Acne can be frustrating, especially when breakouts keep coming back or leave marks that stay long after the spots have cleared.
You might be dealing with regular breakouts, dark marks, uneven skin texture or indented acne scars. Sometimes, it’s a bit of everything.
The tricky part is knowing what you’re actually dealing with and which treatment will make a difference.
At Vista Clinic, we look at your skin as a whole. We take the time to understand your concerns, assess what needs attention and recommend treatments that are suited to your skin.
Our clinic is nurse-led, with registered nurses and more than fifteen years of clinical experience.
1. Understanding Your Acne: What Is Happening to Your Skin?
Not every mark left by acne is a scar, and not every type of acne needs the same treatment.
There are three main concerns we look at when assessing acne-prone skin.
Active acne and breakouts
These are spots that are still developing, including blackheads, whiteheads, inflamed pimples and deeper blemishes.
Acne can be linked to hormonal changes, excess oil production, blocked pores, genetics and other factors. Understanding what’s contributing to your breakouts is an important first step.
Post-acne marks and pigmentation
These are flat red, pink or brown marks that remain after a spot has healed.
They can make your complexion look uneven, even when you no longer have active breakouts. These marks aren’t necessarily permanent scars, as they don’t always involve changes to the structure of your skin.
Acne scars and uneven texture
Some breakouts leave depressions beneath the skin, creating an uneven surface.
These can appear as small pits, deeper box-shaped marks or rolling indentations. They develop when inflammation damages the skin’s underlying collagen and supporting structures.
The important thing to remember is that pigmentation and indented scars are two different concerns, and they need different approaches.
If you’re not sure which of these you’re looking at, that’s exactly what the consultation is for.
2. Chemical Peels for Acne, Congestion and Post-Acne Marks
If you’re dealing with clogged pores, superficial acne marks, uneven skin tone or dull-looking skin, a professional chemical peel may be worth considering.
Chemical peels use carefully selected exfoliating ingredients to remove accumulated dead skin cells and encourage skin renewal.
At Vista Clinic, we’ll assess your skin first and recommend a suitable peel based on your skin type, sensitivity and main concerns.
A chemical peel may help to:
- Improve the appearance of superficial post-acne marks.
- Refine uneven skin texture.
- Improve the appearance of congestion and blocked pores.
- Reduce dullness and give your skin a fresher appearance.
The type and strength of the peel will depend on your skin assessment. It’s not suitable for every type of active acne or irritated skin.
3. Microneedling for Acne Scarring and Uneven Skin Texture
If your main concern is uneven skin texture or certain types of shallow acne scarring, microneedling may be another option.
Microneedling uses very fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating its natural repair process and collagen production.
At Vista Clinic, microneedling may help to:
- Improve the appearance of shallow acne scars.
- Refine uneven skin texture.
- Improve the appearance of enlarged pores.
- Support smoother, healthier-looking skin.
Microneedling is generally considered once active acne and significant inflammation are under control.
It’s also important to understand that microneedling doesn’t release the deeper fibrous bands responsible for certain indented scars. For those, another technique may be more suitable.
4. Face PRP + Subcision for Indented Acne Scars
If acne has left you with depressed scars or uneven skin texture, one of the treatments we may recommend is Face PRP combined with Subcision.
These two techniques work in different ways and can complement each other when the scars are suitable for treatment.
What is Subcision?
Subcision is a specialised technique used for certain depressed acne scars.
A fine needle is carefully introduced beneath the skin to release the fibrous bands that pull the scar downwards.
By releasing these bands, the skin can become less tethered, helping to soften the appearance of rolling and certain indented scars.
What is Face PRP?
PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma.
It’s prepared from a small sample of your own blood and contains platelets and growth factors involved in the body’s natural repair processes.
When used as part of an acne scar treatment plan, PRP may support the skin’s natural healing response and collagen production, helping to improve the appearance of skin texture over time.
Why combine Face PRP and Subcision?
Subcision works on the fibrous bands beneath selected scars, while PRP supports the skin’s natural repair process.
Combining these techniques may help improve the appearance of suitable acne scars. The level of improvement will depend on the type, depth and severity of the scarring.
Not every acne scar is suitable for Subcision. Our nurse will examine your skin first and explain whether this combination is right for you.
5. Professional Skincare: The Right Products Matter Too
Professional treatments are only one part of looking after your skin. Your daily skincare routine matters just as much.
At Vista Clinic, we also offer professional skincare products to help address different skin concerns.
During your appointment, our nurse can assess your skin and guide you through the products that may suit you best.
Depending on your skin’s needs, we can help you choose products to:
- Manage excess oil and congestion.
- Support and protect your skin barrier.
- Improve the appearance of post-acne marks.
- Maintain hydration without unnecessarily clogging pores.
- Protect your skin and support your treatment results.
You don’t need to arrive knowing which products to buy or what ingredients to look for. We’ll help you put together a skincare routine that makes sense for your skin.
6. What If You Still Have Active Acne?
If you’re still experiencing regular breakouts, we first need to understand what’s happening and whether your skin is ready for a professional treatment.
Treating acne scars while significant active inflammation is still present may not be the right starting point.
Our nurse will look at your current breakouts, skin sensitivity, oil production and any previous treatments you’ve tried.
If your acne requires medical or dermatological treatment, we’ll let you know and guide you towards the appropriate next step before considering aesthetic procedures.
We’d rather recommend the right approach for your skin than rush you into a treatment that isn’t suitable.
7. What Happens During Your Consultation at Vista Clinic?
We make it easy to get started.
First, you can arrange a free online consultation.
You can tell us about your skin concerns, what you’ve tried before and what you’d like to improve. This gives us an opportunity to understand what you’re looking for, explain the treatments we offer and answer your initial questions.
Next, we’ll arrange an in-person consultation with our nurse.
This is particularly important when dealing with acne scars. Your nurse will examine your skin closely, assess the type and depth of your scars and identify which areas may benefit from treatment.
During your appointment, we’ll explain:
- Whether you’re dealing with active acne, pigmentation or indented scars.
- Which treatments may be suitable for your skin.
- Whether Face PRP and Subcision could help improve your acne scars.
- Whether a chemical peel or microneedling may be appropriate.
- Which professional skincare products may suit your skin.
- What your recommended treatment plan involves and the overall investment.
You’ll be seen by a registered nurse at a nurse-led clinic with more than fifteen years of clinical experience behind it.
That’s the part that matters: reading your skin correctly, identifying the right concern and choosing a treatment plan that makes sense for you.
Ready to Discuss Your Acne or Acne Scars?
You don’t have to work out which treatment you need before contacting us.
Whether you’re dealing with ongoing breakouts, dark marks, indented acne scars or uneven skin texture, we can help you understand what’s happening and explore the options available.
Book your free online consultation with Vista Clinic in Stillorgan, Dublin.
Let’s take a closer look at your skin and find an approach that’s right for you.
