Acne Treatment Bellevue & Kirkland

Getting a pimple or breakout is a universal experience. However, exceptionally painful, deep, or near constant acne affects few people. While an occasional tender pimple is completely normal, it can become troublesome if constant. These more severe forms of acne are more likely to scar and are much harder to treat. At Northwest Face & Body, our master estheticians provide the best acne treatment Bellevue and Kirkland offer.

All About Acne

Acne forms due to clogged hair follicles with sebum, oils, and dead skin cells. This process itself is normal and can be mitigated with basic skincare for most people. However, for people who produce excessive sebum or experience acne because of other reasons, basic skincare may not be enough to curb breakouts.

Most people experience their worst acne breakouts during puberty or other similar hormonal spikes such as menopause. Hormonal acne is worsened by testosterone which is present in both males and females. However, those assigned male at birth tend to have worse acne due to this. Women who have elevated androgens or testosterone due to a condition such as PCOS or simply genetics may also have worsened acne.

Still, hormones are not the only factor that makes acne so bad at this time. Several factors contribute and for those who continue to experience acne into adulthood, or see their most severe acne in adulthood, the causes can become more complicated.

What Causes It?

The causes of acne are more complicated than oil or debris on the skin. There are countless factors that can cause or worsen acne. In most cases where acne is cystic and/or severe, there are usually multiple reasons. Some of the factors that can cause acne include:

• Genetics
• Hormonal conditions (such as PCOS)
• Oral contraceptives (starting or stopping them)
• Stress
• Diet
• Smoking
• Menstruation
• Menopause
• Oil-based makeup and cosmetics
• Pregnancy
• Exfoliating too much
• Allergic reactions
• Steroids
• Prescribed testosterone

As part of your professional acne plan, your master esthetician may make certain lifestyle recommendations such as not staying in sweaty clothes, exchanging certain products for others, or making changes to your diet. They take a holistic approach to acne treatment to promote the best results.

Types Of Acne

Acne vulgaris comes in many forms. You’ve likely had at least a few of them throughout your lifetime. As a generalization, acne can be broken down into three categories: inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and cystic.

Inflammatory acne is common during puberty and includes both papules and pustules. These are often raised, red bumps that feel tender to the touch. Papules are unfilled while pustules are filled with pus. Inflammatory acne is considered one of the more troublesome types since it can cause pain and tempts people to try and pop them. This makes them more likely to scar and prone to become infected.

Non-inflammatory acne is a less obvious form of acne that consists of whiteheads and blackheads. Normally, these will not be red and should not hurt to touch. They may cause a small bump. These are both surface types of acne. The difference is that a whitehead is closed and a blackhead is open to the air, which causes the black discoloration.

Cystic acne is less common and a form of acne that almost always requires professional intervention. Consisting of papules and pustules deep within the skin, they cannot adequately be treated on the surface. While the actual lesions are under the skin, you may notice bumps or redness on the skin. Cystic acne is also likely to leave behind scarring.

Free Acne Consultations

The master estheticians at Northwest Face & Body offer free skin consultations to all patients, including those seeking acne treatments. At this consultation, you will discuss your acne concerns, medical history, treatments you have tried, and what you hope to achieve. Your master esthetician may also ask you about aspects of your lifestyle and treatment preferences such as if you want to focus more on products, procedures, or other options. Free acne consultations are thirty minutes long and have no obligation.

Acne Treatment In Bellevue By Master Estheticians

Since acne varies widely, acne treatments do as well. It is possible to use lasers, chemical exfoliation, specialized cleansers, and even oral medications to help treat and improve acne. Below is a wrap-up of what Northwest Face & Body’s master estheticians can offer.

Procedures

Bellevue master estheticians can perform many professional acne treatments. Some may target redness or inflammation while others may focus on clearing the hair follicles. It is likely that a combination of these will provide the best results depending on your type of acne. Possible treatments your master esthetician may recommend include:

• Microneedling
• Radiofrequency Microneedling
• Professional Extractions
• Chemical Peel
• VI Peel
• Glow Up Package
• Intense Pulsed Light
• Oxygen Facial
• Zombie Carbon Laser Peel

Prescription Skincare

Northwest Face & Body also offers prescription skincare products for purchase. Many include prescription strength concentrations of agents known to improve acne such as salicylic acid. Some of the possible skincare recommendations include:

• Acne Kit (contains specialized cleanser and gel)
• Salicylic Acid Cleanser
• Tretinoin
• Other topical retinoids
• Ferulic Acid Serum
• Snail Mucus

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Prevent Acne From Scarring?

Acne scarring is not always preventable. However, you can make it much less likely by not popping your pimples at home. This makes them much more likely to scar because the skin is often damaged in the process. Also, you can prevent acne scarring by treating your acne. This can include applying an astringent agent or pimple patch. It can also refer to the treatments listed above.

Many of the aforementioned procedures like microneedling and chemical peels can treat and reduce the appearance of existing acne scars. Though, preventing acne scars is often easier than treating them after.

Do You Prescribe Oral Acne Medications?

Other than the occasional oral antibiotic, no. If you are interested in isotretinoin, you may want to consider seeing a dermatologist. However, if you are unsure if this is the right path for your acne treatment, our master estheticians can provide better insight based on the state of your acne and skin.

Can You Treat Body Acne?

Yes, our master estheticians can treat acne on all parts of the body. While body acne is more common during puberty, it can afflict adults too. Microneedling, chemical peels, and IPL can all be used on multiple parts of the body safely to address acne. Body acne is common on the back and chest.

What Can I Do At Home To Treat Acne?

Occasional breakouts can often be successfully treated at home. Even if you have more severe acne, some at-home treatments can supplement your professional treatment. Your master esthetician can provide more insight into what at-home treatments may be best for you, but some at-home treatment options for acne include:

• Salicylic acid
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Frequently washing pillowcases and clothing
• Use non-comedogenic cosmetics
• Maintain a good skincare routine
• Take oral anti-inflammatories if extremely inflamed or painful
• Diet changes
• Maintain good hygiene
• Always fully remove makeup
• Practice stress reduction techniques
• Be skeptical of magical or DIY acne treatments

How Much Is Acne Treatment In Bellevue?

Estimating the exact cost of acne treatment with a master esthetician at Northwest Face & Body is difficult to calculate. This is because the recommended procedures and products can vary widely between patients. Thus, this is why we offer an initial free consultation so you can get a good understanding of professional acne treatment and how much it may cost. To see the cost of individual procedures, visit our price list and to add up the cost of multiple procedures, try Price Simulator.

Northwest Face & Body works with outside financing companies including Care Credit to help you find affordable financing for your procedures.

The Best Acne Treatment At Northwest Face & Body

Northwest Face & Body is a leader in professional and medical skincare. Having provided Bellevue, Kirkland, and the Eastside with high quality plastic surgery, master esthetics, and cosmetic injections. Using a combination of beauty and medical techniques, our providers craft customized treatment plans for each patient. Even if our recommendations cannot be administered by us, we will point you in the direction we believe is best for you and your skin. Northwest Face & Body offers the best professional acne treatment Bellevue and Kirkland provide.

Master estheticians are a type of esthetician that underwent additional training and education that focuses on medical treatments. Therefore, our master estheticians have basic medical knowledge and work alongside medical professionals to offer care that combines cosmetics and medicine. They have knowledge and experience to address a number of conditions including melasma, rosacea, and scarring.

To learn more and schedule a free skin consultation with our master estheticians, call us at 425-576-1700. You can also reach out online using chat, contact form, or Price Simulator.