Acne Treatment
The right treatment for the acne you actually have
Which treatment fits your breakout?
Acne is not one condition, and treating it like one is how people end up frustrated. Match what you are seeing in the mirror to the path below, or send us a photo and let our team match it for you.
“A painful cyst that showed up at the worst time”
Cortisone shot
A quick injection into the blemish calms the inflammation from inside. Most cysts flatten within 72 hours, which is why this is our most-booked acne visit before events.
Cortisone shots →“Regular breakouts, clogged pores, congestion”
Acne Clarifying Facial
A deep-cleansing facial built around extractions and calming the skin, done by our medical team. Most people book it as a recurring reset.
Facials →“Breakouts plus rough texture or lingering marks”
VI Peel
A medical-grade chemical peel that resurfaces over about a week, targeting active acne and the uneven tone it leaves behind.
VI Peels →“Scars left over after the acne cleared”
Acne scar treatment
Microneedling and peel protocols that rebuild smoother texture over a series of visits. A different job than treating active acne, with its own page.
Acne scar treatments →“Red or dark spots where blemishes used to be”
IPL photofacial
Light-based treatment that targets the redness and pigment acne leaves behind once the breakouts themselves are under control.
IPL photofacial →Types of acne we treat
Comedonal acne
Blackheads and whiteheads from clogged pores, usually without much redness. Responds well to professional extractions and peels.
Inflammatory acne
Red, tender bumps and pustules. Facials calm active congestion, and peels help prevent the next round.
Cystic acne
Deep, painful bumps under the skin that will not come to a head and love to linger. This is what cortisone shots exist for.
Adult and hormonal-pattern acne
Breakouts that show up along the jawline and chin, often cyclical. Usually managed with a combination of the treatments above rather than any single one.
Not sure which one you have?
Upload a photo to your account and our dermatologist-led team will review it before you come in, so you are booked for the right treatment the first time.
How Much Does Acne Treatment Cost?
FAQ
Click on a question to see more
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How fast can you treat a cystic breakout?
A cortisone shot is the fastest option we offer: a quick injection into the blemish, and most cysts flatten within 72 hours. See our cortisone shot page for details and booking.
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Which acne treatment should I start with?
It depends on the pattern. A single painful cyst points to a cortisone shot. Ongoing congestion and clogged pores point to a clarifying facial. Texture and lingering marks point to a peel. If you are not sure, upload a photo to your account and our team will point you to the right starting place.
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Do you treat acne scars too?
Yes. Scars are treated differently than active acne, with microneedling and peel protocols over a series of visits. That work has its own page: acne scar treatments.
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Do you treat teen acne?
Yes. Teens are welcome for facials and, when a parent or guardian is involved, for cortisone shots on painful cysts. Our medical team adjusts the approach for younger skin.
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How much does acne treatment cost?
It varies by treatment. Current pricing for the most common starting points is shown in the booking section above, and each treatment page shows its own pricing.
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Do I need a consultation first?
No consultation is required to book. If you want guidance first, upload a photo to your account and our dermatologist-led team will review it before your visit, so you walk into the right treatment.
Cared for by our 13-person Los Angeles medical team. Meet your provider →
Visit us near you in West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Calabasas
In-person, physician-supervised care at all three Cienega Medical clinics.
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