When a pimple flares up before a big meeting or leaves a dark acne mark that won’t fade, you need fast, effective treatments that don’t damage your skin. As one of the most common chronic skin conditions in the United States, adult acne affects nearly 50 million people. If you’re one of these people, you’ve likely spent hours of your life and maybe hundreds of dollars trying to find the best over-the-counter acne treatment. While there is no miracle cure, professional acne treatments tailored to your skin type can deliver faster, longer-lasting results.
Read on to learn why over-the-counter acne products often fall short, and how medical-grade skincare and laser skin treatments from the best med spa in Marina del Rey can help you reduce breakouts and prevent adult acne over time.
What Causes Adult Acne?
Acne develops when pores become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, which is especially common in acne-prone skin. Several factors play a role, including:
- Hormonal changes
- Acne-causing bacteria
- How your skincare routine supports or stresses the skin
Certain skincare products can also irritate the skin or trap oil, which can worsen adult acne breakouts even when used in small amounts. Sun exposure and sun damage may also trigger breakouts and dark spots by increasing oil production and inflammation.
Acne can range from mild breakouts to moderate or deeper inflammatory acne, which is why understanding the different types of acne matters. Treatments focus on unclogging pores and reducing inflammation, and guidance from a medical doctor with a dermatology focus, who can help tailor care that protects the skin without causing further irritation.
Why Over-the-Counter Acne Products Often Fall Short
Over-the-counter acne products are usually the first option people try when dealing with adult acne breakouts. While many over-the-counter products contain helpful ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, they are often formulated for a one-size-fits-all approach that isn’t right for most people.
Using too many products at once, applying them too often, or choosing the strongest option can leave skin tight, irritated, and flaky, which can actually trigger more breakouts. There is also a mismatch between the conditions OTC products are designed to treat and the conditions many people face. These products tend to work best for mild acne, while deeper, painful, or cystic breakouts usually need prescription-strength care to get inflammation under control.
What are the Best Acne Treatments in Marina del Rey?
When acne keeps coming back, professional acne treatments can address several causes of breakouts at the same time, while protecting your delicate skin and preventing future breakouts. Professional acne treatments usually include personalized, medical-grade formulations of:
- Topical retinoids to keep pores clear
- Benzoyl peroxide to reduce acne-causing bacteria
- Azelaic acid to calm redness and uneven tone
- Topical antibiotics, when necessary
In-office treatment options like chemical peels and laser skin resurfacing can also help by clearing clogged pores, smoothing rough texture, and reducing the marks acne leaves behind. Professional treatments are more effective when combined, since acne is caused by oil, blocked pores, inflammation, and bacteria rather than by a single factor.
Can Chemical Peels Help with Acne?
A question we are often asked is, “Can chemical peels actually help with acne?”, and the answer may surprise you. Chemical peels are an excellent acne treatment and acne-prevention strategy when your breakouts are caused by clogged pores and uneven skin cell turnover. Chemical peel treatments work by gently removing the outer layers of dead skin, keeping pores clear, reducing oil buildup, and smoothing rough texture.
Laser Skin Rejuvenation as a Modern Approach to Acne Treatment
Laser skin rejuvenation sounds like a quick fix, but these treatments actually work to lower the number of active breakouts by targeting oil glands and acne-causing bacteria before you break out. This is why they work best as an add-on to topical or oral treatments rather than a replacement. Chemical peels are typically done in a series of sessions, often spaced a few weeks apart, and downtime is usually minimal. Common side effects include slight redness that typically resolves within a day or two.
How to Prevent Acne Breakouts
Preventing acne breakouts relies on habits rather than finding a quick fix when you notice the first signs of a flare-up. Keeping pores clear and skin balanced helps reduce the triggers that lead to new blemishes:
- Wash your face twice a day and after heavy sweating with a gentle cleanser to remove oil and buildup without stripping your skin
- Use medical-grade skincare products that are personalized for your specific skin type, and warm water
- Use non-comedogenic makeup to avoid clogging pores
- Avoid over-scrubbing or picking at blemishes, which can worsen inflammation and lead to marks
- Pay attention to patterns like stress, diet changes, or hormonal shifts that may contribute to breakouts
- Add professional treatment like chemical peels and laser skin therapy to your routine
Finding the Best Med Spa in Marina del Rey for Laser Skin Rejuvenation and Professional Acne Treatment
Acne has a way of lingering in both the mirror and your thoughts, especially after you have tried option after option without clear answers. Instead of using harsh chemicals that can make things worse, choose a personalized approach to acne treatment with
Dr. Shawn. Known for his steady, science-based approach, Dr. Shawn combines medical therapies with in-office treatments to address active breakouts while reducing redness and acne scarring.
Ready to get personalized acne treatment from the best med spa in Marina del Rey?
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