Our Strategy For Managing & Preventing Acne
We DO NOT recommend the medical model’s approach of antibiotics, diuretics, or isotretinoin (Acutane) unless there is an immediate need for the suppression of inflammation. The reasons for taking any of these prescriptions might be to minimize the stress on the skin if there is a likelihood of scarring. But, as mentioned throughout this website, ACNE IS NOT CURABLE so taking antibiotics or diuretics for years at a time just doesn’t measure up to good strategy in the long run.
The 3 big obstacles to get clear skin
Acne can’t be cured. Even Acutane is only 40% effective as a lasting solution. Which means 60% of clients who take Acutane will struggle with acne after taking that Rx.
Acne is a chronic skin condition. Acne often needs to be managed for years at a time and for some of us, it is simply the skin we’ve been given and will need to be managed throughout our lives.
3. Acne is adaptable. Even the most successful skincare routine will likely lose its effectiveness over time if it doesn’t manage to prevent adaptation to the products being used. Skincare isn’t just using the appropriate products, it is also a successful process of skincare that is required.
Amazingly, even against these obstacles, acne can be successfully managed with lasting results. When you know the obstacles, you are better prepared to find lasting solutions!
Our experience, both personally and professionally, is that acne can be successfully treated without harsh prescriptions (retinoids, isotretinoins, antibiotics), lasers, abrasive chemical peels, microdermabrasions, or an unending search for the next miracle-in-a-bottle.
Though acne isn't cured with a one-size-fits-all approach, The Acne Lab works with clients of any age, every skin type & tone, any severity level (mild-severe) for both inflamed and non-inflamed acne, and with clients near & far (our furthest is Pakistan and Alaska)!
The reality is that acne can be successfully prevented and managed 95% of the time with skincare strategies that change over time to both promote tolerance to the products and to also prevent adaptation to the products being used.
It takes at least 6-8 months for the majority of our clients to get skin dependably clear, some take longer and some are pleasantly surprised it didn’t take that long.
How it all starts at The Acne Lab…
It begins with a 30-minute complimentary Acne Consultation appointment. One of our Skin Specialists will spend time with you reviewing a questionnaire that is filled out online. We then evaluate our client’s skin to determine the type of acne, the severity of acne, along with assessing dryness, potential sensitivities, or other imbalances in the skin.
Next, we review the big picture of what is often required to get skin clear which includes an explanation of how acne works, the obstacles that have to be overcome to get skin clear, a review of the most successful strategies and timeline to get the best results, and the cost of the program.
If you decide that you want to work with us, we would make recommendations for products, including a cleanser, toner, daily moisturizer, and evening moisturizer customized to their particular needs (setting up the proper toolbox of skincare products) and direct them to use these products consistently over a 3 week period (setting up a proper process of skincare habits). The Acne Consultation itself is complimentary and the products (which will last for 2.5-3 months with proper use) vary due to individual skin needs. Total base product cost is between $85 - $200. *Please note that we do not provide an Acne Treatment during the Consultation.
Next, we would schedule the Acne Step 2 which we encourage within 3 weeks of the Acne Consultation. Here is where the process becomes specifically customized to each unique client’s needs related to their particular type of acne, the severity of their acne, their skin’s particular sensitivities. This appointment reviews the client’s history with skincare and prescriptions, allergies, lifestyle & habits. We give an acne facial at this appointment. This helps us to learn more about how each client’s skin will likely respond to additional home care strategies, and we give another layer of information that each client needs to be successful. They will also receive their next level of product, which introduces the use of active acne meds for their skin type. Acne Step 3 is the same appointment as Acne Step 2, with the exception of the product. During Acne Step 3 you will be serum tested which allows your Skin Specialist to provide the proper next level of product. These appointments are both about an hour and are $125 plus cost of the next step recommended products which vary between $22 - $125.
Acne Steps 4 is $125 and comes with an acne facial, education, and directions for home-care strategies, but at this point, each client will begin to purchase the few product changes ($22 - $150) on their own as it becomes a more specialized process that is unique for each client and we can no longer predict what those Steps will need in regard to home care changes.
From this point there are often 2-5 more appointments that are scheduled 3 weeks apart (depending on clients needs). These services may include an Acne Facial, a Body Treatment or an Acne Check-In. Some clients will need more. A few find they needed less, but nearly all clients will need a total of 8-10 appointments to “graduate” with clear skin.
This process is very successful for our clients and their families, in that we impart a lot of knowledge and experience that can be applied beyond their time with us.
