Your first visit

Bring the products and medicines you use now, or photos of their labels. We look at your skin and ask about your routine.
You leave with a written plan: what to use, in what order, morning and night.
Treatments we use

A plan may include creams such as retinoids or benzoyl peroxide, a short course of antibiotic medicine, or, for some women, hormone medicine.
We may also suggest isotretinoin for severe acne. It needs a check-in every 30 days and blood tests for cholesterol and liver. Patients who can get pregnant also need pregnancy tests and must enroll in iPLEDGE, an FDA-required safety program.
We explain the side effects of each before you start.
Why we book a follow-up

Acne treatment takes weeks to judge. We book a follow-up when we write your plan, and adjust the plan then if we need to.
Questions about acne treatment
Do you treat teenagers?
Yes, from age 12. A parent or guardian comes to the first visit and signs a written consent form.
Is acne treatment covered by insurance?
Acne visits are medical visits, and most plans cover them. Some prescription creams need approval from your plan first; we help with that paperwork.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Helena Westbrook, MD, FAAD, October 7, 2026
