Frequently Asked Questions



What is the cost?

Typically we charge about $140 (give or take $10) for the set of products you initially take home. Most of the products last you quite a long time. The real active ones are purposefully put in smaller containers as these will be strengthened at different points in your treatment plan.

The treatments are $75. It typically takes about six treatments over a 3-month period of time to see results. We have a package deal of $200 for three treatments at the beginning of treatment with us.

If you come in for a consultation only, the cost is $50. If you come in for a treatment and consultation, which is what most people do, you pay for the treatment which is $75, and the consultation fee is waived.
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How long will appointment take?

The first appt is scheduled for about an 1 ½ hour and subsequent appointments for an hour. When you start to get clearer and there are less extractions to do, treatments will take less and less time.
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What is going to happen in the appointment?

It depends on whether you get just a consultation with us OR you get a consultation and treatment with us. The consultation by itself is $50. If you, however, come in for a treatment, which if $75, the consultation is free.

This is what to expect from your first appointment:

  • 1. We consult with you regarding your experience and your prior treatments
  • 2. analyze your acne
  • 3. give you mounds of useful information regarding products and diet, medications etc.,
  • 4. take some preliminary pictures,
  • 5. test your skin for sensitivities,
  • 6. make product recommendations and show you exactly how to use the products (and, if you are getting a treatment),
  • 7. do the treatment, which includes exfoliation and extractions

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What is the treatment like?

We either do a very mild chemical peel on your skin or we do an gentle enzyme with steam. Generally speaking, neither of these are uncomfortable or will make your skin visibly peel or there might be very mild peeling. We then do extractions of your acne.
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Do the extractions hurt?

For most people, there is a slight discomfort but it’s very tolerable.
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Why do the extractions?

It’s the fastest way to get clear – we extract the current lesions out and the homecare prevents the new ones from forming. It takes up to 90 days for acne to form and come to the surface, so in the three months that we are working with you, you will have some breakout. These are just old lesions coming to the surface that we extract every two weeks.
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Do I have to use your products?

Yes. There are too many brands in the marketplace that have pore-clogging ingredients in them. Acne is tricky enough to treat – we do not want to take any chances with comedogenic products.
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Do I have to get treatments?

If you live close enough to the clinic, it is in your best interest to get acne treatments from us. That is the fastest way to get clear; and also helps us to monitor your homecare to get you clear in the fastest possible way.
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Do we take insurance?

HSA – yes, Flex spending – need to submit

Our services are not covered by traditional insurance plans, however your HSA will. If you have a Flex Spending plan, you will need to submit a receipt of services and treatment. We recommend that you check with your plan to be sure.
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How does our system work?

Our system works by taking into account the type of acne you have, the type of skin you have and how fast your skin adapts to products. We keep pushing the skin to clear with products that penetrate the pore where acne starts. We don’t push it past its tolerance however, because we don’t want your skin dry and irritated. The products prevent the new acne lesions from forming; we extract the existing acne lesions out and in about three months your acne is under control.
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What do the peels actually do?

The esthetician can explain more about that in the treatment.

Our high quality blended corrective peels have multiple purposes including thorough exfoliation, softening of comedones and they lighten dark spots. They also prepare the skin for maximum absorption of our homecare products. They can actually help with signs of aging, as well.
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What if I’m on other prescription products?

We require you to stop your prescription products. We have found that they make the skin much too sensitive to use our system. Therefore we generally do not recommend the use of any of them with our regimen.
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Can I combine your regimen with another one that I have been on?

Acne is challenging enough to get under control. In order to eliminate the variables, we require that you use only our products. We don’t want to have to wonder if an outside product is causing a problem.
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How long does it typically take to get clear?

If you do your homecare exactly like we tell you to and come in every two weeks for a treatment you will most likely be clear in about three to four months. Some people might take a little longer depending on the nature of their acne.
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Am I going to have to use these products forever?

You will need to use products to control your acne until you outgrow acne; and no one knows when that is. Many people do outgrow acne, but we are unable to predict when, so you may have to use them for a while to manage your acne, but not forever.
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What is the youngest age that you take clients?

We will take clients at whatever age they are breaking out. Acne does not discriminate – neither do we.
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Do extractions make my face red? What about if I have a special event coming up? When should I book my treatment?

Most people are quite red from getting extractions – there’s no way around it. So, you really need to plan ahead and make sure you do not have a special event within 24 hours of getting a treatment.
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Is there anything that takes the redness away?

For women – we have an incredible mineral makeup that covers the red while still looking very natural.

Unfortunately, there is no product that will take redness away. Only time can do that. Redness fades very gradually; and the acne usually goes away long before the redness subsides.
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Who will I be seeing at my appointment?

You will see one of our estheticians whose a Certified Acne Specialist. All of the specialists are trained in the same protocol so we all do the same thing. If you want a guarantee of seeing the same person each time there is a $25 fee added to your treatment.
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How long should I wait for a treatment if I have just gotten a peel/microderm/waxing from another place of business?

We suggest that you wait at least a week, preferably two weeks before you come to see us. We don’t want your skin to be too irritated to use our home care system.
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Are doctors on staff?

We do not have any physicians on staff. We are estheticians licensed by the State of California.

How are we different from doctors?

  • We have more time to spend with you than a busy doctor. We can listen to all of your skin care concerns.
  • We keep updated with the latest research about acne.
  • We have the best and most effective acne products that do not require a prescription.
  • We have compassionate and emphathetic clinicians who also have had acne, so we know what you are going through.
  • We give you honest and straightforward answers to all of your skin care questions; and if we do not know the answer, we will do research.
  • We keep in close contact with you throughout your process of getting clear; making sure that your home care is working properly and your skin is responding.
  • We are hands-on with you in working with your skin, your skin type, your acne type and always do extractions in your treatments

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What if I am pregnant?

We can still treat you for acne, but first you will have to get a list from your doctor as to what ingredients they want you to avoid.
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Do you treat scarring?

It depends on what you mean by scarring? If you have dark spots, then yes, those will be treated along with the acne. If you have pitted scars, then no, that is treated by a medical doctor.
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Do you treat bumps on the arms aka keratosis pilarsis?

Yes, we do treat this condition with pretty good results.
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Do you do microdermabrasion?

We do, but we rarely do it for acneic conditions. We prefer to use our corrective peels that also help to lighten dark spots. Your esthetician will determine the best treatment to do for your skin.
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What other skin conditions do you treat?

We mostly treat acne; but we can also treat rosacea. We can do peels for skin rejuvenation – ask one of the estheticians about what we offer.
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Why do I have to give my credit card information?

It is standard business practice to hold your appointment with a credit card number. We want to know that you are as serious as we are about helping you have clear skin.
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Do you offer a family discount?

No but we have a referral discount – for every person you refer to us, we give you $20 in product or service.
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