What is Acne Treatment?
You’d be surprised how many people come into our office after years of breakouts and say, “I’ve never tried an acne treatment.” They want to get rid of their acne, and they think they’ve tried everything, but for some reason an acne treatment falls under the radar.
The “everything” they’ve tried? Usually a prescription. Most people start at a dermatologist, get handed oral antibiotics, Tretinoin or Retin-A, maybe Epiduo or Clindamycin, and are told to wait it out. Unfortunately, those people usually have to wait a long time to see results.
Truth is, acne is more complicated than that. It has multiple causes and therefore requires a multifaceted treatment.
Unfortunately, a clinical facial like our acne treatment often gets overlooked.
The treatment itself is centered around manual extractions, which might sound a little intimidating at first—but extractions are often the missing piece in clearing chronic acne. They’re also not the only thing your routine might be missing.
So let’s take a look at why you should try an acne treatment—and the lifestyle shifts that can help you stop waiting and start seeing real results.
What is an Acne Treatment?
An acne treatment is a clinical facial treatment.
In our practice, it does not include super luxurious steps like steam, massage and mask. The focus is on extractions (i.e. cleaning out your clogged pores).
Most spas and med spas tend to focus on facials, lashes, lasers, or hair removal —and I get it. Extractions aren’t exactly relaxing. If you’re headed to a spa, you’re probably expecting to be pampered, not have your pimples popped.
But if your goal is to actually get rid of acne, extractions are one of the most effective ways to do it. They clear your skin faster and help prevent new breakouts from forming.
At Atlanta Acne Specialists in Decatur & Sandy Springs, GA, extractions are our passion! Not only do we love doing them, we’re really good at it.
When we talk to clients about the power of extractions, the most common response is, “Wait—I thought I wasn’t supposed to pop my pimples?” And while that’s true at home, getting them professionally extracted is a different story entirely. Here’s why.
Why Can We Pop Your Pimples (But You Shouldn't)?
Let’s be clear: we’re not just squeezing pimples for fun. There’s a reason it’s okay for us to do it—and not for you.
- We properly prep your skin by cleansing and exfoliating. We wear gloves, use gauze to protect your skin, and never use our bare hands or fingernails.
- Each breakout gets careful attention for just a few seconds using a specific, gentle technique. We're not pressing too hard or scraping your skin.
- Most importantly, we focus on getting the entire impaction out. If any of the trapped oil or skin cells are left behind, the breakout is likely to come right back.
When done correctly, extractions help clear your pores, speed up the healing process, and smooth your overall complexion—without scarring.
Why Extractions Matter
Extractions aren’t exactly a day at the spa—but they’re effective.
When your pores are clogged with a buildup of dead skin cells and oil, no amount of skincare can get through. You have to clear out the gunk before you treat your skin.
By physically removing what’s stuck in the pores, we create space for your skin to heal and for your products to actually work. It’s one of the fastest ways to reduce inflammation, prevent future breakouts, and start seeing real results.
Are extractions required? No. But they’ll likely cut your clearing time in half compared to using products alone.
Also, if you aren’t getting regular acne treatments, you’ll need to be extra diligent about other aspects of acne prevention—like your diet, lifestyle, and makeup—because those triggers matter, too.
Lifestyle Changes
Many dermatologists overlook the role lifestyle plays in your breakouts. They hand you a prescription and send you on your way—without ever addressing how your diet, skincare routine, or makeup might be contributing to the problem.
At Atlanta Acne Specialists, we use two main active products: Mandelic Serum and Acne Gel. They’re designed to target both surface congestion and deeper breakouts. But even these tried-and-tested products won’t work if you don’t make changes to your lifestyle.
Acne is multifaceted, so the best way to treat it is from all angles.
Skincare, makeup, and diet are three elements that we ask about at Atlanta Acne Specialists. Mostly because they are powerful contributors to chronic acne.
For example, say you are consistent with your skincare, but the products you’re using contain pore-clogging ingredients. You likely won’t see much improvement.
Or maybe you switch to our recommended routine (which is free of pore-clogging ingredients) but continue using makeup that isn’t. Even one pore-clogging ingredient can undo all the progress our products are making to clear your skin.
To get real, lasting results, you have to remove all your acne triggers—especially if you don’t want to wait months (or years) for a prescription to maybe work.
What Else is Included in an Acne Treatment?
Our acne treatment doesn’t stop at extractions. We also use high frequency and an LED light panel to help your skin heal and recover.
The high frequency treatment uses a glass wand that emits a gentle electrical current rich in oxygen. We place a piece of gauze over your face to create a smooth glide, then use the wand to pass over the skin.
The oxygen it delivers helps kill acne-causing bacteria (specifically p. acnes and c. acnes), reduces inflammation, and speeds up healing. It’s totally painless—and surprisingly relaxing.
Then, we move onto LED light therapy.
The LED light panel emits wavelengths of light designed to target acne. Blue light kills bacteria, red light reduces inflammation, and both help promote faster healing and clearer skin. It’s a powerful add-on that works under the surface, where topical products can’t always reach.
If there’s time, we might also finish with a soothing mask or ice globes to calm the skin and reduce any lingering redness.
Let Us Pop Your Pimples (The Right Way)
At Atlanta Acne Specialists, we give you all the information you need to take a multifaceted approach to skincare—and our acne treatment is a crucial part of that.
When you combine our acne treatment with the right diet and small shifts to your skincare and makeup routines, you can expect results in weeks, not months. You don’t have to wait forever for your acne medications to kick in. Take a proactive approach and schedule your consultation today.
Helping people get better skin is what we do every day. It’s truly our passion. We never judge you or your skin—we just want to help. If you’re ready to learn more or want to work with us to heal your skin, we’d love to hear from you
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