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Acne Treatment in Jacksonville
Acne is one of the most common reasons patients visit our office, and one of the most treatable. Effective care starts with a medical evaluation and a plan built around your skin, from prescription topicals to in-office treatments. At Jacksonville Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, acne treatment is provided by our experienced providers under the medical direction of Dr. Brandon T. Beal, a double board-certified, fellowship-trained dermatologist.
Double board-certified
Dr. Beal holds board certification in dermatology and Mohs micrographic surgery.
Fellowship-trained
Advanced training under Drs. Zitelli and Brodland.
Physician-owned
Independently owned small business, never a corporate chain.
Southpoint, Jacksonville
Off I-95 at Southpoint, minutes from most of Jacksonville and the beaches.
What Is Acne?
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions there is. Most people deal with it at some point, and while we tend to associate it with the teenage years, plenty of adults experience breakouts well into their 30s, 40s, and beyond.
Acne starts when pores, the small openings in the skin, become blocked, usually by an overproduction of oil (sebum) from the sebaceous glands. Blocked pores form whiteheads and blackheads. When a clogged pore becomes inflamed, pimples can develop, along with deeper, more painful nodules and cysts.
Acne ranges from mild, a few scattered pimples, to severe, with painful nodules and cysts. Moderate to severe acne can leave lasting scars, which is the single best argument for treating it early: preventing a scar is far easier than treating one later.
What Causes Acne?
- Hormones. Hormonal changes push the skin to produce more oil. Puberty is the classic trigger, but hormonal birth control, stress, and other hormonal fluctuations can drive breakouts in adults, especially along the jawline and chin.
- Bacteria. Acne-causing bacteria grow inside blocked follicles and trigger inflammation, turning clogged pores into pustules, nodules, and cysts.
- Irritation. Picking at existing breakouts and friction from hats, helmets, chin straps, and masks can all make acne worse by increasing inflammation.
- Environment. Heat, humidity, and sweat contribute to clogged pores, and Jacksonville delivers all three for most of the year. Florida summers are a real factor in how we plan acne care.
- Products. Heavy or oily lotions and certain hair products, like pomades and waxes, can block pores. In Florida, daily sunscreen is non-negotiable, so we help you choose non-comedogenic formulas that protect your skin without feeding breakouts.
Acne Treatment Options in Jacksonville
There is no single best acne treatment; there is the right combination for your skin, your acne severity, and your history. Your provider will often combine approaches to get the best result, and adjust the plan as your skin responds.
Prescription topicals and medical-grade skincare
Topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and topical antibiotics remain the workhorses of acne care. Prescription-strength versions go well beyond what’s available over the counter, and the right routine matters as much as the right products. Most topicals need several weeks of consistent use before results show, and your provider will set expectations honestly.
Oral medications
For moderate to severe or stubborn acne, oral medication may be added: short courses of oral antibiotics for inflammatory acne, hormonal therapy for hormone-driven breakouts, and, for severe cystic acne, your provider may discuss isotretinoin. Oral treatment is always physician-directed and monitored, with a plan for tapering off as your skin improves.
Chemical peels
In-office chemical peels exfoliate the skin, help unclog pores, and can improve the tone and texture changes that active acne leaves behind. Peels are often layered into a plan alongside topicals for faster visible progress.
Blue light therapy (photodynamic therapy)
Blue light therapy uses high-intensity light to target acne-causing bacteria in the oil glands and calm inflammation, with no needles or incisions. For appropriate candidates, it can reduce reliance on oral antibiotics, and it’s a useful option when topicals alone aren’t getting it done.
Acne Scars: Prevention and Treatment
The best acne scar treatment is preventing scars in the first place, which is why we push for early, effective control of active acne, especially the deeper nodules and cysts that scar most often. Picking and squeezing raise the risk further, so a plan that actually clears breakouts protects your skin twice over.
If acne has already left its mark, we treat that too. Our acne scar treatment options range from chemical peels to the ResurFx fractional laser, a non-ablative laser that stimulates collagen to smooth acne scarring over a series of sessions. Your provider can address active acne and scarring in a single coordinated plan.
Acne Before and After Photos
Real patients, real results. Every acne plan is individualized, and results vary from person to person.
Your Acne Treatment Plan
1
Evaluation
Your provider listens first: how long you’ve had breakouts, what you’ve already tried, and what your skin does day to day. Then a thorough exam establishes your acne type and severity.
2
Your plan
You leave with a written, individualized plan: what to use, when, and what to expect. If in-office treatments like peels or blue light make sense for your skin, they’re scheduled around your routine.
3
Follow-up
Acne treatment is rarely one-and-done. Skin responds over weeks, and follow-up visits let your provider adjust medications, add treatments, or taper things down as you clear.
Schedule an Acne Consultation in Jacksonville
If over-the-counter products haven’t made a dent after two to three months, if breakouts are painful or leaving dark marks or scars, or if acne is simply wearing on your confidence, it’s time to see a dermatology provider. That goes for teenagers and adults alike, and earlier is always better where scarring is a risk.
We welcome patients from across the Jacksonville area, including Southside and Baymeadows, at our office at 6817 Southpoint Pkwy, Suite 101. Send a request through our contact page, or call (904) 420-7372 to speak with our team. You can also review our pricing page.
Common questions
Acne Treatment FAQs.
How long does acne treatment take to work?
Most acne treatments need time. Topicals commonly take six to twelve weeks of consistent use before clear improvement, and some medications cause a brief adjustment period first. Your provider will tell you what to expect from your specific plan and check progress at follow-up visits. Results vary by individual.
Do you treat teenage acne?
Yes. Teens are some of our most common acne patients, and treating adolescent acne early is the single best way to reduce the risk of lasting scarring. We also treat plenty of adult acne, which often behaves differently and calls for a different plan.
Can you treat acne scars too?
Yes. Options range from chemical peels to the ResurFx fractional laser, which stimulates collagen to smooth acne scarring over a series of sessions. See our acne scar treatment page for the full picture; your provider can build one plan that addresses active acne and scarring together.
Is blue light therapy a good option for acne?
For appropriate candidates, yes. Blue light targets acne-causing bacteria and can calm inflammation without needles or medication, and it may reduce the need for oral antibiotics. It’s often used alongside a topical routine. Your provider will tell you whether it fits your skin and your acne type.
Does insurance cover acne treatment?
Acne is a medical condition, and many insurance plans cover medical acne visits and prescription treatment; the specifics depend on your plan. Cosmetic add-ons are typically paid directly. Our team can help you understand what to expect, and current information is on our pricing page.
Clear skin starts with a plan.
Medical acne treatment for teens and adults, from evaluation to results. Physician-owned and independent, in Jacksonville.