Heading back to school (or just into a busier fall schedule) is the perfect time to hit reset on your skin. Whether you’re heading back to the classroom, preparing for fall activities, or just want to refresh your complexion after a long summer, August is the perfect time to tackle acne and acne scarring. From understanding why breakouts happen to finding the right treatments for both active acne and scarring, Simply Dermatology is here to help you achieve your clearest skin yet.
Why Acne Happens
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions, and it doesn’t just affect teenagers. Adults experience it too, often due to hormonal changes, stress, or lifestyle factors. Breakouts occur when pores become clogged with a combination of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Here are a few key contributors:
- Hormonal fluctuations: Common during puberty, menstrual cycles, or stressful periods.
- Excess oil production: Increased sebum leads to clogged pores.
- Bacteria buildup: Cutibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacteria love an oily environment and can cause redness and inflammation.
- Environmental factors: Sweat, pollution, and even summer sunscreen buildup can worsen breakouts.
Understanding the root cause of your acne is essential because different types—blackheads, whiteheads, papules, cysts, and nodules—respond best to tailored treatments.
Understanding Acne: More Than a Surface Issue
As a premier acne treatment center, we take a comprehensive approach to both active acne and post-acne concerns. What sets us apart is the combination of medical expertise and advanced cosmetic treatments under one roof.
- Board-certified dermatology: Dr. Papantoniou and our team specialize in identifying the type and cause of your acne for the most effective treatment plan.
- Customized care: No two patients are alike, and we consider factors like lifestyle, skin type, and scarring risk before building a plan.
- Full-spectrum solutions: We offer both medical treatments and in-office procedures to clear skin faster and prevent long-term damage.
At-Home and Prescription Solutions for Back-to-School Acne Treatments
Sometimes drugstore products just don’t cut it. That’s where a mix of prescription treatments and the right at-home care from our Simply Collection can really make a difference:
- Topical therapies: Retinoids to keep pores clear and skin cells turning over, plus prescription creams with antibiotics or benzoyl peroxide to calm redness and bacteria.
- Oral medications:
- Spironolactone – Great for women with hormonal acne, helping to dial down excess oil.
- Accutane (Isotretinoin) – The go-to for stubborn or cystic acne that hasn’t responded to anything else.
- Simply Collection Glow Pads – These glycolic and salicylic-infused pads help brighten your skin, fade dark spots, keep pores clear, and can even smooth the look of fine lines. Use them regularly and you’ll also boost how well your Simply Serums work—perfect for keeping results going between appointments.
By treating acne from the inside out and sticking to a good routine, you’ll clear breakouts faster and help keep them from coming back.
In-Office Treatments for Active Acne and Scarring
Pairing your at-home routine with in-office treatments can help you clear up faster and tackle leftover scars or texture issues:
- HydraFacial: A three-step treatment that deeply cleanses, exfoliates, and hydrates. Pore extractions help prevent future breakouts, and the treatment is gentle enough for acne-prone skin.
- Salt Facial: A unique three-phase treatment that uses organic sea salt for exfoliation, ultrasound for enhanced product penetration, and LED light to calm inflammation.
- Fraxel Laser: A go-to for stubborn acne scars and uneven texture. Fraxel stimulates new collagen, softening scars and revealing smoother, more even skin over time.
- Microneedling RF: Delivers controlled heat to the deeper layers of skin to boost collagen production and improve pitted scars, all while tightening and refining skin tone.
These treatments not only help your skin look better right away, they set you up for long-term results.
Our Layered Approach: Clear Skin Now and Later
Acne management is most effective when combining therapies that address both active breakouts and residual scarring. At Simply Dermatology, we create layered plans such as:
- Control breakouts with prescriptions and a series of HydraFacials or Salt Facials.
- Prevent new lesions through consistent home care guided by our team.
- Repair scars and refine skin texture using Fraxel or Microneedling RF once acne is under control.
This approach ensures you not only see clear skin sooner but also protect it for the long term.
Schedule your appointment and Get Ready for the School Year with Confidence
Acne can be frustrating, but with the right treatment plan, clearer skin is possible. By combining expert medical care with advanced cosmetic treatments, Simply Dermatology helps you take control of breakouts and prevent future scarring.
Don’t wait until mid-semester to start your journey. Book a consultation now to build your customized back-to-school acne plan and step into fall with confidence.
Book now at this link and we’ll see you soon!
Other blogs you might like to check out: LED Light Therapy for Acne Treatments and How To Treat Hormonal Acne
-Dr. Papantoniou