Acne Facial
Breathe. Relax. Let go. Acne facials are targeted, technique-driven treatments for active breakouts — not relaxation services. Deep cleansing, professional extractions, calming actives, and a series-based approach that actually moves the needle on persistent acne.
Acne is one of the most stubborn, frustrating skin conditions to manage. It’s bacterial, hormonal, behavioral, environmental, and genetic — and it doesn’t respond to a single one-time facial. What it does respond to is consistent, professional, technique-driven treatment paired with the right home routine.
The acne facial at Pristine isn’t a relaxation service dressed up with a different name. It’s a focused, working appointment: deep cleansing, professional extractions performed correctly, targeted actives matched to your acne type, and a calming finish so you leave less inflamed than when you arrived. Best results come from a series, paired with home care we’ll guide you through.
What Makes Pristine Acne Facials Different
Licensed estheticians trained in acne management.
Extractions performed correctly — not aggressive picking that scars and spreads bacteria.
Honest about scope.
We treat acne; we don’t cure it. We’ll tell you when dermatologist involvement makes more sense.
Series-based approach.
Single facials feel good but don’t fix acne. We design a series and home routine that work together.
Acne type assessed at intake.
Comedonal, inflammatory, hormonal, cystic — different acne types respond to different protocols.
Sterile extraction technique.
Disposable tools, sanitized equipment, no shortcuts.
No upselling unrelated services.
If you have active acne, we won’t dermaplane you, microneedle you, or sell you a peel that’ll make it worse. We treat the acne first, then build from there.
How the Acne Facial Works
A licensed esthetician works through a structured protocol designed specifically for active acne:
- 1.Double cleanse to remove makeup, sunscreen, sebum, and surface debris
- 2.Steam to soften pores and prep for extraction
- 3.Enzyme or gentle acid exfoliation to dissolve dead cells and loosen comedones
- 4.Professional extractions — manual removal of comedones (blackheads/whiteheads), pustules where appropriate, and other non-inflamed lesions using sterile technique
- 5.Targeted actives — salicylic acid for oily/comedonal skin, mandelic acid for sensitive or pigmented skin, sulfur masks for inflammation, blue LED light for bacterial activity
- 6.Calming and barrier-supporting layer to reduce post-extraction redness and inflammation
- 7.SPF and discussion of home routine
The session focuses on what acne actually needs — not what feels luxurious. Some areas of the face will feel intense during extraction. That’s the point.
Acne Types — Different Facial Approaches
Comedonal acne (blackheads, whiteheads)
Best response to extractions, salicylic acid, retinoid home care, and consistent monthly facials. Often the most satisfying acne to treat in-spa because progress is visible.
Inflammatory acne (papules, pustules)
Requires gentler in-spa work — too-aggressive extractions worsen inflammation. Calming actives, sulfur, blue LED, and sometimes shorter, more frequent sessions. Home routine matters as much as the facial.
Hormonal acne
Pattern across the lower face, jawline, and chin — often cyclical with menstrual cycles or hormonal shifts. We can manage symptoms but not the underlying hormonal driver. Best results when paired with dermatologist or OB-GYN evaluation.
Cystic acne
Deep, painful nodules under the skin. We do NOT extract cystic lesions — that causes scarring. We focus on calming, barrier support, blue LED, and strongly recommend dermatologist referral for medical-grade treatment (oral medications, prescription topicals, sometimes Accutane).
We’ll evaluate which type(s) you’re dealing with at intake and match the protocol.
What the Acne Facial Does — and Doesn’t
It does:
- Deep-clean clogged pores
- Remove existing comedones (blackheads, whiteheads) through professional extractions
- Reduce surface bacteria and inflammation
- Calm active flares
- Improve skin texture over a series
- Support and accelerate the results of your home routine
It does not:
- Cure acne
- Eliminate cystic or deep nodular acne
- Replace dermatologist care for severe acne
- Work as a one-time fix
- Substitute for consistent home care
- Address hormonal drivers of acne
If you have severe, scarring, or treatment-resistant acne, you need a dermatologist. We’ll tell you that — and we’ll happily complement medical treatment with supportive in-spa work, but we won’t pretend a facial is the answer when it isn’t.
If your skin has active inflammatory or comedonal acne, the acne facial is the right service. HydraFacial is excellent maintenance once acne is controlled — not the right tool for the active phase.
Benefits
- Active management of breakouts under licensed professional care
- Professional extractions instead of at-home picking (which scars)
- Reduced inflammation post-session
- Improved skin texture and tone over a series
- Home routine guidance from someone trained in acne management
- Foundation for transitioning to maintenance skincare once acne is controlled
- Pre-event support when a breakout times itself badly
Who Comes to Pristine for Acne Facials
- Teens and adults dealing with active acne
- Hormonal acne clients managing cyclical flares
- Adults experiencing late-onset acne in 30s, 40s, 50s
- Clients on dermatologist treatment plans needing complementary in-spa support
- Anyone with persistent comedonal congestion (blackheads/whiteheads)
- Clients self-extracting at home and creating scarring
- Pre-event clients with timing-disaster breakouts
What to Expect During Your Appointment
- 1.Detailed intake. Acne history, current skincare, prescription medications (especially topicals like tretinoin or oral medications like Accutane), recent skin reactions, hormonal context, diet/lifestyle factors.
- 2.Skin analysis. Acne type, severity, distribution, secondary concerns (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, scarring).
- 3.Cleanse and steam. Standard prep.
- 4.Enzyme or acid pre-treatment. Loosens comedones for extraction.
- 5.Extractions. This is the working portion. Sensation: pressure, occasional pinching, sometimes uncomfortable. Most clients find specific spots intense but manageable. We stop where we should — pushing too hard scars.
- 6.Calming/treatment phase. Sulfur, salicylic, mandelic, or other actives matched to your skin. Often combined with blue LED.
- 7.Barrier-supporting finish and SPF. Skin is sealed and protected.
- 8.Home routine review. What you should be using, what you should stop using, how to support healing between sessions.
- 9.Series scheduling. Honest plan for the next several visits.
Total appointment: 60–90 minutes.
Pre-Treatment Prep
- Stop retinol/tretinoin 3–5 days before (longer if your skin is sensitive)
- No exfoliating acids (AHA, BHA) for 3 days before
- No waxing on the area for 1 week before
- Tell us if you’re on Accutane (we can NOT perform extractions if you’ve been on Accutane in the last 6 months)
- Tell us about all current skincare products and prescription topicals
- Don’t pick or extract at home in the days before — let us work on intact skin
- Show up with clean, makeup-free skin if possible (we re-cleanse anyway)
Post-Treatment Care
First 24 hours:
- Skin will be pink, sometimes slightly inflamed where extractions were performed — normal
- Mineral SPF 30+ before sun exposure (non-negotiable)
- Skip retinol, AHA/BHA, vitamin C, and benzoyl peroxide for 24–48 hours
- No saunas, hot tubs, or intense workouts the same day
- No makeup directly over freshly extracted areas for 4–6 hours if possible
- Hands off the face — do not pick, squeeze, or “test” extracted spots
Days 2–7:
- Resume normal routine gradually
- Daily SPF
- No waxing or harsh exfoliation on the area for 5–7 days
- No additional extraction at home
- Be patient with any temporary post-inflammatory pinkness — fades over days to weeks
Cadence:
- Active acne: weekly to bi-weekly during the treatment phase
- Improving acne: every 2–3 weeks
- Maintenance once controlled: every 4–6 weeks
- We map the schedule based on your specific skin
Who’s a Candidate — and Who Isn’t
Good candidates
- Active comedonal, inflammatory, or hormonal acne
- Healthy skin barrier (or barrier we can rebuild)
- Willing to commit to a series and consistent home care
- Realistic about timeline (improvement over weeks, not one session)
- Not currently on Accutane or within 6 months of finishing
Not a candidate right now
- Active Accutane use or within 6 months of finishing — Accutane thins skin and impairs healing; extractions on Accutane skin can cause scarring
- Severe cystic acne (we can offer calming-only protocols, but you need a dermatologist for the actual treatment)
- Open wounds, active infections, impetigo, or staph infection
- Active cold sore outbreak in the area
- Recent chemical peel, microneedling, or laser within 2 weeks
- Severe rosacea flare (different protocol entirely)
- Pregnancy (some actives like salicylic acid have restrictions — we’ll modify)
- Allergies to ingredients in standard acne protocols (patch test history)
Important — if you’re on Accutane
Accutane (isotretinoin) thins the skin dramatically and impairs healing. Extractions on Accutane skin can cause tearing, prolonged inflammation, and scarring. Industry standard is 6 months off Accutane before any facial that includes extractions. We can offer calming, barrier-supporting protocols without extractions for clients on or recently off Accutane — disclose at intake.
This is not a sales pitch. Picking acne at home is one of the leading causes of acne scarring. Even one cystic lesion squeezed wrong can leave a permanent indented scar. If you’re a habitual picker, professional extractions on a regular schedule are the most effective way to break the cycle.
The Pristine Membership
Members receive one hour of massage therapy or a facial every month — your choice, every month — plus member-only pricing on additional services and priority booking across all three locations. One flat monthly rate. No contracts. The membership has been part of Pristine since day one because consistent clients deserve consistent value.
Learn More About MembershipsPristine Membership gets you one service per month at member pricing, rollover credits, guest passes, and priority booking. For acne clients, membership maps cleanly to consistent monthly facials during the maintenance phase. During the active treatment phase (weekly/bi-weekly sessions), we’ll guide you on the most cost-effective package structure — often outside standard membership.
Treat Now, Pay Later
We offer flexible financing through Cherry, CareCredit, and Allē so cost doesn't stand between you and the treatment you want. Apply online before your appointment or ask at booking.
View Payment PlansFor acne treatment series, especially when paired with home product packages or LED therapy add-ons, break it into monthly payments with Cherry, CareCredit, or Allē. Soft credit check, decisions in seconds, no hit to your score to apply.
Our licensed estheticians are trained at Pristine Beauty Academy, our own accredited school offering esthetics, laser, and nail licensing programs in the Central Florida area. Pristine Beauty Academy
Many of our licensed estheticians trained at Pristine Beauty Academy, our accredited esthetics, laser, and nail school. Acne management — including extraction technique, contraindication screening, acne type assessment, and home care guidance — is a core part of the esthetics curriculum. The estheticians performing your acne facial hold those credentials and understand the difference between treating acne and aggravating it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Para Nuestros Lectores en Español
El facial para acné en Pristine es un tratamiento dirigido para acné activo — no un servicio de relajación. Incluye limpieza profunda, extracciones profesionales, sueros calmantes y guía personalizada para tu rutina diaria. Los mejores resultados vienen de una serie de sesiones combinada con cuidado consistente en casa. Te decimos honestamente cuándo el acné requiere también la evaluación de un dermatólogo. Respira, relájate, y déjate llevar.
Related Services
Once your acne is under control, the acne facial transitions into supporting services for scarring, pigmentation, and maintenance.
HydraFacial
Maintenance facial once acne is controlled — not the right tool for active flares.
Chemical Peels
For post-acne PIH and texture once acne is stable.
Microneedling
Acne scarring treatment after acne is controlled.
LED Facial
Blue light for bacterial acne, often layered into acne facials.
See All Facial Services
Explore the full menu of Pristine facial treatments.
Book Acne Facial at Your Location
Acne Facial is available at all three Pristine Spas locations. Choose yours to book.
Acne Is Stubborn. It’s Also Treatable When You Stop Looking for Shortcuts.
Series-based facials, honest home care guidance, and dermatologist referral when that’s the right call. No shortcuts, no shame, just the work. If you want it done right, you make the trip to Pristine.