Acne Treatments

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Boulder, CO

Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when oil and dead skin cells clog the hair follicles under the skin, leading to the formation of pimples. Incorporating advanced acne treatments into your routine can effectively diminish the presence of active blemishes and lingering scars.

Dr. Nathan Roesner leads Aura Advanced Skin Care & Plastic Surgery. He is a board-certified plastic surgeon who utilizes innovative surgical procedures and advanced laser technologies to help each patient achieve their goals. Dr. Roesner and his expert team offer acne treatments like BLU-U, facials, microdermabrasion, PRF Matrix for facial rejuvenation, Vivace, and more. If you are experiencing active acne or acne scars, these treatments can help improve skin clarity and overall skin health.

Contact us online or call our office directly at (303) 440-7546 to learn more about which treatments can help you address your acne!

About Acne Treatments

Acne treatments target different factors to minimize existing acne, reduce oil production, combat acne-causing bacteria, reduce inflammation, accelerate skin cell turnover, and address hormonal factors. Over-the-counter medications can help reduce pimple size and redness, but they may not always address the underlying problem of persistent acne. Certain topical products can address mild breakouts, but moderate-to-severe cases may require advanced options, such as our in-office acne treatments, antibiotics, or hormonal therapies. (1) Advanced acne treatments effectively alleviate lesions, prevent new breakouts, and reduce scarring. Facial scarring from acne affects up to 20% of teenagers and can persist into adulthood. Often, this creates detrimental effects on self-esteem, even after the acne has diminished on the skin surface. (2) Treating your active breakouts and facial scarring can boost your self-esteem and renew your self-confidence.

Benefits

Acne treatments offer physical, emotional, and aesthetic benefits. With a personalized, expert-led acne treatment regimen, our patients see improvements by:

  • Reducing discomfort
  • Improving skin texture
  • Increasing confidence
  • Preventing scarring
  • Minimizing post-acne spots
  • Alleviating emotional distress

Candidates

If you are currently struggling with active or persistent acne and have not seen improvements with over-the-counter solutions, you may be an ideal candidate for an advanced acne treatment. Patients should be in good general health and have no severe underlying skin conditions or allergies to active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Patients should also have realistic expectations and patience for their results, as they may need more than one acne treatment.

Personal Consultation

Your acne treatment will begin with a personal consultation, where your specialist will evaluate your medical history, closely examine your acne, and discuss your previous treatments and possible breakout triggers. They will also review your current skin care products, diet, and lifestyle. They will create a personalized treatment plan that targets your concerns. This may include prescribed topicals with an in-office treatment or, at times, oral medication to target the acne internally. Your specialist will also provide a cost outline for your treatment and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

If you are ready to take the next step in your acne journey and achieve a clear complexion, contact us online or call (303) 440-7546 to schedule your personal consultation.

Preparation

After establishing an acne treatment regimen, you will need to make certain preparations to prime your skin for treatment. Your specialist will outline these requirements during your consultation, but general recommendations include:

  • Stop using strong exfoliants or retinoids
  • Bring a list of current products to your appointment
  • Arrive with a clean face, free of makeup, lotions, or creams
  • Avoid sun exposure to prevent irritation
  • Stay hydrated before your appointment
  • Avoid hair removal or waxing in the treatment area(s) beforehand

Acne Treatment Procedures

Your specialist will help you determine which acne treatments will best address your concerns. Available treatments include:

BLU-U®

BLU-U works for both teenagers and young adults who are struggling with moderate, inflammatory acne. This treatment uses blue light therapy to kill Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), the bacterium that causes acne breakouts. During your treatment, you will wear blue-blocking protective eyewear and sit in front of the blue light for about 15-30 minutes. We recommend sessions once or twice a week for a total duration of five weeks. This treatment is ideal for patients who cannot take oral medications or desire a drug-free alternative with no downtime.

Facials

Facials are gentle yet effective treatments that combine cleansing, exfoliation, hydrating serums, and masks to revitalize your skin. They target skin concerns like acne, dullness, large pores, and early signs of aging. Facials help address acne by enhancing cell turnover and stimulating collagen production. These treatments are ideal for patients who want to improve their skin texture, diminish their acne, and improve their overall skin health.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a skin resurfacing treatment that exfoliates the top layer of the skin to reveal the smooth, fresh, unaffected layer underneath. We use the DiamondTome™ skin resurfacing system, which gently exfoliates the skin while simultaneously vacuuming skin cells. Microdermabrasion stimulates circulation, which results in a healthier and firmer appearance. This treatment is ideal for patients with mild acne, blackheads, and surface-level acne scars who desire dark-spot and acne scar correction with no downtime.

PRF Matrix for Facial Rejuvenation

Platelet-rich fibrin matrix, or PRF, is a regenerative treatment made from a patient’s own blood that can restore volume, tighten the skin, and enhance collagen production. This treatment delivers prolonged results through tissue regeneration. (3) PRF is a concentrated serum of growth factors, which help your skin fill in atrophic acne scars, soften texture, and reduce post-inflammatory redness. This treatment is ideal for patients who are struggling with moderate acne scars and who want a non-surgical option with minimal downtime.

Vivace™

Vivace is an acne treatment that uses microneedling with radiofrequency heat to stimulate collagen production. Vivace treats acne scars, reduces acne-related inflammation, and improves overall skin texture. This treatment is more effective than traditional microneedling because it reaches deeper into the dermis to stimulate collagen. Vivace is ideal for patients desiring radiant skin and who want to stimulate collagen production for long-lasting results.

Recovery and Results

Most acne treatments require no downtime, meaning you can resume your regular activities immediately after. Mild swelling or bruising is common for some treatments, but these effects are temporary and will resolve quickly. After treatment, you should avoid harsh ingredients like exfoliants and retinoids, sun exposure, picking on your skin, heavy makeup, and strenuous exercise for 48 hours. You will begin to see results after several weeks, and your skin will appear smoother, tighter, hydrated, and brighter, with less visible acne or scarring.

Corresponding Procedures

Oxygen Facials

Oxygen facials rejuvenate and hydrate the skin by applying serums and hyaluronic acid through high-pressure oxygen exposure. This application technique encourages waste removal and supports skin renewal. Oxygen facials effectively restore hydration, vitality, and glow, and alongside other acne treatments, patients can enhance their acne reduction and skin health.

Cost of Acne Treatments in Boulder, CO

The cost of your acne treatment will vary depending on the severity of your acne, which treatments you receive, how many treatment sessions you require, and whether or not you undergo any other procedures. During your personal consultation, your specialist will provide a cost outline for your procedure. We also offer financing options for qualifying patients.

If you are ready to improve your skin health and reduce your acne, contact us online or call our office directly at (303) 440-7546 to schedule your personal consultation.

FAQ

What are acne treatments?

Acne treatments are a combination of skin care routines, over-the-counter medications, facial treatments, and prescribed products that kill the bacteria that cause acne and reduce oil production to minimize acne breakouts.

How much do acne treatments cost?

The cost of your acne treatment depends on the severity of your acne, the total number of treatments you will need, which treatments you receive, and whether or not you will combine them with other procedures. Your specialist will provide a cost outline at your personal consultation and answer any concerns you may have.

Do acne treatments completely remove acne?

Acne treatments target the root causes of acne breakouts and help diminish the presence of acne as well as reduce oil production and inflammation. These treatments may be effective for reducing breakouts, but permanent prevention is not guaranteed. Patient experiences may vary.

Can I pair acne treatments with other procedures?

Yes, you can pair acne treatments with other procedures such as chemical peels, laser skin treatments, and powerful topicals like hyaluronic acid, clindamycin, niacinamide, and vitamin C.

References

  1. Østergaard CES, Bertelsen T, Lomholt H, Kofoed K, Gyldenløve M. Acne. Ugeskrift for Læger. Published online March 31, 2025:1-9. doi:https://doi.org/10.61409/v09240660
  2. Williams HC, Dellavalle RP, Garner S. Acne vulgaris. The Lancet. 2012;379(9813):361-372. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(11)60321-8
  3. Diab NAF, Ibrahim AM, Abdallah AM. Fluid Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in the Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scars: A Comparative Study. Archives of Dermatological Research. Published online December 15, 2022. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-022-02511-3