules: Inflamed pimples with a white or yellow center.
- Nodule acne: Large, painful lumps deep under the skin.
- Cystic acne: More severe, deep lesions that often leave scars if untreated.
- Fungal acne: Small, uniform bumps caused by yeast overgrowth.
Common triggers include:
- Hormonal changes (puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause)
- Excess oil production and clogged pores
- Bacteria on the skin (Cutibacterium acnes)
- Diet and lifestyle factors
- Improper skincare or overuse of harsh products
- Seasonal stressors like sun exposure and dry, cold weather
Effective acne care targets more than just surface blemishes. It addresses inflammation, bacteria, pore congestion, and long-term skin health.
Common Approaches to Acne Care
Managing acne often requires a combination of treatments. Some of the most common approaches include:
- Medications: Dermatologists may prescribe topical creams or oral medications (like antibiotics or isotretinoin) to control breakouts and reduce inflammation. While Dermapure does not provide oral prescriptions, our experts can work with your physician’s recommendations to support your overall plan.
- Skincare: Using gentle, medical-grade products can help unclog pores, regulate oil production, and strengthen the skin barrier without causing irritation. Key ingredients include salicylic acid, glycolic acid, retinol, and niacinamide.
- Lifestyle Factors: Stress management, balanced nutrition, and proper hydration can all play a role in improving skin health and reducing flare-ups. Consistency in daily habits often makes a noticeable difference.
These strategies can help manage mild to moderate acne, but for persistent concerns or scarring, professional treatments are often the next step. That’s where Dermapure’s advanced clinical solutions come in.
Treatments We Recommend at Dermapure
Our clinical team personalizes acne treatment plans to address your unique skin needs. Some of our most effective options include treatments that target active acne and those that fade scarring after breakouts are resolved.
Top Treatments for Acne
- Dermapure Signature Peel, Powered by Functionalab: Gently exfoliates dead skin cells, clears clogged pores, and reduces inflammation for a smoother, clearer complexion.
- SkinCeuticals Anti-Acne Facial: Performed with medical-grade SkinCeuticals products, this deep-cleansing facial removes impurities, exfoliates, and hydrates while normalizing sebum production.
- Photorejuvenation (IPL): Targets redness, pigmentation, and bacteria while improving skin tone and texture with Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL).
- Photodynamic Therapy (Blue Light Therapy for Acne): Uses safe, targeted blue light to reduce acne-causing bacteria, calm inflammation, and help prevent new breakouts. Especially effective for active acne and oily skin.
- Bela MD / Hydrafacial: Deeply cleanses, exfoliates, and infuses the skin with active ingredients for acne control and hydration.
Top Treatments for Scarring
- RF Microneedling: Stimulates skin renewal to improve post-acne scarring and texture.
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma): Uses your own growth factors to support healing and reduce inflammation, often paired with microneedling and exosomes for enhanced acne scar repair.
- Laser Skin Resurfacing: Targets damaged skin layers to smooth uneven texture, reduce pigmentation, and stimulate new collagen production for a more refined, even surface.
- Dermal Fillers: Restores volume to indented acne scars, creating a smoother, more even complexion with immediate results and minimal downtime.
- Sculptra: A biostimulator that gradually stimulates collagen production to improve the look of atrophic acne scars, restoring firmness and smoother skin over time with natural, lasting results.
The Acne-Clearing Timeline: From Treatment to Long-Term Results
Just like post-procedure skin healing, successful acne treatment happens in phases. Understanding what’s happening beneath the surface helps explain why consistency, in both in-clinic treatments and at-home care, is critical.
Phase 1: Clearing & Calming (Weeks 1–4)
Initial treatments focus on reducing inflammation, clearing active breakouts, and unclogging pores. The skin may look calmer on the surface, but deeper congestion is still resolving. This is when medical-grade skincare helps prevent new blockages while soothing irritation.
Phase 2: Rebalancing & Prevention (Weeks 4–12)
Oil production begins to normalize, and active breakouts become less frequent. Treatments and skincare target bacteria control, support the skin barrier, and regulate cell turnover. This is the turning point where sticking to your plan helps prevent relapse.
Phase 3: Repairing & Refining (Months 3–6)
With fewer breakouts, focus shifts toward improving skin texture, fading post-acne marks, and restoring even tone. Treatments like RF Microneedling, PRP, and resurfacing peels help rebuild collagen and smooth scars.
Phase 4: Maintenance & Long-Term Health (Ongoing)
Even when the skin looks clear, the goal is to maintain results and protect progress. Regular follow-up treatments, seasonal peels, and a targeted skincare routine keep pores clear, oil balanced, and skin resilient against future breakouts.
The takeaway: Acne treatment isn’t a one-and-done solution. Just like your skin renews over time, your routine needs to be ongoing, adapting with your skin’s changes to keep it clear and healthy for the long term.
Skincare That Supports Clear, Healthy Skin
A consistent routine is key to keeping acne under control and maintaining results between clinical treatments. For acne-prone skin, each step plays an important role in targeting breakouts, supporting healing, and protecting long-term skin health.
Step 1 – Cleansing
Why it matters: Proper cleansing removes excess oil, impurities, and debris that clog pores without over-stripping the skin. This sets the foundation for all other products to work effectively.
Suggested product: Functionalab Foam Cleanser – A gentle formula that purifies while preserving the skin’s natural barrier.
Step 2 – Exfoliation (Acids)
Why it matters: Regular exfoliation with ingredients like glycolic or salicylic acid helps prevent pore congestion, smooth texture, and encourage skin renewal. It reduces buildup that leads to blackheads and breakouts.
Suggested products:
- Functionalab Triple Action Peel Pads – Exfoliate and refine skin texture.
- Functionalab Glycolic Acid Lotion 10% – Promotes cell turnover and unclogs pores.
Step 3 – Hydration
Why it matters: Acne-prone skin often becomes dehydrated, which can worsen oiliness and irritation. Hydration helps balance sebum production and keeps the barrier resilient.
Suggested products:
- Functionlab Biolift HA – a deeply hydrating hyaluronic acid serum that reduces redness and flaking.
- SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore – a rich moisturizing cream that protects the skin barrier and enhances tone and texture.
Step 4 – Sun Protection
Why it matters: UV exposure can worsen post-acne marks, trigger inflammation, and accelerate premature aging. Daily SPF is essential, even for acne-prone or oily skin.
Suggested product: SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 – A lightweight, broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects while maintaining a smooth, breathable finish.
Additional Targeted Options for Enhanced Results
For those looking to go further with acne care, advanced formulations can provide added benefits:
- SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense – A dual-action serum that targets blemishes while improving visible signs of aging.
- SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 / 0.5 – Encourages cell turnover, unclogs pores, and refines skin texture for a healthier-looking complexion.
- Functionalab EXO-xGF Serum – A lightweight, regenerative serum with plant-based exosomes and growth factors that calm redness, accelerate healing, and improve long-term resilience.
The Importance of Consistency
Like the skin’s healing phases after advanced treatments, acne management works best when there’s a continuous, targeted effort. Even after breakouts calm, the skin is still repairing beneath the surface — a time when ongoing care prevents relapse and optimizes skin health.
Your Dermapure plan will include both in-clinic treatments and an at-home routine designed to maintain clarity, resilience, and balance long term.
Take the First Step to Clearer Skin
Acne is personal, and so is your treatment plan. Book your 360° skin consultation with our experts to get a personalized roadmap for clear, healthy, and confident skin.
