Appointment FAQs

How much will the program cost?

The initial investment on products is $150-$200. Most of the products will last roughly 8-12 weeks depending on the product and the regimen that you are placed on.  

The cost of treatments are $100, after your first appointment.  

*Please note that these costs are relating to the Face Reality Acne Clinic located at 730 Camino Ramon, Danville, CA only. Services and product costs vary with Certified Acne Experts, clinics, or facilities outside of this location.

Do I have to buy Face Reality products? 

Yes. We only perform treatments on clients that are consistently using a full Face Reality Home Care regimen. The home care regimen is essential to the clearing process. Acne is not cured, it is controlled by consistent product usage and lifestyle adjustments. To ensure clear skin, require clients under our care only use Face Reality Skincare products. Acne is tricky enough to treat – we do not want to take any chances with other potentially harmful or comedogenic products. 

 

How long will each appointment take? 

The first consultation and treatment appointment is scheduled for about 1 ½ hours and subsequent appointments are 30- 45 minutes. When you start to get clearer and there are fewer extractions to do, treatments will take less and less time.  

 

What can I expect in the appointment? 

1. We consult with you regarding your experience and any prior treatments that you have had (if any). 
2. We analyze your acne and put the together your specific treatment plan based on your acne type, acne severity, and skin type. 
3. You will receive crucial information regarding products, diet recommendations, medications, cosmetics, etc. 
4. We will take some preliminary pictures to track your progress; about once a month. 
5. Your skin will be tested for sensitivities. 
6. If you are getting a treatment, we will perform the treatment, which includes a mild corrective peel with extractions or a gentle enzyme treatment with steam and extractions. *Generally speaking, neither of these are uncomfortable. You may or may not experience some mild peeling after these treatments. 

 

Are extractions necessary? 

It’s the fastest way to get you clear – we extract the current lesions out and the home care prevents the new ones from forming. It takes up to 90 days for acne to form and reach the surface of your skin, so in the 3-4 months that we are working with you, you will see breakouts. These are just old lesions coming to the surface that we will extract every two weeks.  

  

What to Extractions feel like? 

Extractions can cause slight discomfort, but the process is tolerable and crucial for the processing of acne to promote the healing process. Most people are quite red from getting extractions – there is no way around it. So, you really need to plan ahead and make sure you do not plan on being out in the sun or have a special event within 48 hours of getting a treatment.  

 

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 home care to get you clear in the safest and fastest way possible.  

 

Can I pay with my Insurance? 

No, we do not take insurance as we are not a medical facility. Our front desk coordinator can provide you with an itemized receipt and an esthetician can fill out a “medical necessity” form, but it is up to your insurance if they cover acne treatment. We recommend that you check with your insurance company to be sure and understand what is in your schedule of benefits.  

 

How does the Face Reality program work? 

The Face Reality Acne Clinic has a clear-skin system that will have your acne under control in about three to four months, depending on your type of acne. We combine the power of clinical-grade products that are customized for your type of acne, with a series of bi-monthly treatments. We also teach you about other aggravating factors that make you break out – foods, medications, cosmetics, stress, and common ingredients in skin care formulations that might be clogging your pores (even professional and prescription products).  

 

What do the peels actually do? 

Our high quality blended corrective peels have multiple purposes including thorough exfoliation, softening of comedones, and they lighten pigmentation. They also prepare the skin for maximum absorption of our homecare products. They can help with signs of aging, as well. Our papaya powered enzyme is an excellent alternative for those who cannot receive a corrective peel. 

 

What if I’m on other topical prescription products? 

We require you to stop your prescription products, two-four weeks before starting on our program. We have found that they make the skin much too sensitive to use our system. Therefore, we do not recommend the use of any of them with our regimen. Quite simply, you would have to choose between our program or the prescription products that you are using.  

 

Can I combine Face Reality 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.  

 

How long does it typically take to get clear? 

If you do your homecare twice a day 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 and how closely they follow the recommended homecare guidelines that they are given.  

 

Am I going to have to use these products forever? 

You will need to use products to control your acne as long as you are acne prone; acne can be a lifelong condition.  

 

What is the youngest age that the Face Reality Clinic will treat clients? 

We will take clients at whatever age they are breaking out. Acne does not discriminate – neither do we. Minors need to be accompanied by an adult and guardians need to give consent to our clinic in-order to treat minors.  

 

Who will I be seeing at my appointment? 

You will see one of our Certified Acne Specialist Estheticians. All of the specialists are thoroughly trained in the same protocol; so they all do the same thing. We cannot guarantee that you will see the same esthetician each time that you schedule an appointment, but we will do our best to match you with your requested Esthetician.

 

Are there doctors on staff? 

We do not have any physicians on staff. We are estheticians licensed by the State of California. Estheticians specialize in skin and topical ingredients, making us an excellent choice to tackle something as personal as acne.  

 

What if I am pregnant or breastfeeding? 

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.  

 

Does the Face Reality Clinic treat 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 or RN. The peels can lessen their appearance over time, but typically require medical intervention. 

  

What other skin conditions does the Face Reality Clinic treat? 

We mostly treat acne; but we can also treat subtype 2 rosacea aka acne rosacea and fungal folliculitis. 

 

Does the Face Reality Clinic offer a family discount? 

No, but we have a referral discount – for every person that you refer to us, we will give you and them a $20 credit to utilize towards your next treatment or product purchase. This $20 credit is issued after they have completed their first appointment.