Acne & Acne Scarring
Book NowAcne is one of the most frustrating of common skin conditions that affects all ages and skin types. It can be caused by hormones, bacteria, medications, or skin conditions, but all result in the congestion and inflammation of hair follicles resulting in lesions that include whiteheads, blackheads, comedones, papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts. Halcyon Cosmetic Clinic is in Port Moody, although acne sufferers come to us from Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and beyond for acne treatments customized to treat their specific acne issues.
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At Halcyon Cosmetic Clinic our licensed, experienced medical aestheticians also see acne caused by over-treatment of skin. Yes, stripping the skin of its natural oils, and disrupting its protective barrier can cause dehydration resulting in overcompensation of excessive oil production.
Along with the pain and embarrassment of acne comes the potential for complications to last years beyond the active lesions. These include hyperpigmentation (red or brown discolouration), hypopigmentation (permanent absence of pigment, often due to picking), and permanent scars ranging from mild to very serious, lumps and divots.
At Halcyon Cosmetic Clinic we prefer to avoid systemic treatments whenever possible but understand that controlling and preventing lesions before they result in scar tissue is critical. We provide customized treatments that aim to restore your skin and your confidence with little, to no, downtime.
Occasional Acne – Where Do I Start?
Shorten outbreaks and avoid complications including infection, long-term discolouration, and potential scar formation, while revealing fresh, glowing skin.
- Basic Custom Facial
If you have no idea where to start, are between other services, or have active acne lesions that require a little TLC, this basic preventative and maintenance facial is gentle, great for all ages and skin types, and appropriate any time of year. - Acne Facial
If active lesions are present, a thorough cleanse and steam is followed by safe, professional extractions and medical-grade products to calm inflammation, replace moisture, and support the skin barrier. - Chemical Peel Facial
During, or just before active lesions are present, a professional cleanse is followed by chemical peel exfoliation to remove buildup of debris and boost cellular turnover, safe extractions are performed if required, and medical-grade products are selected to calm inflammation, replace moisture, and support the skin barrier. - IPL Photo Facial
During, or just before active lesions, if typical skin response involves inflammation, redness or discolouration, IPL will mitigate these symptoms while reducing bacteria to control your outbreak. Custom filters and treatment parameters are selected to address your specific concerns. - Medical-Grade Products
While SkinCeuticals Blemish & Age is an effective daily serum to prevent long-term acne complications, it’s also great to have on hand as a spot treatment for occasional blemishes.
Frequent Acne – What Can I Do?
Individual treatments can be beneficial in the short term, but consistency and commitment are required to effect long term change and avoid further complications.
- Acne Facial Package
An Acne Facial package is ideal to focus on frequent lesions that require extractions. Extractions must be done safely to prevent long-term scarring and discolouration. - Chemical Peel Facial Package
A Chemical Peel Facial package is perfect to focus on frequent acne caused by congestion and compromised cellular turnover but does not necessarily require significant extractions. - IPL Photo Facial Package
If frequent acne results in inflammation, redness, and discolouration, a package of focussed IPLs will control these symptoms, while minimizing proliferation of bacteria to prevent further lesions.
BONUS: To maximize results of all 3 packages above, receive 10% off skincare on the day of each treatment.
How Do I Maintain Results?
You’re on a roll, don’t stop now! Once your acne is controlled, keep it at bay with any one of our 12-month Facial Memberships.
- Facial Memberships
Meet with a licensed and experienced medical aesthetician to determine which facial membership is best for you. Memberships can be paid up front or monthly and include a full year of savings on all skincare products as well as savings on additional clinic services.
Severe, Cystic Acne
Severe, cystic acne usually does not fully respond to topical treatments and requires a systemic approach. Speak to our medical doctor to review the benefits and risks of:
- Localized Steroid Injection – for particularly painful cyst
- Topical or Oral Antibiotics – whether a course of low-dose antibiotics might work for you
- Oral Isotretinoin – whether a course of prescription medication is right for you
Acne Treatments FAQ
If I book a product consultation, will I experience pressure to purchase products beyond my budget?
No, no, and no. We despise high pressure sales and are here to provide you with accurate information to make an informed decision. A long-term relationship based on trust and honest, ethical, care is far more important to us than one quick sale.
How can I justify the price of medical-grade skincare products over drugstore brands?
Medical-grade products do not just talk the talk, they are backed by published, peer-reviewed, scientific studies that prove their efficacy. There is a cost associated with these studies, as well as with formulating products with effective, active ingredients. The cost of treatments required for permanent discolouration or scarring, not to mention the risks associated with these treatments, should also be considered.
I would love to jump right in with an entire skincare product regimen, but I’m not sure it’s in my budget.
We can relate and have done our best to accommodate. We offer affordable financing, including Sezzle, which can break your purchase up into 4 no interest payments over 6 weeks, and iFinance Canada by Medicard, which offers monthly payments ranging from 6 months to 5 years. Consider extending your payments over the life expectancy of the products.
What is a Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel is the application of an acidic solution to your skin. Its purpose is to break down the “glue” that binds cells of the top layer(s) together. This allows for more effective exfoliation and minimizes the number of loose cells available to contribute to congestion and inflammation
Are all Chemical Peels the same?
No. Products described as chemical peels can be purchased over the counter but differ greatly from professional, medical grade peels. There are also various types of peels, all selected to address your specific concerns.
What is IPL
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. It is the application of filtered wavelengths of light that are absorbed by certain targets in skin. IPL is the “gold standard” for treating both redness and pigmented lesions with minimal to no downtime.
Are all IPL treatments the same?
No. IPLs variy from table-top spa machines worth $2500 to medical-grade equipment worth well over $100,000. As important as the equipment itself though, is your provider’s education and experience with the equipment. IPL treatments settings must push towards optimal results while still managing the health and safety of your skin. You may find repeated treatments to slowly get more aggressive as your practitioner becomes more familiar with your skin.
I have occasional acne, and understand the options but am confused about price, what should I do?
If you know what you want, you can check out our pricing page, or email us to request a quote.
I have occasional acne and would like to try a treatment, but I fall somewhere between the service options listed. What should I do?
Contact us or jump online and book an Advanced Medical Facial. Upon arriving and consulting with our aesthetician, this service allows enough time to be converted to the service that is best for you.
I have frequent acne and would like to purchase a package, but I’m not sure which one is best for me. What should I do?
As above, contact us or jump online and book an Advanced Medical Facial. Upon arriving and consulting with our aesthetician, this service allows enough time to be converted to any of the package services best for you.
Are there contraindications to these services?
Yes. We will ask you for a full history including current and past skincare products and medications. We may postpone your treatment if you are using skincare with exfoliating ingredients, are new to Retinol, have had dermal filler or wrinkle injections in the previous 2 weeks, or if you have recently taken certain prescription medications.
Do you ever refuse to do an acne treatment?
Yes. There are occasions where client expectations are not realistic or where we choose not to proceed for other reasons.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash, debit, credit cards, and Sezzle, as well as offer financing through iFinance by Medicard.