
It might be summer break for you and your kiddos, but that doesn’t mean acne takes a break from targeting you or your teens. Breakouts happen year round, and you and/or your teen might be struggling to find something that actually works for their skin.
If the typical creams, lotions, washes, and patches aren’t working, then please allow us to step-in with something more effective and cutting-edge to banish your blemishes once and for all.
At About Face Aesthetics, we have been specializing in acne treatments since 2008 and we’d love to share our knowledge with you.
Why Choose About Face?
For over 15 years, About Face Aesthetics has been dedicated to meeting the aesthetic med spa demands within the Philly region. Within our Center City Philadelphia-based facility, our highly trained professionals perform premier medical spa procedures.
Our Founding & History
About Face was founded in 2011 by Naomi Fenlin based on her desire to establish a distinguished medical spa and aesthetics practice that utilized the best technology, skincare products, and treatment protocols to deliver real results to her clients. With a diverse educational and professional history, Naomi built a distinctive med spa that is dedicated to enhancing clients’ outward appearance and boost their self-confidence.

The aesthetic industry has advanced by leaps and bounds since 2011, and our team loves the challenge of constantly having new options and modalities to learn about and utilize. We prioritize ongoing learning and development to guarantee our patients receive safe and effective treatments to acheive their desired skin goals.
Our advanced expertise and experience in the realm of medical aesthetics set us apart, we offer an unparalleled level of care. Over the years we have added on the best new moadlieist as they become available, and we now offer a full range of aesthetic treatments ranging from DiamondGlow facials, to AviClear Acne Treatments, to Sculptra volume enhancement, to neck rejuvenation with Botox.
Most Common Acne Causes
At the time of About Face’s “birth”, acne treatment was our predominant focus, and it has been fascinating to watch the world of acne treatment options in Philadelphia evolve over the decades. Treatment options and protocols may change, but the causes of acne are always the same. Some of the most common acne causes are hormonal changes during puberty and/or genetically having an oilier skin type, but there are definitely other factors as well!
Identifying the cause behind your acne can reveal clues about the best way to treat it. Rather than approaching acne-prone skin with the same blanket solution for every single person, we will always tailor your treatment plan to address the underlying problem and make sure we are providing the most effective treatment.
* Puberty & Hormones
The hormonal shifts that occur when we go through different stages of puberty can have a big impact on the skin. Testosterone is the most common hormone to cause acne issues, and the effect of this will vary greatly from person to person.
* Naturally Oily Skin
There are 5-designated types of skin—normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive—each with its own set of characteristics. If you have “oily” skin, you are naturally more likely to deal with pimples and breakouts due to the extra oil and sebum your skin produces.
Sebum is an oily substance that helps keep our skin hydrated and healthy, but too much of it can cause problems for your complexion and natural shedding / regeneration process. Excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells on the surface of your skin, and this sticky combo clogs the hair-follicle. Once that pore is plugged up, a pimple is born.
* Genetics
Genetics also plays a huge part in how our skin behaves and looks. Although genetics are someting we have no control over, we are blessed to live in a time where there are so many cutting-edge acne treatments available to us.
* Menstruation & Pregnancy
Massive horomone changes are occuring during menstruation and pregnancy, with estrogen and progesterone levels precipitously rising and dropping. It is quite normal (albiet frustrating) to see the occurence of acne breakouts flow and ebb along with the cycle of hormone changes.
* Diet
Some studies suggest that diet can have a big impact on the likliehood of acne breakouts. Certain findings point to the notion that foods which cause inflammation, or rises and drops in blood-sugar levels (such as dairy, sugar, refined carbs, and more) can be major catalysts for pimples. Anecdotedly some people report skin improvements when they avoid some of these foods, but it’s extremely hard to have the self-control to avoid all the foods on the “naughty” list indefinitely.
* Makeup & Skincare Products
Depending on your natural, baseline skin type, certain products will work better for your skin than others. If you have oily skin or are prone to acne breakouts, it is important to look for products labeled as “noncomedonegenic” (i.e. won’t clog your pores) and preferably are mineral-based. Additionally, it can be helpful to make sure to incorporate the right kind of exfoliating products for your skin type to aid in keeping your pores flushed out and clear.
(The way makeup products are applied can also be a source of breakouts. Make sure to periodically clean your brushes and / or swap out your makeup sponges and applicators to minimize the amount of bacteria and germs your skin is exposed to.)
Our Acne Solutions for You
No matter what stage of life you are in, no one likes getting acne.
Thankfully, About Face Aesthetics offers a wide range of acne treatments in Philadelphia that treat active breakouts, can stop pimples before they appear, and erase signs of past breakouts.
* Targeted Medical Facials
We combine medical-grade products with expert, custom care to give you the best skincare experience to address your concerns.
You can generally expect a deep massaging cleanse that helps with lymphatic drainage, extractions if needed, and infusion with medical-grade skincare products selected per the needs of the specific client. Some facials can be further customized to include a peel or mask to brighten and reduce the appearance of fine lines, pores, and discoloration.
* Chemical Peels
Whereas facials are designed as a “feel good” treatment option for skin improvement, chemical peels can make more signifigant changes.
Each chemical peel contains unique ingredients tailored for specific purposes, and although the formulation varies the end-goal always remains the same: the top layers of skin are forced to rapidly exfoliate and eliminate those damaged layers.
Once the skin completes the shedding or flaking portion of the chemical peel, the fresher and revitalized skin underneath is revealed.
But, you shouldn’t get a chemical peel if:
Certain chemical peels are not ideal to do during summer, as many have suntans and even sunburns can make the skin more susceptible to burning. With that said, we have some options that we can offer to you for your acne concerns this summer. If you are interested in using chemical peels for acne treatments in Philadelphia, talk to our experts about what might work for you!
Other common things that make chemical peels not ideal: if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, regularly use a retinol, or recently had a laser treatment. This is information you don’t neccesarily need to worry about though, we’ll make sure any treatment is safe and appropriate for you before starting anything.
* AviClear Acne Treatment
We were thrilled to add the AviClear to our acne arsenal, this is the first aesthetic device developed specifically for the treatment of acne in YEARS. In the simplest terms, AviClear works like a more targetted version of a very popular acne medication, but only treats the face instead of the medication which effects the entire body. The AviClear uses a special form of laser energy to damage and dry up the sebum glands, thereby preventing the occurence of future breakouts. Data shows 92% of AviClear patients are happy with their results 12-months later, and results are supposed to last years (if not forever).
AviClear is our new go-to option for eradication stubborn acne, and we have developed a propietary acne protocol to help clear your current acne, prevent future acne, and help your skin look like you never had acne. For more information about AviClear, please click here or if you’d like to schedule a consultation to learn if this option is right for you, click here.
Get Started This Summer With Acne Treatments in Philadelphia!🙋♀️
At About Face Aesthetics, we’re all about providing a personalized, made-for-you experience.
When the best care meets the most effective and advanced aesthetic technology, you know you’re in for a transformative experience. You deserve nothing less than the best, and you shouldn’t have to settle for anything but the latest and greatest.
Exceeding your expectations is always our goal. No matter your age, gender, skin tone, or skin type, we want you to be happy with your results, and even more importantly, we want you to be happy with yourself.
Give us a call or send us a message if you’re ready to book an appointment or if you’d like to know more about acne treatments in Philadelphia. We’d love to hear from you!
In the meantime, you can use our Virtual Consult tool to get instant treatment recommendations based on your needs and goals.
About Face is all about you!