Four Best Treatments to Get Rid of Acne – Summer Acne Series: Part 1

Acne affects up to 50 million people every year, according to the American Academy of Dermatologists. If you suffer from acne, then you may dread the summer months. Warmer weather can mean more sweat, oilier skin, and an increased risk of acne breakouts. And not just on your face (ugh bacne). But don’t worry! We’re kicking off Part 1 of our 2-part Summer Acne Series by covering the four best treatments to get rid of your acne.

The Consultation

A comprehensive consultation is the MOST important step to treating your acne—always. At Dermacare of Hampton Roads, we do not skip this step. When you come in to see us, one of our Dermacare of Hampton Roads Experts will get to know you, your skin, your skincare routine, and any concerns or issues you’re having. This consultation also allows us to get a closer look at your skin so we can carefully  evaluate what’s going on.

Onto the treatments… 

Signature Facial

Normally one of the first steps to getting rid of acne is our Signature Facial. This facial uses medical-grade products that can’t be found at an ordinary spa. This treatment is important because it helps get rid of any congestion in the skin so that: 

• we can fully understand/assess your skin
• your skin is ready to move onto the next treatment step (should one be required).

During a Signature Facial, our Dermacare of Hampton Roads Experts will gently clean your skin (or acne-affected area), perform any necessary extractions, then prep the skin for the next step in your treatment.

Typically, the next step is either a Light Chemical Peel or a blue light treatment.

Light Chemical Peel

Light Chemical Peels are a great option for acne treatment. 

Our Light Chemical Peels are highly customizable. We have about 12-15 different types of peels which can be personalized to treat acne and any post-acne scarring. They can be formulated to achieve many things, such as killing bacteria, bringing down inflammation, and exfoliating skin faster than what would happen naturally.

During a Light Chemical Peel, your Dermacare of Hampton Roads Expert will choose a product suited for your skin type and needs and gently apply it to the skin. At Dermacare of Hampton Roads, we always start people on a more conservative peel and work our way up to stronger ones. This is because we want to see how both you and your skin react to the product. During your peel, your Dermacare of Hampton Roads Expert will regularly check in with you to determine your comfort level. This will help determine if a stronger peel is necessary to achieve your treatment goals.

Most people get peels monthly or in a series of 4-6 peels. Here are a few quick facts you should know about Light Chemical Peels:

• You will see the most noticeable improvement after 3 peels (or at about 12 weeks)
• Clients may experience flaking, or facial dandruff, about 48 hours after treatment (usually around the mouth and eyes)
• Your skin will start to feel tight before it flakes
• More aggressive peels can result in sheets of skin shedding

This service always includes a deep cleansing of the skin as well as extractions before applying the peel over the area being treated.

BLU-U® Light 

A popular acne treatment, especially in young adults and teens, is the Acne BLU-U® Light Treatment. BLU-U® Light treats mild to moderate acne and reoccurring acne, using a blue light. The blue light targets bacteria in oil glands, killing it and thus eliminating the root cause of many people’s acne. 

This treatment is non-invasive, requires no downtime, and can restore a glowing complexion in just a few short weeks!

BLU-U® Light treatment sessions typically last 15-30 minutes. The most popular areas of treatment include the face, chest, and back. We generally advise patients to get a treatment session once or twice monthly in conjunction with a light chemical peel or signature facial, or twice a week for a minimum of 4 to 5 weeks alone.

Forever Clear BBL

Forever Clear BBL is another great acne treatment option. This treatment utilizes a three-step process for getting rid of stubborn inflammatory and cystic acne.

Step #1 – The blue BBL light kills the bacteria in the acne.

Step #2 – The yellow BBL Light reduces any inflammation and redness in the skin.

Step #3 – The infrared light initiates your skin’s healing process.

This treatment is non-invasive, FDA-cleared, and can be used in combination with a home skincare routine. It’s also very gentle and doesn’t require a topical anesthetic. 

Forever Clear BBL treatments are typically sold in a series 6, with treatments spaced about 2 weeks apart. Patients usually begin seeing results after 2-3 treatments. (We additionally offer a Forever Clear Package which combines a series of 6 Forever Clear BBL treatments with 2 aesthetic treatments, addressing both comedonal and inflammatory/cystic acne.)

How do you know which treatment is right for you?

To find out which treatment is best for your acne, you can book a free virtual consultation with one of our Dermacare of Hampton Roads Experts. If you already know which treatment you think you’d like, or maybe you just want a bit more information—please feel free to book a virtual consultation! Our consultations are free and don’t require a credit card or any crazy obligations. 

We want to help, and we’re here for you when you’re ready. You can also give us a call at 757-547-7546 if that’s more your speed.

Stay tuned for our Summer Acne Series Part 2, where we’ll discuss the best skincare products to treat and avoid acne!