Acne Treatment
Key Takeaways
Acne develops from several factors, including excess oil, clogged pores, bacteria, hormones, and genetics, so effective care targets more than surface symptoms.
Different acne types, such as comedonal, inflammatory, hormonal, and nodulocystic acne, respond best to tailored treatment plans.
Mirror Plastic Surgery combines prescription skincare, in-office procedures, and peptide therapies to address both active breakouts and underlying drivers.
Thoughtful preparation, recovery care, and lifestyle support help improve results and maintain clearer skin over time.
Mirror Plastic Surgery offers personalized acne and peptide protocols with Stephanie DeSimone, PA-C; schedule a consultation to explore your options.
Understanding Acne: Causes, Types, and Impact on Skin Health
Acne affects skin health and confidence, so understanding why breakouts occur helps you choose the right treatment.
What Causes Acne? Identifying the Root Factors
Excess sebum production occurs when overactive sebaceous glands produce too much oil, which can mix with dead skin cells and clog pores.
The bacterium Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) thrives in these clogged, low-oxygen follicles. Bacterial activity of Propionibacterium acnes multiplies in clogged follicles, triggering inflammation and leading to inflammatory acne lesions.
Hormones can intensify this process. Androgens increase oil production, so acne often flares during puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause. High growth hormone (GH) and IGF-1 levels can also worsen acne.
The immune system reacts to clogged follicles and bacteria. Inflammation from immune response to bacteria in follicles, causing redness, swelling, pimples, or cysts can follow. Genetics matter as well, and approximately 80% of acne cases have a familial link. Certain drugs, including hormones, corticosteroids, and lithium, may aggravate breakouts in some people certain medications including hormones, corticosteroids, and lithium.
Recognizing Different Types of Acne
Identifying your acne type guides which treatments will be most effective.
Comedonal acne involves clogged pores without much redness. Whiteheads are small, flesh-colored or whitish bumps that occur when a hair follicle is completely blocked beneath the skin's surface. Blackheads form when the follicle is partially blocked and the plug darkens on contact with air.
Inflammatory acne includes red, tender bumps. Papules are raised and firm, while pustules have a visible white or yellow center filled with pus.
Nodulocystic acne is deeper and more painful. Nodules are large, solid, painful lumps located deep beneath the skin's surface. Cysts are large, pus-filled lesions that often scar.
Hormonal acne often centers around the jawline and lower face. Hormonal acne typically appears as deep, painful cysts and nodules around the jawline, chin, and neck. Fungal acne is caused by an overgrowth of yeast in hair follicles, manifesting as small, itchy, uniform bumps, often on the chest, back, and face, and needs different treatment than bacterial acne.
Why Mirror Plastic Surgery Focuses on Personalized Acne Care
Mirror Plastic Surgery uses a concierge-style approach that centers on your specific skin, health history, and goals.
Visits with Stephanie DeSimone, PA-C, often last up to an hour so there is time to understand triggers, review past treatments, and connect acne with overall health. Recommendations follow a clear priority order: safety, function, then aesthetics.
Book an appointment with Stephanie to discuss a plan tailored to your type of acne and lifestyle.
Meet Stephanie DeSimone, PA-C: Focused on Acne and Peptide Therapies
Stephanie DeSimone, PA-C, leads peptide therapy and non-surgical aesthetics at Mirror Plastic Surgery. Her background in mathematics, surgical anatomy, and metabolic health supports an analytical and practical approach to acne.
Her "less is more" philosophy means treatment plans avoid unnecessary products and focus instead on targeted steps that support skin healing and overall physiology.
Modern Acne Treatment Options at Mirror Plastic Surgery
Mirror Plastic Surgery combines medical acne care, in-office procedures, and peptide protocols to address both symptoms and contributing factors.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Modern Acne Treatments?
Modern acne treatments can help if you have:
Whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, or cysts that persist
Painful inflammatory or nodulocystic acne
Breakouts that do not respond to over-the-counter products
Scarring or dark marks from prior acne
Hormonal breakouts linked to cycles, pregnancy, or menopause
Book an appointment with Stephanie to determine which options match your skin and health profile.
How Mirror Plastic Surgery Treats Acne
Treatment plans may use one approach or a combination, such as:
Prescription topicals, including retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or antibiotics to reduce oil, unclog pores, and lower bacteria
Oral medications, such as antibiotics, hormonal therapies, or isotretinoin for more severe or resistant acne
Medical-grade chemical peels with salicylic or glycolic acid to exfoliate and smooth the skin
Light and laser treatments to reduce bacteria, oil activity, redness, and scarring
Professional extractions and steroid injections for select cysts to reduce pain and scarring risk
Peptide therapies can support deeper drivers of acne, such as inflammation, hormone balance, and tissue repair. BPC-157 supports anti-inflammatory and regenerative activity. KPV targets inflammation in the gut environment, which can influence skin. GHK-CU supports collagen and elastin, which helps with healing and texture. GLP-3R compounding, similar to GLP-1, may support insulin resistance and metabolic balance when these factors relate to acne.
Peptide protocols follow medical evaluation and lab work, so dosing and combinations match your physiology.
Expected Outcomes with Consistent Acne Care
With consistent treatment, many patients see:
Fewer active breakouts and less inflammation
Smoother texture and more even tone
Less frequent flares over time
Improvement in scars and dark marks with targeted therapies
Preparing for Your Acne Treatment Plan
What Happens at Your Consultation
The first visit with Stephanie DeSimone, PA-C, typically lasts 30–60 minutes and covers medical history, skincare routine, lifestyle factors, and past treatments. For peptide plans and complex acne, lab testing may be recommended to look for hormonal or metabolic contributors.
Simple Pre-Treatment Steps
Before certain procedures, you may be asked to:
Pause some topical products, such as strong retinoids or exfoliants
Limit sun exposure and use broad-spectrum sunscreen
Share a complete list of medications and supplements, especially before peptides
Increase hydration to support skin health
Recovery and Post-Treatment Care
How to Care for Skin After Treatment
Post-treatment care usually includes:
Gentle cleansing without scrubbing
Use of non-comedogenic moisturizer to protect the skin barrier
Daily SPF 30 or higher and strict sun protection
Following all oral, topical, and peptide instructions closely
Avoiding picking or squeezing pimples
Typical Healing Timeline
Topical and oral medications often show early changes in 4–6 weeks, with clearer improvement at around 2–3 months. Chemical peels may cause redness and flaking for 3–7 days. Laser and light treatments can create short-term redness and swelling, and usually work best in a series. Peptide therapies often show gradual improvement in inflammation, skin clarity, and overall well-being over several weeks to months.
Activity Guidelines After Procedures
After many in-office treatments, heavy exercise, hot yoga, saunas, and very hot showers are limited for 24–48 hours. Deeper peels and more intensive lasers may require stricter sun avoidance and longer downtime, which will be reviewed in advance.
What to Avoid in Acne Treatment
Common Misconceptions
Several beliefs can interfere with effective care:
Acne can persist into adulthood and often needs treatment, not waiting
Over-washing and harsh scrubbing can worsen acne instead of "cleaning it up"
Greasy food alone does not directly cause acne; diet effects are more complex
Sun exposure may mask redness briefly but can worsen acne and pigmentation over time
Popping pimples increases inflammation, infection risk, and scarring
Why Specialized Guidance Matters
Working with a qualified specialist helps you avoid unproven home remedies and overuse of products that can irritate skin or delay helpful treatment. At Mirror Plastic Surgery, evaluation includes your skin exam, health history, and, when appropriate, lab work to build a safe, realistic plan.
Book an appointment with Stephanie for structured, individualized acne care.
Cost of Modern Acne Treatments at Mirror Plastic Surgery
Pricing depends on acne severity, chosen medications and procedures, and follow-up needs. During your consultation, you receive a transparent review of recommended options and related costs so you can match your plan to your goals and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions About Modern Acne Treatments
Q: Can dietary changes really impact my acne?
A: Diet is rarely the only factor, but high glycemic foods, dairy, and processed foods may worsen acne for some people. Stephanie can discuss whether nutrition adjustments make sense for your situation.
Q: How long does it take to see results from modern acne treatments?
A: Many people notice early improvement in 4–6 weeks with topical or oral medications, with clearer changes by 2–3 months. Peptide benefits often build over several months. Consistency with the plan is important.
Q: Are peptide therapies safe for acne, given they are not FDA-regulated?
A: Many peptides are used off-label and are not FDA-approved as traditional drugs. At Mirror Plastic Surgery, peptides come from vetted pharmacies with batch testing, and all protocols follow an in-depth medical evaluation and supervision by Stephanie DeSimone, PA-C.
Q: Will acne treatments help with my existing acne scars?
A: Chemical peels, laser treatments, and peptides such as GHK-CU that support collagen can improve the look of scars and dark marks. Your consultation will cover options tailored to your scarring pattern.
Q: Can acne come back after successful treatment?
A: Acne often behaves like a chronic condition. Maintenance strategies, including ongoing skincare, occasional in-office treatments, or continued peptide support, can help keep skin clearer over time.
Book a Consultation for Modern Acne Treatments
You can take the first step toward clearer, healthier skin by scheduling a dedicated consultation at Mirror Plastic Surgery. Our team will assess your acne, review your history, and design a structured treatment and maintenance plan.
Schedule your consultation for modern acne and peptide treatments.
Call/Text: 727-361-6515
Email: hello@mirrorplasticsurgery.com
Visit: 780 4th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
*Disclaimer: Results may vary from person to person. Editorial content, before and after images, and patient testimonials do not constitute a guarantee of specific results.
*Disclaimer: Peptide therapy is intended for wellness and optimization purposes and is not prescribed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease unless specifically stated. Many peptides are not FDA-approved and may be used off-label. Some have limited long-term safety data, with a potential for unknown risks, complications, or desensitization with prolonged use.
