Skin Concerns
Acne Treatment in Brickell, Miami
Acne is not a hygiene problem; it is a follicle problem driven by oil, dead-cell buildup, bacteria and inflammation, and in Miami's humidity it tends to linger well past the teenage years. Our approach treats the cause with prescription-strength care when appropriate, clears congestion in the treatment room, and reduces the redness and dark marks acne leaves behind. Starting early also lowers the chance of scarring.
- Session time: Varies by treatment
- Downtime: None to a few days, by treatment
- Sessions typically needed: Facials every 3–4 weeks; peels 4–6
$50 deposit, applied to your treatment
- ★ Google 4.9 (218)
- Licensed medical providers
- Medical director oversight
- Consultation before every treatment
The Concern
Understanding acne
How a breakout forms. Oil (sebum) and dead skin cells plug the follicle → a comedone forms (blackhead if open, whitehead if closed) → Cutibacterium acnes bacteria multiply in the plug → inflammation turns it into a red bump (papule), a pus-filled spot (pustule) or a deep, painful nodule or cyst.
What drives it. Hormonal shifts (puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, PCOS, midlife in women), genetics, certain medications (corticosteroids, some hormones, lithium), friction and occlusion (helmets, masks, tight collars), heavy or comedogenic products, and possibly high-glycemic diets. Stress and humidity do not cause acne but can worsen it. Harsh scrubbing makes it worse, not better.
Types we commonly see in Brickell. Comedonal (clogged pores, "bumpy" forehead), inflammatory (red papules/pustules), hormonal (jawline and chin flares around the cycle), "maskne"/friction acne, and body acne (back, chest). Severe nodulocystic acne is referred for isotretinoin discussion where indicated.
Marks vs scars. Flat pink or brown marks after a pimple are post-inflammatory erythema/hyperpigmentation and usually fade with treatment; true scars are textural (pits, rolling depressions) and are covered on the Acne Scars page.
Treatment Options
How we treat it
1. Prescription topicals (and orals where appropriate) — the backbone
- What it does for this concern
- When appropriate, prescribed by a licensed provider after consultation. Guideline-supported options include topical retinoids (e.g., tretinoin, adapalene) to unclog pores and reduce inflammation; benzoyl peroxide against bacteria; azelaic acid for inflammation and dark marks; topical antibiotics in combination; and, for moderate-to-severe inflammatory acne, short courses of oral antibiotics or hormonal therapies discussed with the provider. Severe acne may warrant referral for isotretinoin.
- Sessions
- Timeline: 6–12 weeks for clear change; a brief "purge" is possible with retinoids.
- Downtime
- None; dryness and peeling are managed by adjusting strength and frequency.
- Who it suits
- Nearly all active acne; essential for inflammatory and hormonal patterns.
2. Medical facials with extractions (acne protocol)
- What it does for this concern
- Provider-designed facials with enzyme or acid exfoliation, steam-free decongestion, manual extraction of comedones, anti-inflammatory masks and non-comedogenic hydration. Designed to clear congestion quickly and reduce the number of lesions that could become inflamed.
- Sessions
- Every 3–4 weeks during active phases, then monthly.
- Downtime
- Pinkness for a few hours; extracted spots may look flushed for a day.
- Who it suits
- Comedonal and mild inflammatory acne; patients who need congestion cleared while prescriptions take effect.
3. Chemical peels (salicylic, mandelic, modified Jessner's, retinol-based)
- What it does for this concern
- Salicylic acid dissolves oil inside pores; mandelic and lactic acids exfoliate gently and help dark marks; combination peels are stepped up over a series. Designed to reduce comedones, oiliness and PIH.
- Sessions
- Series of 4–6, every 2–4 weeks.
- Downtime
- 1–3 days of mild flaking; stronger peels 3–5 days.
- Who it suits
- Comedonal acne, oily skin, acne with dark marks; deeper skin tones with buffered superficial peels.
4. HydraFacial (clarifying protocol)
- What it does for this concern
- Vortex cleansing, a gentle salicylic/glycolic peel step, gentle suction extraction and infusion of calming, non-comedogenic serums. Designed for congestion, blackheads and oiliness with zero downtime.
- Sessions
- Monthly; can alternate with medical facials.
- Downtime
- None.
- Who it suits
- Congested, oily, blackhead-prone skin; patients who want a lunchtime option; not used over cystic flares.
5. IPL Lumecca and Laser Genesis — for redness and post-acne marks
- What it does for this concern
- IPL targets the red (vascular) marks and blotchy redness left by inflammatory acne; Laser Genesis gently heats the dermis to calm redness, oil and inflammation over a series. Neither replaces prescriptions for active acne; they reduce the "angry" look and help marks fade faster.
- Sessions
- IPL 2–3; Laser Genesis 4–6.
- Downtime
- IPL hours of redness; Laser Genesis none.
- Who it suits
- IPL for lighter, untanned skin with red marks; Laser Genesis for most tones and sensitive skin.
6. Laser hair removal (supporting) — for breakouts linked to shaving or ingrown hairs
- What it does for this concern
- For beard-area or body "acne" that is actually folliculitis or ingrown hairs, reducing hair reduces the trigger.
Your Visit
What to expect
- Consultation: acne type and severity, triggers, current products, hormonal history, prior treatments, scarring risk; photos.
- Plan: a home routine (cleanser, treatment, non-comedogenic moisturizer, SPF) plus a treatment-room schedule.
- During visits: Extractions can be briefly uncomfortable; peels tingle.
- After: Pinkness for hours; mild dryness with prescriptions in the first weeks.
Aftercare
Aftercare basics
No picking; non-comedogenic, fragrance-free products; oil-free SPF daily; wash after sweating (gym, humidity); change pillowcases and clean phone screens; avoid adding new actives without checking; keep retinoid and benzoyl peroxide schedules as instructed.
Results
Results timeline
- Facials/HydraFacial: clearer, less congested skin within days.
- Prescriptions: fewer new breakouts at 6–8 weeks, clearer skin by 12 weeks; maintenance continues.
- Marks: red marks improve over 1–3 months with IPL/Laser Genesis; brown marks over 2–6 months.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Pricing: Pricing confirmed at consultation
Adult acne is common, especially in women, and is often hormonal (jawline, chin) or triggered by products, friction or stress. A provider-led plan can address it at any age.
Facials clear congestion and reduce inflammation, but for inflammatory or hormonal acne a prescription routine is usually needed to prevent new breakouts.
Some patients see a temporary increase in small breakouts in the first 2–6 weeks as clogged pores clear. Your provider adjusts strength and frequency to keep it manageable.
Yes — back and chest acne are treated with prescriptions, body peels and, when appropriate, light-based care for marks.
Superficial, buffered peels (mandelic, lactic, low-strength salicylic) are commonly used with care to reduce the risk of dark marks. Strong peels are avoided.
Resurfacing lasers, RF microneedling and microneedling are generally postponed until active acne is controlled, to avoid spreading inflammation and to reduce scarring risk.
Congestion improves within days of a facial; prescriptions typically need 6–12 weeks. Individual results vary.
Evidence is mixed; some patients notice flares with high-glycemic foods or certain dairy. We do not require diet changes but discuss them if a pattern is clear.
For severe or resistant acne, a provider may discuss referral or management for isotretinoin; many in-office procedures are postponed during and for a period after the course.
Keep Exploring
Related pages
- Skin rejuvenation guide
- Facials
- Chemical Peels
- HydraFacial
- IPL
- Laser Genesis
- Laser Hair Removal
- Acne Scars & Texture
- Pigmentation
- Enlarged Pores & Oily Skin
- Skin Concerns
- Rosacea
- Pigmentation
- Acne Scars & Texture
- Stretch Marks
- Fine Lines & Wrinkles
- Loose Skin
- Enlarged Pores & Oily Skin
- Dark Circles Under the Eyes
- Double Chin
- Dull & Dehydrated Skin
- All Skin Concerns
- Monday – Friday
- 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday
- By appointment only
- Sunday
- Closed