Acne is one of the most common and most mismanaged skin concerns we see. At SkinArt Aesthetics, our acne facial treatments are built on Face Reality–informed protocols — a clinical, methodical approach to acne that goes beyond extractions and addresses the underlying factors driving your breakouts. The goal is not to clear your skin for a week. The goal is to help your skin stay clearer for good.
Acne Facial Options
The Clear Skin Detox Most Popular for Acne
A corrective acne-focused treatment built around professional acne protocols to reduce congestion, calm active inflammation, and support long-term skin clarity. Products and techniques are selected specifically for acne-prone skin — not adapted from a standard facial menu.
The Deep Pore Refinement
An intensive treatment focused on deep cleansing, advanced extractions, and pore refinement. Recommended when congestion and blackheads are the primary concern alongside breakout-prone skin.
BioRePeel® for Acne-Prone Skin
BioRePeel’s biostimulating formula can be an effective addition to an acne treatment plan — helping to reduce congestion, improve texture, and address post-acne discoloration with minimal downtime. Suitable year-round, including summer months when heavier peels are not ideal.
The Face Reality Approach to Acne
Dina Telesh holds an advanced certification in Face Reality acne protocols — one of the most clinically rigorous acne training programs available to licensed estheticians. Face Reality takes a systematic, evidence-based approach to understanding what is driving a client’s acne before recommending any products or treatments.
This means the protocol used on your skin is based on your specific acne type, skin sensitivity, hormonal patterns, homecare habits, and lifestyle — not a standard acne facial that every client receives the same way.
It also means the products recommended for your homecare routine between appointments are chosen with the same care. The products you use at home are as important as what happens in the treatment room, and we treat them that way.
Who Should Consider an Acne Facial?
Professional acne treatments may be a good fit if you:
- Experience regular breakouts that over-the-counter products haven’t resolved
- Have combination skin with active congestion and pores that refill quickly after extractions
- Are dealing with hormonal breakouts, particularly around the jaw, chin, or cheeks
- Have post-acne marks or discoloration you want to address alongside active breakouts
- Feel overwhelmed by conflicting product advice and want a clear, guided plan
If your acne is severe, cystic, or has not responded to esthetic care, we may recommend a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist alongside professional facials. Estheticians support skin health and manage surface-level congestion — medical acne conditions benefit from a combined approach.
What to Expect During Your Acne Facial
Your appointment begins with a thorough skin assessment and a conversation about your breakout history, current products, diet patterns, and lifestyle factors that can influence acne. From there, your treatment is built specifically around what your skin is doing right now.
A typical acne facial session may include:
- Double cleanse to remove surface buildup and prep the skin
- Targeted enzyme or chemical exfoliation appropriate for acne-prone skin
- Steam and softening to prepare congested pores
- Professional manual extractions with careful technique to minimize trauma
- Decongesting or calming mask to reduce inflammation after extractions
- Targeted serum application for acne, oil control, or post-inflammatory support
- SPF and homecare guidance to finish
Every step is paced carefully — acne-prone skin is often more reactive than it appears, and rushing any part of the process can make breakouts temporarily worse rather than better.
How Many Sessions Are Recommended?
Consistent improvement in acne-prone skin typically requires a series of treatments, not a single facial. For clients with moderate to frequent breakouts, appointments every 2–4 weeks are often recommended in the early phase of a treatment plan. As the skin stabilizes, the interval is typically extended.
Most clients start to notice meaningful improvement after 3–6 consistent sessions combined with a proper homecare routine. We set realistic expectations at your consultation based on your specific acne pattern.
How to Prepare
- Come with clean skin and no heavy makeup
- Bring or list all products currently in your routine — this helps us identify potential triggers
- Let us know about any medications, including oral contraceptives, which can influence acne patterns
- Do not squeeze or pick at active breakouts before your appointment
Aftercare
After an acne facial, skin may be temporarily flushed or more sensitive, particularly following extractions. In the 24–48 hours after your treatment:
- Avoid touching your face unnecessarily
- Do not apply heavy makeup or pore-clogging products
- Wear a non-comedogenic SPF daily
- Avoid heat, sweating, and saunas for 24 hours
- Stick to the simplified homecare routine recommended after your appointment
A small number of clients experience a brief purging period early in a treatment plan — we’ll explain what to expect and how to manage it at your consultation. Full aftercare guidance is on our Post Care page.
Why SkinArt Aesthetics for Acne Treatment in Huntingdon Valley
Dina Telesh is an ASCP member and holds an advanced certification in Face Reality acne protocols, one of the most thorough acne training programs in the professional esthetics industry. She takes a systematic approach to understanding the root factors behind each client’s breakouts before recommending any product or treatment — which is why the results at SkinArt tend to outlast a typical facial.
SkinArt Aesthetics is located at 2337 Philmont Avenue, Suite 203D, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006. We see clients from Lower Moreland, Bryn Athyn, Abington, Willow Grove, Southampton, Feasterville-Trevose, Northeast Philadelphia, and throughout Bucks and Montgomery County.
Related reading: Why Blackheads Keep Coming Back · Why Acne Gets Worse in Summer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a professional acne facial better than an at-home routine?
A professional acne facial and a consistent at-home routine work together — neither replaces the other. In-studio treatments allow for professional extractions, stronger exfoliation, and product-level access that isn’t available over the counter. Your homecare routine maintains and extends those results between appointments. The most effective approach combines both.
Will my skin break out more after an acne facial?
Some clients experience a brief purging period in the first few weeks of a new acne treatment plan — this can happen as congestion already forming beneath the surface comes to the surface more quickly. This is temporary and typically resolves as the treatment plan progresses. We’ll discuss what to expect at your first appointment so you’re not caught off guard.
Can I get an acne facial if I’m on prescription acne medication?
It depends on the medication. Some prescriptions, particularly retinoids and isotretinoin (Accutane), require adjustments to or temporary pauses in certain professional treatments. Please share your current medications at your consultation — we may recommend coordinating with your prescribing provider before beginning.
How is your acne facial different from a regular facial?
A standard facial is designed for general skin maintenance and may not be appropriate for actively breaking-out skin. Our acne-specific treatments use products and protocols formulated specifically for acne-prone skin, with careful attention to ingredients that won’t aggravate inflammation. The approach, products, and homecare guidance are all tailored to acne management, not general wellness.
Do you treat hormonal acne?
Professional facials can support the management of hormonal acne by keeping pores clear, reducing inflammation, and improving the skin’s overall resilience. However, hormonal acne driven by internal imbalances is best addressed in partnership with a physician or dermatologist who can assess and treat the hormonal component directly. We’re happy to complement medical treatment with appropriate esthetic care.
Ready to stop guessing and start clearing?
Book a Skin Consultation at SkinArt Aesthetics. We’ll assess your acne type, talk through your history, and build a realistic treatment plan — no pressure, just a plan.