06 Sep 2025 | by Dr. Michelon
Acne is not just for teenagers. In fact, many patients who missed out on cystic zits during their high school years may find these painful lesions creeping up alongside their wrinkles. It’s frustrating, unfair and demoralizing. Affecting more women than men, adult acne is still an incredibly common skin condition that crosses both gender and age lines. Furthermore, if you are older, the treatment protocol that may have been best for your teenage skin is probably not going to suit your drier, more mature skin. This is why, if possible, I strongly encourage patients to schedule an in-person consultation with a Board-Certified Dermatologist, such as myself. For any adult acne treatment to be effective, it must suit your individual skin and lifestyle. Consistency is a crucial component of efficacy so if you are a low maintenance guy, for example, a 5 step skincare routine may not be the best choice for you. And though the internet is a fantastic educational tool, there is also a lot of misinformation. So, here are the best treatments for adult acne that actually work.
HydraFacialTM Clarifying Treatments for Adult Acne in Boston
What I love about the HydraFacialTM Clarifying treatment for adult acne is that it allows me to:
- Clean
- Exfoliate
- Extract
- Nourish
All at the same time. Furthermore, any HydraFacialTM can be customized to your specific needs. For acne, the process begins with its proprietary vortex-fusion technology for a deep-suction clean that removes dirt, sebum and debris from your pores. Next comes an application of high-concentration glycolic acid which is able to penetrate deeper into your dermis since we’ve opened up the pores with the deep suction extraction. This glycolic acid helps to further dissolve any remaining buildup while still being gentle on your skin. Then comes an FDA-approved Blue LED Light Therapy that kills acne-causing bacteria, calms redness and reduces
overall inflammation. Last, I nourish your skin with an appropriate serum. The end result is clearer, brighter and more radiant skin. Based on the severity of your acne, I may recommend these monthly until we get things under control.
SkinPen® with AlphaRet® Clearing Serum
Microneedling is another fantastic procedure for rejuvenating the skin. Like the suction in the HydraFacialTM, the needles open up channels into the deeper layers of your dermis so that whatever is applied topically can penetrate further and produce more of a “wow” result. While we offer our Boston area patients a full range of microneedling options, I like the SkinPen® for treating adult acne as it is incredibly gentle. I combine it with the AlphaRet® Clearing Serum. This is a medical-grade retinoid-based skincare product that will help clear your skin, reduce oiliness, diminish pore size and generate an overall improved appearance in both skin tone and texture. I recommend the AlphaRet® line because the products work, but they are also:
- Paraben free
- Fragrance free
- Dye free
- Cruelty free
This can make them an ideal choice for sensitive, acne-prone skin.
Other Treatment Options for Adult Acne
The other treatment options in my arsenal for treating adult acne include:
- Chemical Peels
- Medical-Grade Skincare
- Prescription Topicals and/or Oral Mediations
I generally prefer salicylic or glycolic acid chemical peels for adult acne as, again, they address multiple issues at once. The peel itself removes dead skin cells which can clog your pores and may be the root cause of your acne. Both acids are also oil-soluble so they penetrate deep into your pores, dissolving unwanted oil and debris while also helping to neutralize acne causing bacteria. In addition to diminishing the blemishes themselves as well as further breakouts, a chemical peel may also help to reduce any visible acne scars.
In general, I will recommend appropriate medical-grade skincare products to incorporate into your skincare regime. Reducing adult acne and preventing further breakouts requires diligence. I always take into consideration a patient’s personality and lifestyle when designing a treatment plan, but if you want to get ahead of your adult acne, you will have to put in some work at home. In severe cases, I may also write a prescription for a topical product and/or oral medication to use along with your skincare routine and appropriate treatments. Adult acne isn’t fun. But there are steps that you can take to restore the clear, youthful glow that we all want.
To find out more about the SkinPen®, HydrafacialTM, medical grade skincare, chemical peel, or any other aesthetic treatment with Dr. Melissa Michelon at Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.
