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Acne Treatments

Clearer skin begins here.

Schedule a Consultation (407) 558-1616
Stephenie Poris, MD

What Skin Treatments Help Acne?

Living with active acne—or the scars it leaves behind—can affect both how you look and how you feel. At Winter Park Plastic Surgery & Laser Center, we offer advanced, medically guided acne solutions that go beyond over-the-counter skin care. Our patients receive personalized treatment with light technology, laser, microneedling, and professional skin care procedures and products to help calm inflammation, treat existing breakouts, and improve the texture and tone of skin affected by acne or scarring.

Types of Acne

Acne takes many forms, and we tailor our treatment approach to effectively address each type. The most common types include:

  • Comedonal acne – blackheads and whiteheads caused by clogged pores.
  • Inflammatory acne – red bumps and pustules that signal active inflammation.
  • Cystic acne – deeper, more painful lesions under the skin, which often lead to scarring.
  • Post-inflammatory marks and scars – pigmentation or texture changes that remain after breakouts heal.

Once we identify your acne type and evaluate your skin’s sensitivity, as well as any associated discoloration or scarring, we’ll be able to design a treatment plan that fits your unique needs.

Causes of Acne and Acne Scarring

Acne and its visible aftereffects develop from several overlapping causes:

  • Excess oil and clogged pores, which trap bacteria and trigger inflammation.
  • Bacterial overgrowth within the pores that worsens redness and swelling.
  • Hormonal changes and stress, which increase oil production and sensitivity.
  • Inflammation and collagen breakdown, which can lead to lasting scars or uneven skin texture.
  • Residual pigmentation or redness after active acne clears.

Using a variety of treatments, we can address virtually all causes of acne—oil, bacteria, inflammation, and pigment—to help your skin look and feel healthier long term.

Acne Treatment Options

We offer a range of evidence-based treatments to manage active acne, prevent new breakouts, and correct visible scarring or discoloration. With treatment, you look forward to enjoying clear and even, blemish-free skin.

  • Blue light therapy targets acne-causing bacteria and inflammation, making it ideal for treating active breakouts.
  • BBL® Photorejuvenation helps reduce redness, lingering pigment, and post-inflammatory marks left behind by previous acne breakouts.
  • Fractional lasers such as HALO® and ProFractional® stimulate collagen remodeling to smooth and refine the skin, making them a great option for more advanced acne scarring or uneven texture.
  • Microneedling, with or without radiofrequency (Genius RF), promotes collagen and elastin production—helping soften pitted scars, smooth surface irregularities, and improve overall texture over a series of treatments.
  • Chemical peels help exfoliate clogged pores, refine texture, and fade discoloration.
  • HydraFacial MD® deeply cleanses and hydrates the skin, reducing congestion and maintaining clarity between stronger corrective treatments.
  • At-home skin care products can reinforce your in-office care. A customized home regimen using medical-grade skin care—such as retinoids, gentle exfoliants, and targeted serums—helps control oil, clear pores, and prevent future breakouts.

Recovery and Results

Because treatment plans are personalized, recovery and results vary:

  • Blue Light Therapy: No downtime. Mild redness may last a few hours; visible reduction in active breakouts typically occurs after a few sessions.
  • BBL® Photorejuvenation: Mild warmth or redness for several hours; discoloration may temporarily darken before flaking away naturally within a week.
  • HALO® / ProFractional® Lasers: Temporary redness and flaking for 3 to 7 days depending on intensity; smoother texture and scar improvement develop over several weeks.
  • Microneedling / RF Microneedling: Redness for 24 to 48 hours; gradual scar softening and refined texture after a series of treatments.
  • Chemical Peels: Little to no downtime; light flaking possible for 2 to 5 days; clearer, brighter skin visible within a week.
  • HydraFacialMD®: Little to no downtime; clearer, brighter skin visible within a week.
  • At-Home Skin Care Products: No downtime; consistent use helps control oil and maintain results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is a good candidate for acne treatments?

Almost anyone dealing with active breakouts, uneven texture, or residual acne marks can benefit from treatment. We offer safe treatments for any skin type and can customize the approach for teens, adults, and those with sensitive or mature skin. During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your skin condition, acne type, and any scarring or pigmentation to determine which treatment or combination of treatments should give you the best results.

Can acne really be treated with light or laser therapy?

Yes! Blue light and BBL treatments safely target the bacteria, inflammation, and redness associated with acne. Laser therapies like HALO and ProFractional go a step further by addressing the texture changes and scarring that acne can leave behind.

How many acne treatments will I need?

Most patients begin with a series of treatments—typically three to six sessions spaced a few weeks apart—depending on skin type, acne severity, and the combination of therapies used. After this, regular maintenance treatments and consistent at-home skin care help sustain clear, healthy skin.

Will acne treatments work for acne scars?

Yes. Fractional lasers and microneedling are particularly effective for smoothing acne scars. They stimulate collagen production beneath the surface, which helps soften pitted or uneven areas and improve skin texture over time.

Is there any downtime after acne treatments?

Most acne treatments have little to no downtime. You may notice temporary redness or light flaking depending on the procedure, but most patients return to regular activities the same day or within 24 hours. Sun sensitivity will be higher while your skin is recovering, so it’s best to always wear sunscreen (broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher) and adopt good sun care practices to prevent damage to your skin.

Can I combine different acne treatments?

Absolutely. Combining therapies often produces the best results. For example, BBL or blue light can calm inflammation and discoloration while microneedling and peels target textural issues. We will create a plan that is safe and optimized to meet your unique needs.

When will I start to see improvement?

Results vary depending on the treatment and your skin’s response, but most patients notice clearer, calmer skin within the first few weeks. Continued improvements develop over time as treatment continues, inflammation subsides, and new collagen forms.

How do I maintain my results?

Regular maintenance treatments, consistent medical-grade skin care, and diligent sun protection are key. Many patients benefit from periodic HydraFacialMD or Forever Young BBL sessions to keep their skin balanced and radiant.

Schedule a Consultation

Stephenie Poris, MD sees patients at both the Orlando and Winter Park offices.

Schedule a Consultation (407) 558-1616