If prescription medications have done little to improve your skin health and reduce signs of acne, or if you prefer non-prescription based solutions for treating acne, there are several medspa treatments that address acne at its source. Additionally, these treatments help reduce any undesired pigmentation and uneven skin texture resulting from an acne breakout.
What is the Root Cause of Acne?
There are two types of acne: noninflammatory and inflammatory. Noninflammatory acne includes blackheads and whiteheads, pimples that form when pores get clogged by dead skin cells and excess sebum, an oily substance secreted from the skin. Sebum overproduction is influenced by several factors, including age, diet, environment, and most importantly, hormones.
Inflammatory acne includes deeper, more painful pimples like papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts. While clogged pores and hormonal fluctuations can lead to inflammatory acne, bacteria also plays a major role in acne development. Bacteria can cause an infection deep below the skin’s surface, which makes it difficult to pinpoint the root source of acne in men and women of all ages.
How Do Most Anti-Acne Treatments Work?
Most prescription anti-acne treatments work by reducing sebum production or by treating a bacterial infection. For instance, the drug isotretinoin — better known by the brand name Accutane® — reduces the amount of sebum released by the skin to treat clogged pores, inflammation, and severe acne that has not responded to other treatments, like prescription oral antibiotics.
“While Accutane is an awesome treatment that works for most patients, there are so many side effects,” explains Taryn Johnston, Senior Medical Aesthetician at Tribeca MedSpa. Aside from dry, cracked skin, Accutane has been linked to significant mental health concerns, including suicidal thoughts, as well inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis (UC). “The ability to achieve the same results without those side effects is huge.”
How to Treat Acne without Prescriptions
When prescription medications fall short or simply want to be avoided, there are proven ways to treat acne with these 4 medspa treatments:
1. AviClear™ Acne Treatment
AviClear™ is the first drug-free, FDA-cleared energy device for treating mild to severe acne.
AviClear is also the only device recommended for individuals of all ages with all skin types. From noninflammatory blackheads and whiteheads to inflammatory pustules and cysts, AviClear can address new and future breakouts without chemicals, drugs, or related harmful side effects.
2. Laser Treatments
AviClear isn’t the only laser treatment for acne:
- Laser Genesisgently heats the dermis to kill acne-causing bacteria hiding beneath the surface of the skin.
- IPL Photo Facialuses gentle pulses of light to target pigment-producing cells and uneven skin tone caused by acne breakouts.
- LightStim LED Light Therapyemits red wavelengths to minimize inflammation and blue wavelengths to eliminate acne-causing bacteria.
3. Medical-Grade Facials
Medical-grade facials refer to a customizable, clinical approach to facials, in which professional-strength skincare products are applied to deeply penetrate the root cause of acne. One medical facial for acne is SkinClear, which combines a chemical peel and LED light therapy with a clarifying clay mask and antioxidant application to treat acne-prone, oily, and congested skin.
Another popular medical-grade facial for acne is SkinBright, which combines an ultra-moisturizing HydraFacial with a micropeel treatment to improve overall skin tone. While the HydraFacial clears dead skin cells and oil from the pores, a micropeel helps to brighten and refresh dull skin.
4. Microneedling Treatments
“Outside of AviClear, my favorite thing to pair with an acne treatment is microneedling to help lessen acne scarring,” shares Taryn Johnston, Senior Medical Aesthetician. Microneedling uses a pen-like device with micro sterile needles to create controlled, microscopic injuries. These injuries stimulate collagen production to help reduce the appearance of textured atrophic acne scars.
Atrophic scars are the most common type of scarring caused by inflammatory acne, which typically presents as indentations in the skin caused by the destruction of collagen. Atrophic scars like boxcar, rolling, and ice pick scars can be visibly reduced with microneedling acne treatments.
How to Treat Acne at Home Between Appointments
While medspa treatments are preferred to reduce the frequency and intensity of breakouts, it’s important to maintain progress between visits. Consider these tips for how to treat acne at home:
- Use a gentle cleanser twice daily to remove dirt and excess oil.
- Exfoliate consistently to buff away dead skin cells that can clog pores.
- Keep the skin moisturized to minimize dryness and help the skin heal.
- Choose quality non-comedogenic and alcohol-free skincare consistently.
- Stay out of the sun and use SPF 30 or higher whenever possible.
Why Choose a Trusted Provider for Acne Treatment?
If you’ve struggled with breakouts, reach out to a trusted provider to learn how to treat acne without a prescription. At Tribeca MedSpa, our renowned medical team has robust experience with different skin types and acne types — including bacterial and hormonal acne — to customize a treatment plan that best addresses your needs. Schedule a complimentary consultation to learn more.