What Is Acne?

Q: What’s the most effective acne treatment?

Combination therapy using topicals, medications, medical facials like pHformula, peels, and lasers gives the best results.

Q: Is acne treatment safe during pregnancy?

Some topicals such as azelaic acid are safe. However, medications like retinoids or isotretinoin must be avoided. Safe alternatives are available for pregnant patients.

Q: When will I see results?

Mild acne may improve within 3–4 weeks, while moderate to severe acne can take 3–6 months for noticeable results.

Q: Can microneedling help with acne scars?

Yes, both microneedling and RF microneedling are effective in reducing acne scars and improving skin texture.

Acne or acne vulgaris, if you want the fancy name is basically what happens when your pores get clogged up with oil, dead skin, and whatever bacteria decides to join the party. Then you get the usual suspects: blackheads, whiteheads, random tiny pimples popping up at the worst times, and sometimes those deep, painful bumps like nodules or cysts that feel like they’re living under your skin. It shows up in teenagers a lot, but honestly, plenty of adults deal with it too. And the range is huge – from a few stubborn breakouts to full-on cystic acne that can leave scars if it’s not handled properly.

At Modern Aestheticss Dermatology and Laser Clinic in Dubai, we take acne pretty seriously. Every treatment plan is put together by a dermatologist, and it’s not a copy-paste thing, we combine advanced devices, proper medical-grade skincare, and specific procedures based on your skin type and what’s actually causing the breakouts.

What Causes Acne?

Several factors contribute to acne development:

Too much oil (sebum) being produced
Dead skin cells clogging up the pores
Bacterial buildup (Cutibacterium acnes)
Hormonal changes (puberty, PCOS, menstrual cycles)
Lifestyle: diet (high sugar/dairy), stress, makeup, helmet use, humidity
Improper skincare or frequent touching/picking

Understanding the root cause is key to effective and lasting acne control.

Types of Acne We Treat

We customize treatment based on acne type:

Comedonal Acne

Blackheads and whiteheads

Inflammatory Acne

Papules and pustules (red bumps or pus-filled pimples)

Cystic & Nodular Acne

Deep, painful breakouts that often lead to scarring

Hormonal Acne

Flare-ups around the jawline, often linked to menstrual cycles or PCOS

Back & Body Acne

Caused by sweat, clothing, or occlusion

Types of Acne

Understanding acne types helps tailor the best treatment:

How We Treat Acne At Modern Aestheticss?

We offer evidence-based, combination treatments for active acne and post-acne concerns.

Expert Dermatology Consultation

Your treatment starts with a detailed skin evaluation and acne grading . Our dermatologist will assess your skin type, triggers, and lifestyle factors to create a custom plan.

Prescription-Strength Topicals & Medications

Topicals: Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, clindamycin, adapalene, retinoids
Oral medications: Antibiotics, hormonal therapy (oral contraceptives or anti-androgens), isotretinoin (for cystic acne)
Safe pregnancy protocols followed when applicable

Professional Treatments at Our Clinic

Medical Facials

ZO Red Carpet Acne Facial: Oil control + deep cleansing
Acne Prone Facial: With extractions, acne mask, and high-frequency

Chemical Peels
We offer peels for active acne and pigmentation:

Salicylic, glycolic, TCA, lactic, Nomelan, Yellow Peel
Help reduce breakouts, fade post-acne marks, and smoothen texture

Advanced Laser & Light Therapies

Nordlys IPL (by Candela): Reduces inflammation, acne redness, and bacteria
Clarity II Laser (Nd:YAG): Treats active acne and post-acne scarring
LaseMD (Thulium Laser): Targets pigmentation and enhances delivery of acne medications
PDT (Photodynamic Therapy): Optional light therapy during facials

✓ Microneedling & RF Microneedling

Microneedling: Unclogs pores, reduces scarring, boosts collagen
Microneedling RF (MNRF): Combines microneedling with radiofrequency to treat acne and post-acne scars more deeply
Gold Stamp with Exosomes/PRP: For scar repair and pore refinement

✓ Microdermabrasion

Gentle skin polishing to resurface rough texture and clear pores

Acne Treatment Options For Clearer, Healthier Skin

Consultation & Skin Evaluation

A thorough history and skin analysis including acne grading (mild to severe grade 4 nodulocystic acne)

Topical & Systematic Medication

Professional Procedures

pHformula A.C.N.E Facial: addresses four root causes oiliness, hyperkeratinization, bacteria, inflammation—with deep pore cleaning
Chemical Peels: salicylic, glycolic, or TCA peels to exfoliate, reduce breakouts, and fade post-inflammatory marks
Laser & Light Therapies: IPL, Nd:YAG, fractional laser, AviClear (FDA‑approved) that precisely reduce oil production and acne lesions while promoting healing
Microdermabrasion / Microneedling: to resurface skin, unclog pores, improve texture, and address scarring

Maintenance & Follow Up

Why You Should Consult A Dermatologist

Acne is a serious skin condition and not only a matter of appearances, and to be honest, it may really irritate the skin in such a way that it can even affect your self-esteem. If you neglect it, it will eventually cause scars, dark spots, and a complete deterioration of your self-esteem. There is no doubt that those OTC creams may help in a short time, but in the long run, they will not eliminate the real reason behind your breakouts.

Many people still do not make a clear distinction between acne vs pimples, and yes, it is confusing, but the difference is quite straightforward. A pimple is that pesky little bump that appears on your skin only when your pores decide to act up for a day or two. Acne is more like the ongoing version those bumps keep returning, sometimes turning into whiteheads, blackheads, or those annoying deeper lumps that hurt when you touch them. And if you don’t treat acne properly, it can leave acne scars that stick around way longer than you’d want. Understanding the difference really helps you figure out what your skin needs and what kind of treatment actually makes sense.

At Modern Aestheticss Dermatology and Laser Clinic, our dermatologist:

Diagnoses your acne type and severity
Identifies underlying triggers like hormones or lifestyle habits
Creates a personalized plan using medical treatments and clinic-grade technologies
Provides continuous support and progress tracking

Professional guidance is essential for lasting results and to avoid worsening or scarring.

1. Baseline Skincare Routine

gentle cleanser, targeted topicals, non-comedogenic moisturizer & sunscreen

2. Procedural phase

pHformula A.C.N.E facial + 3–6 sessions of peels or laser treatments spaced 4–6 weeks apart

For severe cases: isotretinoin often paired with laser/laser fragmentation and retinoid therapy

3. Scar Management

microneedling, fractional laser, or chemical resurfacing to address icepick or boxcar scars

5. Final phase

maintenance topical therapies and monitor for hormonal or environmental triggers

Frequently Asked Questions

Can acne cause permanent scarring?

Yes, especially deep cystic or nodular acne. Early treatment helps prevent long-term marks.

What’s the most effective acne treatment?

Combination therapy: topicals, medications, medical facials (like pHformula), peels, and lasers are most effective together.

Is acne treatment safe during pregnancy?

Some topicals (e.g., azelaic acid) are safe. However, medications like retinoids or isotretinoin must be avoided. We offer safe alternatives for pregnant patients.

When will I see results?

Mild acne may improve within 3–4 weeks. Moderate to severe acne can take 3–6 months for significant improvement.

Can microneedling help with acne scars?

Yes. Microneedling and RF microneedling are both proven to reduce acne scars and improve skin texture.