Breakouts are a symptom, not a diagnosis. Hormonal acne, cystic acne and ordinary congestion can look similar in the mirror and all need something different on the table, so the first thing that happens here is working out which one you have. What follows is built from that rather than from a fixed protocol.
Acne & clarifying treatments
Four services covering the face, the back and the skin under a beard.
Start with what is happening
Diane will confirm the right treatment at your consultation, but this is roughly where people land.
- I am breaking out and it is not settlingAcne Treatment
- My teenager is breaking outTeen Acne Facial, ages 19 and under
- It is on my back, not my faceBack Acne Treatment
- My skin is irritated under my beardBeard Deep Exfoliation & Hydration
- I mostly have blackheads and oilPore Control Treatment
- The breakouts stopped but the marks stayedA chemical peel series
- I am in or past cancer treatmentAdapted care, see Oncology Care
Why acne comes back
Clearing what is on your face today is the easy half. Acne returns when the conditions that caused it are still in place, which is usually some mix of oil production, a barrier that has been stripped by aggressive products, and a routine that is fighting the skin rather than supporting it.
So treatment here runs on two tracks at once. In the room, congestion is cleared and inflammation is brought down. Outside it, you get specific guidance on what to use and what to stop using, because the weeks between appointments are where most of the result is won or lost.
Acne Treatment
The corrective service for active breakouts. After assessing what is driving the acne, whether hormonal, cystic or comedonal, Diane works through controlled exfoliation, extractions where they will help, and antibacterial and anti inflammatory formulations chosen for your skin. Oil regulation and barrier repair happen in the same visit, because that is what keeps the next flare up smaller.
Teen Acne Facial (Ages 19 and under)
Built for skin reacting to hormonal change rather than skin that has been breaking out for a decade. Exfoliation and cleansing are kept age appropriate so pores clear without stripping a barrier that is still developing, and a good part of the hour goes on showing a teenager what to actually do at home. Most have been handed products by the internet with nobody to explain the order.
Back Acne Treatment
The back is harder to treat than the face and much harder to reach yourself. Sweat, friction from clothing and heavier oil production make congestion there stubborn. This is a deep cleanse, controlled exfoliation and acne correcting formulations across the whole back, with extractions where they are safe to perform, aimed at clearing what is there and leaving the area less prone to the next round.
Beard Deep Exfoliation & Hydration Treatment
Skin under a beard collects trapped debris and dryness, and shaving or grooming keeps irritating it, which is where ingrown hairs come from. This treatment exfoliates beneath the hair to clear that buildup and improve circulation, then conditions the skin underneath to calm irritation and support the follicle. The beard ends up softer, and the skin under it stops being the problem.
Not sure where to start?
Book a consultation and bring the products you are using now. Half the answer is usually in that bag.
Book An AppointmentLooking for facials, peels or waxing? See the full service list.
Common questions
How many treatments will I need?
Acne responds to consistency rather than to one appointment, so plan on a series rather than a single visit. Diane will tell you at the consultation roughly how many she expects and why, and if your skin responds faster than that she will say so rather than keep you booked in.
Will you do extractions?
Where they will help and where they are safe to do. Forcing a lesion that is not ready damages the skin around it and can leave a mark that outlasts the breakout, so some things are better treated and left alone. Expect mild redness afterwards that usually settles the same day or the next.
Is this for teenagers or adults?
Both, on different treatments. The Teen Acne Facial is for ages 19 and under and is built around skin that is still developing. Adult acne, which is often hormonal and sits along the jaw and chin, is treated with the standard Acne Treatment.
What about the marks left behind?
Those are a separate job from the acne itself, and they are treated once the breakouts are under control rather than at the same time. Dark marks generally respond to a peel series or brightening work, while textured scarring is a different conversation. Diane will tell you honestly which one you are looking at.
Should I be seeing a dermatologist instead?
Sometimes, and she will say so. Severe cystic or scarring acne often needs prescription medication, which an aesthetician cannot provide. Treatments here work alongside that care rather than in place of it, so if you are on a prescription already, bring the name of it to your appointment.
Can I have a treatment during cancer treatment?
Yes. Diane is a certified Oncology Aesthetician Therapist and a Preferred Practitioner for the Society for Oncology Esthetics. Treatments are adapted for your situation and medical clearance may be required.
Where are you located?
43 West Main Street, Lower Level, Avon, CT 06001. The entrance is behind the building. Head down to the lower level and look for the signs.
Acne care at CleanSkin uses medical grade formulations, including SkinCeuticals, alongside clean and organic lines such as FarmHouse Fresh. If breakouts have left marks or uneven tone behind, the chemical peel and brightening services are the usual next step once the skin has settled.
Serving Avon, Farmington, Simsbury, Canton, West Hartford, Glastonbury and the surrounding Hartford County towns.