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Acne and Breakouts

SKIN CONCERN

Acne and Breakouts

Acne and Breakouts

Acne and Breakouts

Acne can appear as congestion, occasional inflamed breakouts, persistent acne or deeper painful lesions. Identifying the pattern and severity matters because a treatment that helps surface congestion may not be appropriate for persistent or scarring acne.

Acne can appear as congestion, occasional inflamed breakouts, persistent acne or deeper painful lesions. Identifying the pattern and severity matters because a treatment that helps surface congestion may not be appropriate for persistent or scarring acne.

What best describes your breakouts?

What best describes your breakouts?

Choose the pattern that most closely resembles your concern. Acne can change over time, and professional or medical assessment may be important when it is persistent, painful, worsening or beginning to scar.

Choose the pattern that most closely resembles your concern. Acne can change over time, and professional or medical assessment may be important when it is persistent, painful, worsening or beginning to scar.

Why the acne pattern and severity matter

Why the acne pattern and severity matter

Surface congestion, occasional inflamed breakouts and deep persistent acne are not interchangeable concerns. Procedures may support selected acne pathways, but persistent, painful or scarring acne may require medical treatment rather than cosmetic treatment alone.

Surface congestion, occasional inflamed breakouts and deep persistent acne are not interchangeable concerns. Procedures may support selected acne pathways, but persistent, painful or scarring acne may require medical treatment rather than cosmetic treatment alone.

Treating active acne early may also help reduce the risk of ongoing marks and permanent scarring.

Treatment approaches by acne pattern

Treatment approaches by acne pattern

These are general educational pathways. The most appropriate approach depends on the type and severity of the breakouts, skin characteristics, treatment history, scarring risk and possible underlying factors.

These are general educational pathways. The most appropriate approach depends on the type and severity of the breakouts, skin characteristics, treatment history, scarring risk and possible underlying factors.

CONGESTION, BLACKHEADS OR WHITEHEADS

CONGESTION, BLACKHEADS OR WHITEHEADS

Recommended starting point: • Evidence-based topical acne care • Gentle, non-comedogenic skin and barrier support

Other approaches that may be considered: • Superficial chemical peels • Professional extractions • Hydrodermabrasion • Ongoing maintenance treatment

Congestion is caused by blocked pores rather than deeper inflammation alone. Professional treatments may help clear surface congestion, but an ongoing topical acne plan is usually important for reducing recurrence.

OCCASIONAL INFLAMED BREAKOUTS

OCCASIONAL INFLAMED BREAKOUTS

Recommended starting point: • Evidence-based topical acne care • Identify and reduce aggravating skin or product factors

Other approaches that may be considered: • Superficial chemical peels • Selected LED or light-based treatment • Professional acne treatments • Combination treatment

Occasional mild breakouts may respond to a consistent topical plan. Supportive clinic treatments can be considered, but repeated inflammation may require professional assessment.

PERSISTENT OR RECURRING ACNE

PERSISTENT OR RECURRING ACNE

Recommended starting point: • Professional or medical acne assessment • Prescription or evidence-based topical treatment where appropriate

Other approaches that may be considered: • Medical acne treatment • Superficial chemical peels once suitable • Selected light-based treatment • Supportive clinic treatments alongside the primary acne plan

Persistent acne should not be managed with repeated cosmetic treatments alone. A structured acne-management plan may be needed to control new breakouts and reduce the risk of ongoing marks or scarring.

DEEP OR PAINFUL BREAKOUTS

DEEP OR PAINFUL BREAKOUTS

Recommended starting point: • Medical assessment • Medical acne treatment appropriate to the severity

Other approaches that may be considered: • Supportive skin and barrier care • Treatment of remaining redness, pigmentation or scarring after active acne is controlled

Deep, painful, nodular or cyst-like breakouts have a higher risk of permanent scarring. Cosmetic procedures should not delay appropriate medical assessment and treatment.

ADULT OR CYCLICAL BREAKOUTS

Recommended starting point: • Professional or medical assessment • Evidence-based topical or medical acne management

Other approaches that may be considered: • Investigation of possible contributing factors when appropriate • Superficial chemical peels • Selected light-based treatment • Supportive clinic treatments

Adult or cyclical breakouts may be influenced by several factors. Treating the visible breakout alone may not be enough when acne is persistent, sudden in onset or repeatedly follows the same pattern.

Active acne, post-breakout marks and acne scars are different concerns

Active acne, post-breakout marks and acne scars are different concerns

Once a breakout settles, it may leave a flat red mark, a flat brown mark or a change in skin texture. These concerns require different treatment pathways and should not automatically be treated as active acne.

Once a breakout settles, it may leave a flat red mark, a flat brown mark or a change in skin texture. These concerns require different treatment pathways and should not automatically be treated as active acne.

A treatment for congestion is not equivalent to treatment for persistent acne

A treatment for congestion is not equivalent to treatment for persistent acne

A peel, facial or light-based treatment may support selected acne concerns, but these treatments do not necessarily replace a structured topical or medical acne plan. The appropriate starting point depends on inflammation, severity, persistence and scarring risk.

Treat the Concern, Not the Device.

Not sure which acne pattern sounds like yours?

Not sure which acne pattern sounds like yours?

Answer a few questions about your breakouts, skin and treatment preferences to explore the treatment categories commonly considered.

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Treatment Map provides general educational information and does not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis or consultation with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.