Acne Specialist in NYC
Led By a Board-Certified Dermatologist
Expert Acne Treatment by a Board Certified Dermatologist
Acne can be an incredibly distressing condition, affecting not just the skin but also a person’s confidence and well-being. Having personally battled acne during his youth, Dr. Arash Akhavan has developed a deep passion for helping New York City patients achieve clear, healthy skin.
At The Dermatology and Laser Group, led by a Board Certified Dermatologist, we bring a profound understanding of the skin to every treatment plan. What sets us apart is our extensive range of therapeutic options, including lifestyle modifications, tailored skincare routines, prescription medications, facials, lasers, and other advanced procedures. We’re committed to finding the most effective treatment for your unique skin needs.
Over-The-Counter Options
Over-the-counter topicals and nutraceuticals play a significant role in acne therapy at The Dermatology and Laser Group. Dr. Arash Akhavan and our expert aestheticians will curate a personalized selection of products to complement our other acne treatments, ensuring a comprehensive approach to your skincare.
Acne Procedures
We offer a range of top-tier acne treatment procedures at our office, including The Clarifying Hydrafacial Acne Treatment, FDA-cleared acne lasers, and chemical peels specifically designed to target and improve acne.Acne Prescriptions
As a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Arash Akhavan is an expert in the full spectrum of therapeutic options for acne, including all forms of prescription medications. Whether topical or oral, these prescriptions can be tailored to your specific needs and used to complement our in-office treatment options.Acne: Types, Causes, and Triggers
What is Acne?
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions, affecting millions of people worldwide, regardless of age or gender. Pores become clogged with oil (sebum) and dead skin cells, leading to the formation of pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and sometimes more severe lesions like cysts and nodules. Acne primarily appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back, and shoulders due to the high concentration of sebaceous (oil) glands in these areas. The condition is not just a cosmetic concern; it can have a significant impact on a person’s self-esteem and quality of life, making effective treatment and management crucial.
Types of Acne
Understanding the type of acne is essential in determining the most effective therapy.
- Blackheads (Open Comedones): Blackheads are small, dark lesions that appear on the skin due to pores clogged with oil and dead skin. They get their dark color from the oxidation of the clogged material when it’s exposed to air, not from dirt.
- Whiteheads (Closed Comedones): Whiteheads form when a clogged pore remains closed at the surface of the skin, creating a small, flesh-colored bump.
- Papules: Papules are small, red, raised bumps caused by inflamed or pores. They can be tender to the touch and are often a sign that the comedonal acne has progressed.
- Pustules: Pustules are similar to papules but are filled with pus, giving them a white or yellow center.
- Nodules: Nodules are large, solid, painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin. Unlike papules and pustules, nodules are deeper and can cause significant scarring
- Cysts: Cysts are the most severe form of acne, characterized by large, pus-filled lumps beneath the skin. They are painful and can lead to permanent scarring.
Potential Causes and Triggers of Acne
Acne is a multifactorial condition, meaning it can be triggered by a variety of factors, both internal and external. Understanding these causes and triggers is essential for effective treatment and prevention. Hormonal fluctuations, genetics, diet, and stress are internal factors that can contribute to acne. Skin care products, friction on the skin, and environmental factors such as pollutants, humidity, and sweat can also trigger acne or make it worse.
As part of our evaluation process we look for causes of acne in each individual to try to address the root cause of the condition when possible.
Acne Treatment
At The Dermatology and Laser Group, Dr. Arash Akhavan begins every acne treatment journey with a thorough assessment of your skin, taking into account the type, severity, and underlying causes of your acne. Understanding that no two cases are the same, Dr. Akhavan and our expert team customize each treatment plan to address your unique needs, ensuring the most effective and personalized care possible. Whether through advanced in-office procedures, tailored prescription medications, or carefully selected over-the-counter products, we are committed to helping you achieve clear, healthy skin.
The DLG Acne Treatment Protocol
At The Dermatology and Laser Group, we believe in a holistic and comprehensive approach to acne treatment. Our signature DLG Acne Treatment Protocol often begins with a combination of monthly Clarifying Hydrafacial Treatments and the use of nutraceuticals like Nutrafol Skin or niacinamide supplements. This carefully curated regimen is designed to address all aspects of acne, from surface congestion and excess oil production to deeper, internal factors such as inflammation and overall skin health.
The Clarifying Hydrafacial Treatment is a powerful yet gentle procedure that deeply cleanses and exfoliates the skin, helping to clear clogged pores and reduce the excess oil that contributes to acne formation. By incorporating Nutrafol Skin or niacinamide, we further support your skin from the inside out. These nutraceuticals work to balance your skin's oil production, provide anti-inflammatory benefits, and improve overall skin health, making them an essential component of our acne treatment protocol.
This synergistic approach ensures that we not only treat existing acne but also help prevent future breakouts, offering you clearer, healthier skin with each step of the journey.
The Clarifying Hydrafacial Treatment
The Clarifying Hydrafacial Treatment is a cornerstone of our acne management protocol. This innovative, non-invasive treatment combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, and hydration, all in one session. The procedure starts with a deep cleanse to remove impurities and dead skin cells, followed by a gentle exfoliation and extraction using specialized serums that helps loosen debris and oil trapped within your pores. In studies of acne treatment with Hydrafacial all patients reported clearer skin and 65% reported that they are free of acne.
Nutrafol Skin
Nutrafol Skin is an advanced nutraceutical designed to enhance skin health from within. This supplement is formulated with a powerful blend of ingredients that target the root causes of acne, including hormonal imbalances, inflammation, and the microbiome of the gut and skin. Nutrafol Skin is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are key contributors to acne development. Nutrafol Skin can be purchased in our office, on our online store The DLG Store (at a significant discount), or on the Nutrafol Website. It is also bundled into the cost of The DLG Acne Treatment Protocol at a significant discount.
As Nutrafol Skin was specifically designed for women, we substitute niacinamide supplements for our male patients.
VI Peel Purify with Precision Plus
The VI Peel Purify with Precision Plus is a powerful chemical peel specifically designed to target active acne, acne scars, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This advanced treatment combines the benefits of two distinct formulations—Purify and Precision Plus—to address both the underlying causes of acne and the visible aftermath, leaving your skin clearer, smoother, and more even-toned.
The VI Peel Purify with Precision Plus is suitable for a wide range of skin types, including sensitive skin. It is particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with moderate to severe acne, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation.
m22 IPL for Acne
At The Dermatology and Laser Group we have access to the best technologies for cosmetic treatments. Dr. Arash Akhavan is a consultant and key opinion leader for many device and laser companies, allowing us early access to the most cutting edge treatments. We have used a variety of laser cleared for the treatment of acne over the last decade and have been disappointed by most due to lack of efficacy and/or undesirable side effects.
One device we have been impressed with over the years is the FDA-cleared Lumenis m22 IPL with its Acne Treatment handpiece. The m22 system Acne Treatment uses Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) specifically designed to target the bacteria that contribute to acne, known as Cutibacterium acnes. By emitting light at wavelengths that penetrate the skin and destroy these bacteria, the IPL treatment reduces the frequency and severity of acne breakouts.
One of the significant advantages of the Lumenis M22 Acne Treatment is the minimal downtime associated with the procedure. Most patients experience only mild redness and slight swelling, which typically subsides within a few hours to a day, allowing them to return to their daily activities quickly.
OTC and Prescription Medications
At The Dermatology and Laser Group, we take a comprehensive approach to acne treatment by integrating both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription products into our personalized care plans. Our team, led by Dr. Arash Akhavan, carefully selects products that best suit your skin’s specific needs.
Over-the-counter options, including topicals and nutraceuticals, are often recommended as part of a foundational skincare regimen. These products, such as niacinamide and Nutrafol Skin, help regulate oil production, reduce inflammation, and support overall skin health.
For more targeted treatment, we utilize prescription products that offer potent, clinically proven solutions for managing acne. These may include topical retinoids, antibiotics, or oral medications, tailored to address the severity and type of acne you are experiencing. By combining OTC and prescription products, we ensure a multifaceted approach that not only treats active breakouts but also prevents future acne and improves the overall health and appearance of your skin.
Acne Treatment Patient Testimonials and Google Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
We treat all types of acne, including comedonal acne (blackheads and whiteheads), inflammatory acne (papules and pustules), and more severe forms such as nodules and cysts. Our personalized treatment plans are tailored to your specific type of acne to ensure the most effective results.
Most of our acne treatment plans start with The DLG Acne Treatment Protocol where we combine The Clarifying Hydrafacial Treatment and Nutrafol Skin.
Our approach begins with a thorough assessment of your skin by Dr. Arash Akhavan and our team of skincare experts. We consider factors such as the type and severity of your acne, your skin type, and any underlying causes. Based on this evaluation, we create a customized treatment plan that may include in-office procedures like the Clarifying Hydrafacial or Lumenis M22, as well as at-home care with OTC and prescription products.
Over-the-counter (OTC) products can be very effective for mild to moderate acne, especially when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes professional guidance. However, for more severe or persistent acne, prescription medications may be necessary. At The Dermatology and Laser Group, we often combine OTC products with prescription treatments to provide a holistic and effective solution tailored to your skin’s needs.
We have decided to discontinue the use of the Aviclear laser. Much like our colleagues, we have found the results with Aviclear to be inconsistent. And unfortunately we saw some of our patients even have a worsening of their acne. Some patients of other offices have even reported worsening of acne after Aviclear that led to scarring.
The Aviclear is also very expensive and painful.
For all of these reasons we have decided to discontinue Aviclear.
Yes! Acne scar treatment is actually one of our most popular treatments at The Dermatology and Laser Group. We treat acne scars with our many laser options, microneedling, and chemical peels. Dr. Arash Akhavan uses his expertise as one of New York’s top cosmetic physicians to customize the best treatment for each patient.
This Page is Authored By: Arash Akhavan, M.D., board-certified dermatologist, and founder and owner of The Dermatology and Laser Group in New York City.