Professional Acne Treatment

Acne Treatment Bellevue & Kirkland | Professional Acne Treatment

Most people experience acne. However, for some people, acne becomes a chronic, painful problem that may not respond well to traditional over-the-counter treatments or basic skincare. If it lasts past your early twenties, is severe, or is recurrent, a master esthetician may be able to provide professional acne treatment options. Following a free skin consultation at Northwest Face & Body, our master estheticians offer the best acne treatment Bellevue and Kirkland provide.

Understanding Acne

Acne—also called acne vulgaris—can happen for a variety of reasons. However, the basics behind what it is come down to hair follicles clogged with oil and dead skin cells. This causes inflammation, which is what you will see on the surface. In more severe cases, acne can become infected and may require antibiotic treatment.

Occasional acne and breakouts, especially after puberty and into your early twenties are considered normal. However, constant acne or certain forms can warrant professional intervention, even in your teen years. Even further into adulthood, acne can be normal, but it should not be frequently or extremely painful. Acne is also sometimes a sign of a larger problem or concern.

Types Of Acne

Acne can take on many appearances and forms. Most people have experienced four out of the six types of acne, but the last two are more severe and sometimes chronic. The types of acne are:

• Blackheads: A common form of acne where the clogged hair follicle comes to the surface. They appear black because the air causes the sebum to become discolored. While a form of acne, blackheads are not considered pimples because while they are clogged follicles, they are open at the surface of the skin and are not painful.
• Whiteheads: Appears as a white bump on the skin. The clogged follicle remains beneath the skin and often will disappear on its own with time. It is the “closed” form of a blackhead and can develop into blackheads.
• Papules: Small, inflamed, pink bumps on the skin that may feel tender to the touch. They do not have a colored tip. They are most common among teenagers as a feature of hormonal changes. However, they can continue well into adulthood.
• Pustules: Pustules are larger bumps that are filled with yellow pus. While similar to papules, they will have a noticeably discolored head, usually yellow colored. They also can get bigger than papules. Clogged hair follicles are not the only cause of pustules and pustules can form due to psoriasis, chicken pox, and other conditions.
• Nodules: A more severe form of inflammatory acne, nodular acne consists of firm bumps you can feel under your skin. It may also cause raised bumps on the skin and often are painful to the touch. This type of acne cannot be adequately treated at-home or with superficial means.
• Cystic Acne: The term cystic acne refers to a worsened form of nodular acne where the bumps are also pus-filled alongside the other symptoms and features of nodular acne. Like nodules, cystic acne usually requires professional treatment to treat.

Common Causes

Acne has countless causes. Most are not serious and will result in mild acne that resolves on its own or with basic at-home treatment. Though, other causes may require ongoing management or treatment. It should be noted that some of the mentioned causes do not cause acne all the time and may not be the sole cause of acne. 

Some of the possible causes of acne include:

• Hormonal changes (puberty, menopause, beginning/ceasing/changing oral contraceptives, or starting gender affirming hormones, particularly testosterone)
• Genetics
• Hyperandrogenism in people assigned female at birth
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Pregnancy
• Menstruation
• Some steroidal medications
• Stress
• High carbohydrate diet
• Oil-based cosmetics
• Over exfoliation
• Smoking
• Everyday pollution and debris

Procedures For Acne Treatment

When you come in for a free skin consultation, your master esthetician will physically examine your skin and acne. They will also review your medical history and ask you questions about your lifestyle and experiences with acne. Based on this and other factors, they will help put together an acne treatment plan. This may include professional, medical-grade treatments like the ones detailed below.

VI Peel

A VI Peel is a specialized, medium-depth chemical peel. It was specifically designed as a way to treat cystic acne. The VI Peel does also come with cosmetic benefits, but is often used as part of a larger acne treatment regimen.

Microneedling

Microneedling—in all forms—can help reduce acne and the appearance of acne scars. It helps the skin heal and causes controlled inflammation that may help with inflammatory acne. Microneedling sometimes supplements other procedures.

Rain Facial

The rain facial is a gentle, medical-grade facial that is customized to each patient’s needs. The tsunami facial—a type of rain facial we offer—is especially good for acne. It uses red light therapy which promotes skin healing. The ultrasonic head lets your master esthetician penetrate deeper into the skin and clear clogged pores and hair follicles. Finally, the skin scrubber can help remove blackheads and other obstructions. A rain facial also infuses serums and moisture into the skin which helps nourish the skin and prevent future breakouts.

Oxygen Facial

Using highly pressurized oxygen, an oxygen facial helps clear debris from the skin. Like the rain facial, it is a gentle procedure and should not contribute to inflammation. While it focuses on the surface of the skin, an oxygen facial is great for papules and blackheads.

Glow Up Package

The Glow Up Package is a special curated by our master estheticians. It administers three chemical peels and three microneedling sessions over the course of a few months. This cycle is perfect for treating stubborn acne.

Products For Acne Treatment

The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery also has prescription strength products available for purchase. Your master esthetician may recommend these to use at home with or in place of your normal skincare routine. We generally only prescribe topical treatments.

Acne Cleanser & Gel

Our specialized acne cleanser and gel help prevent and treat acne breakouts. They are generally considered a supplement to procedures or products. It also may treat mild acne. The cleanser and gel both contain components commonly used to treat acne such as salicylic acid.

Tretinoin & Retinoids

Tretinoin is a type of retinol that reduces excess sebum and oil on the skin. This limits the acne that can form and also helps shed away extra skin. Together, this is the ultimate cause of acne and thus tretinoin prevents its formation. However, while tretinoin and retinoids can reduce acne breakouts, you may still need to address other causes to prevent it once tretinoin use stops

Additional Skincare

The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery also sometimes recommends products from our cosmetic skincare to patients undergoing acne treatment. Examples include:

• Ferulic acid serum
• Morning after mask
• Snail mucus

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Better To See A Dermatologist Or Esthetician For Acne?

It depends. Many patients will see both, but there are limitations to each provider. For people who have struggled with cystic acne for years and several treatment options have not worked, it may be better to see a dermatologist that prescribes can isotretinoin, a strong, oral acne medication.

However, if you beginning your journey with acne and it is not extremely severe, a master esthetician can help you. If during your consultation your master esthetician believes you should see a dermatologist, they will tell you. Our master estheticians make recommendations that are best for our patients and not perform treatments that may not be right for that patient.

Can You Address Hormonal Acne?

Yes, though, it is unlikely you will see a complete cessation in acne until you have adequately treated or moved through the hormonal problem or period causing the acne. However, treatment can help relieve inflammation, reduce breakout severity and frequency, and make it easier to manage.

What Else Can I Do To Treat My Acne?

While studies into lifestyle changes or other acne treatments still need to happen, there are a few things you can do that may help treat your acne. Some at-home or lifestyle treatments you can do to help your acne include:

• Practice a good skincare routine
• Use non-comedogenic products
• Eat well
• Avoid smoking
• Always wear sunscreen
• Stay hydrated
• Practice stress reduction techniques

Do You Treat Body Acne?

Yes, our master estheticians can treat body acne. Body acne often differs from facial acne in cause and type. However, pustules, papules, whiteheads, and blackheads can all occur on the body occasionally.

How Much Is Professional Acne Treatment In Bellevue?

The exact cost of your acne treatment plan will depend on the recommended products and services. The initial skin evaluation is free of charge and has no obligations. You can view our price list or use Price Simulator to see estimates on individual and combined procedure pricing.

The Best Acne Treatment By Master Estheticians At The Gallery Of Cosmetic Surgery

The master estheticians at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery have personal and professional experience with treating all types of acne. Under the supervision of plastic surgeons, they administer various procedures and products to treat acne. Our master estheticians offer free consultations and will create a customized acne treatment plan. The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery offers the best acne treatment Bellevue and Kirkland provides.

Located just north of Seattle, The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery is a leading plastic surgery and medical spa clinic. Seeing a diverse set of patients from different backgrounds and varying concerns, our providers have decades of experience providing care that bridges the gap between medical and cosmetic treatments.

To learn more and schedule a consultation, call us at 425-775-3561. You can also reach out online via chat, contact form, or Price Simulator.