Acne and Cyst Treatment in San Francisco, CA

Ready to get started?

Book Now

About Acne/Cyst Treatment

Millions of Americans currently suffer from acne, making it the most common skin disease in the country. Also known as acne vulgaris, acne is a skin condition that most of us have experienced at some point in our lives and one of the top reasons patients first book an appointment at our clinic. The good news is we have so many different ways to successfully treat acne! Our expert team is armed with the knowledge and experience to help navigate you to the best choice for your unique skin and lifestyle.

Some of our treatment methods:

  • For milder cases of acne, prescription topicals that contain salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin, and/or spironolactone can help. There are also oral antibiotics, such as doxycycline, minocycline, or tetracycline that may clear up the skin.
  • For more severe cases of cystic acne, our prescribers may recommend a course of Isotretinoin (Accutane). We realize Accutane isn't the right choice for everyone and offer alternatives.
  • In addition to topical and oral prescriptions, microdermabrasion treatments, such as HydrafacialMD or DiamondGlow can help clear up skin and prevent further breakouts by deep cleaning the pores and exfoliating the skin.
  • Laser treatments can help reduce redness, scarring and and hyperpigmentation.
  • Chemical peels and microneedling may also help depending on the type of acne. Once the patient’s acne is clear, we have several cosmetic options to diminish acne scarring including the Fraxel re:pair skin resurfacing laser, Morpheus8 and Vascular Laser (aka Vbeam).

We know everyone can have clear, glowing skin and if you're interested in how our board-certified dermatologists can do that for you, book a consultation today!

Best Candidates

A “flare-up” of acne can occur for a number of different reasons, including hormonal fluctuations associated with puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. In addition, certain medications and drugs, as well as stress and a poor diet can also cause acne. Once the causes, of acne are diagnosed, a proper treatment plan can be established. No matter what is causing your acne, we can help you have clearer skin.

Teenage Acne

No one has more trouble with acne and cysts than teenagers. Blemishes on the face can potentially lead to long-term self-esteem problems. While there are plenty of over-the-counter acne medications and treatments, these do not take into account the root causes of acne (hormones, genetics, certain medications, oil-based makeup, or stress). Instead of wasting money on ineffective over-the-counter treatments, teens can get better results with the expertise of one of our board-certified dermatologists or our physician’s assistant. Our medical professionals will assess your skin and develop a customized treatment plan to treat your acne. 

Bay Area Cosmetic Dermatology is an office I trust to have the equipment, skills and experience to take care of all of my medical and aesthetic dermatological needs. They stay up to date with the most current technologies and techniques, so I know I’m getting the best treatment the medical profession has, to help address everything from acne to sun damage and the effects of aging on my delicate skin. I’ve been a patient of this office for decades, and regularly have people comment on how youthful and healthy my face looks (has a bit to do with genetics but much more to do with the care I get from BACS). I *strongly* recommend you schedule a visit to BACS for top-notch medical care that will keep your skin healthy, and will help you maintain a highly natural youthful aesthetic.

L. Google

Ari did a fantastic job treating my acne scars. She is so highly skilled and kind to boot.

M.K. Google

Dr Austin took my decent mid-50's skin and flagging self-esteem and made them really, really great. She flawlessly filled old acne scars, removed pre-cancer bits and rosacea, smoothed wrinkles, snatched up my jawline and explained how anatomy and biochem work during my visits. She's made a long-term plan for me and all her patients that seem like the minimum of highly effective things, so we all look startlingly better but still believable and healthy. Dr Austin is gentle, rational and super trustworthy. She's like a wizard. Her team is awesome, too.

K.K. Google

I've tried so many skin care products to address my acne, scars, and texture over the years and nothing worked. Then I went to a "medical spa" to treat my skin issues, which was a big mistake because most med spas just hire sales reps who are not medically trained or certified. They burned my face badly, did not know how to fix it, and told me to try products that made the condition even worse. That was when I decided to consult a dermatologist for a second opinion and was so lucky I found Dr. Austin at BACD!During the initial consultation, Dr. Austin explained what was causing my skin problems, came up with a treatment plan, and answered all of my questions. She's an expert in her field with extensive medical knowledge about how skin reacts to multiple factors such as lifestyle choices or other medical conditions, and I trust that she's considering everything holistically whenever she recommends a treatment. It has been 6 months ever since I started seeing Dr. Austin and my skin looks better than ever. Not only did Dr. Austin fix the damage from the last med spa I went to, but multiple friends have told me that I'm aging in reverse! :) As other reviews mentioned, BACD isn't cheap, but you get what you pay for. I'm thrilled with my care, trust the professional staff members here, and highly recommend seeing Dr. Austin for any skin concerns.

D.C. Yelp

I flew from Boston to see Dr. Austin and it was absolutely worth it! Hands down, I get the best outcome and value every time I visit BACD and I’ll be back!

E.S. Yelp

92

Total Reviews

4.9

Average Rating

Get In Touch

Easily book a consultation with one of our experts today!

What to Expect

-Research shows that over-the-counter ointments are not proven to effectively treat severe acne. Our dermatology office offers many treatment options to control and manage acne and clear its symptoms.

For milder cases of acne, prescription topicals that contain salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin, and/or spironolactone can help. We compound prescription-strength acne products right here in our office, so there is no need to go to the pharmacy. There are also oral antibiotics, such as doxycycline, minocycline, or tetracycline that may clear up the skin. For more severe cases of cystic acne, our prescribers may recommend a course of Isotretinoin (Accutane). Our team is experienced with the FDA-mandated iPledge program and are able to accommodate all of the requirements of the program.

In addition to topical and oral prescriptions, microdermabrasion treatments, such as HydrafacialMD or DiamondGlow can help clear up skin and prevent further breakouts by deep cleaning the pores and exfoliating the skin. Laser treatments can help reduce redness, scarring and and hyperpigmentation. Chemical peels and microneedling may also help depending on the type of acne. Once the patient’s acne is clear, we have several cosmetic options to diminish acne scarring including the Fraxel re:pair skin resurfacing laser and the Candela Vbeam Perfecta laser. 

Other Considerations

Our patients who have the best results closely follow their recommended skin care regimen and treatment plan. At Bay Area Cosmetic Dermatology, we have found that the key to clear skin is consistent use of recommended prescription and cosmetic products and regular follow up appointments with one of our dermatologists or our physician’s assistant. The great news is that with our help plus your dedication, you can have acne-free skin! 

All Photos
About Us

Treat Your Acne Today

We truly believe everyone can have better skin. Stop suffering from painful and embarrassing acne and call our office today to schedule an acne consultation. We will provide a thorough skin analysis and create a tailored treatment plan to help clear up your complexion as quickly as possible.

*Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary from person to person. Images may contain models.