
Concern
Active Acne &
Lifestyle Breakouts
Treating acne now is the most effective thing you can do to prevent permanent scarring
Active acne is more than a cosmetic concern — every inflammatory breakout carries a risk of permanent scarring. The earlier and more effectively you treat acne, the less likely it is to leave a lasting mark. At 99 Medispa, we offer in-clinic treatments that reduce inflammation, target acne-causing bacteria, and support the skin barrier — alongside honest advice about when systemic treatment is the missing piece.
Types of Acne

Blackheads (Open Comedones)
A pore blocked with oxidised sebum and dead skin cells, open to the surface — which gives the dark appearance. Non-inflammatory. Very common on the nose, chin, and forehead. Respond well to deep cleansing and regular extraction.
Whiteheads (Closed Comedones)
A pore blocked below the surface, with no opening — the trapped sebum appears as a small white or flesh-coloured bump. Non-inflammatory. Often a precursor to papules and pustules if bacteria proliferate within.
Papules
Small, raised red bumps caused by inflamed or infected hair follicles. Tender to the touch. No visible pus. Represent the earliest stage of inflammatory acne — the transition from a comedone to a more active lesion.
Pustules
Similar to papules but with a visible white or yellow pus-filled centre. Classic pimples. The pus is a collection of dead skin cells, bacteria, and white blood cells. Inflammatory — never squeeze, as this drives bacteria deeper and increases scarring risk.
Nodules
Large, solid, painful lumps deep within the skin — caused by a severe infection of the follicle that extends into the surrounding tissue. No visible head. High scarring risk. Cannot be treated with surface-level treatments; require energy that reaches the deep dermis.
Cysts
The most severe form of acne — large, pus-filled, painful lesions deep in the skin that can last weeks. Highest scarring risk of all acne types. Often requires medical management alongside in-clinic treatment. In-clinic laser can reduce inflammation and support healing, but systemic treatment is often essential.
Hormonal Acne
A pattern of acne — typically deep, cystic lesions — driven by hormonal fluctuations rather than a specific lesion type. Characteristically appears along the jawline, chin, and lower cheeks. Flares with the menstrual cycle, PCOS, or hormonal changes. Often requires hormonal management alongside in-clinic treatment.
Lifestyle Breakouts
Breakouts triggered by lifestyle factors — poor diet, chronic stress, sleep deprivation, or pore-clogging cosmetics — rather than a primary skin condition. Often appear as clusters of whiteheads, papules, or pustules that flare and resolve in response to specific triggers. Addressing the underlying lifestyle factor is essential alongside in-clinic treatment.
The Root Causes of Acne
Acne results from multiple factors converging — rarely just one cause in isolation:
- · Excess sebum — overactive sebaceous glands produce too much oil
- · Blocked pores — sebum and dead skin cells clog hair follicles
- · C. acnes bacteria — proliferates in blocked follicles, triggering inflammation
- · Hormonal fluctuations — puberty, menstrual cycle, PCOS, and perimenopause all increase sebum production
- · Diet — high glycaemic foods and dairy are the most evidence-supported triggers
- · Stress — raises cortisol, which increases sebum and worsens inflammation
- · Disrupted skin barrier — over-cleansing and harsh actives increase sensitivity and inflammation
In-clinic treatments address acne externally. Acne with a strong hormonal driver often also needs systemic treatment — such as the OCP, spironolactone, or isotretinoin from a GP or dermatologist. In-clinic and medical treatments work best together.
Treatment Spotlight
Twinlight Acne: Targeting Acne at Its Source
Most topical treatments address acne at the skin surface. Twinlight works beneath it — delivering Nd:YAG laser energy directly into the sebaceous gland where acne originates. By killing C. acnes bacteria within the blocked follicle and thermally reducing gland activity, Twinlight reduces both active breakouts and the underlying sebum production that causes them. It is the only laser treatment on this page that directly targets the gland — making it the most structurally targeted acne option we offer.
Learn About Twinlight Acne
Treatment Spotlight
Injectable Skin Boosters: Stabilising the Skin After Acne
Active and lifestyle-triggered breakouts leave behind a skin environment that is inflamed, sensitised, and barrier-compromised — conditions that make future breakouts more likely and healing slower. Injectable skin boosters work at the dermal level to stabilise this environment: repairing the skin barrier, reducing chronic low-grade inflammation, and restoring the skin's resilience between breakouts. They are not an acne treatment in themselves, but a stabilising foundation that supports all other treatments. Due to TGA advertising guidelines we cannot describe specific products online — our practitioners will discuss all suitable options at your complimentary consultation.

Other Treatments Available
Vortex cleansing + hydration
Epidermis
Deep-cleanses congested pores, removes blackheads and excess sebum, and infuses clarifying serums into the skin. Best combined with Twinlight or LED for a complete approach. Best for: Comedonal acne (blackheads, whiteheads), congested and oily skin, blocked pores. Frequency: Monthly as ongoing maintenance.
Red & blue photobiomodulation
Epidermis + dermis
Blue light kills acne bacteria without heat; red light calms inflammation and supports healing. The gentlest acne treatment — no purging, no irritation, zero downtime. Best for: Sensitive and reactive acne-prone skin, mild inflammatory acne, and maintenance between laser sessions. Frequency: 6–10 sessions weekly or fortnightly, then monthly.
Fractional RF resurfacing
Epidermis + dermis
Fractional RF resurfacing improves skin surface texture, reduces pore size, and clears surface-level congestion and inflammation. Works at a shallower depth than Intensif — focused on skin quality rather than deep gland activity. Best for: Mild acne, congested or textured skin, post-acne marks, and skin prone to comedones. Frequency: 3–4 sessions every 4–6 weeks.
Oral / Topical Prescription
Antibiotics / retinoids / hormonal
Systemic
Oral and topical prescription options — including retinoids, antibiotics, and hormonal medications — can be an important part of a comprehensive acne management plan, particularly for hormonal or persistent acne. At 99 Medispa, we assess your suitability and provide referrals or guidance at your consultation. Frequency: As prescribed, ongoing.
The Mistakes People Make With Acne Treatment
Mistake 1 — Not persisting long enough. Acne treatments need time to work. Give any new treatment at least 8 weeks before judging whether it is effective. In the first few weeks your skin may feel slightly irritated or even look a little worse before it improves — this is normal, and stopping early means you never give the treatment a real chance.
Mistake 2 — Trying too many products at once. When results don't appear within a few days, the instinct is to add more products. This is counterproductive. Layering multiple actives at once irritates the skin barrier and makes it impossible to identify what is and isn't working. Introduce one treatment at a time and give it time.
Mistake 3 — Over-scrubbing or over-cleansing. Acne is not caused by dirty skin. Scrubbing harder or cleansing more frequently damages the skin's protective barrier, increases inflammation, and worsens acne. Gentle, consistent cleansing twice daily is all that is needed.
Mistake 4 — Using the wrong products. Certain ingredients in foundations, moisturisers, and sunscreens can clog pores and directly trigger breakouts. Choose non-comedogenic formulations. If you are unsure which products are appropriate for your skin, ask your practitioner at your consultation.
Mistake 5 — Picking and squeezing. Squeezing a pimple drives bacteria and inflammatory material deeper into the skin. This extends the duration of the lesion, spreads inflammation to adjacent follicles, and significantly increases the risk of permanent scarring. Do not squeeze — ever.
Mistake 6 — Waiting too long to seek professional treatment. Acne sufferers often delay seeing a practitioner, relying on over-the-counter products or prolonged courses of antibiotics that provide only partial improvement. Every inflammatory breakout carries a scarring risk. Early, effective treatment is the most powerful scar prevention strategy available — and the longer acne is left inadequately managed, the more permanent the consequences.
Mistake 7 — Over-using or under-using prescribed medication. Using more than prescribed does not accelerate results — it causes irritation, dryness, and redness that forces you to stop. Under-using it, or stopping when the skin improves, allows acne to return. If using a prescribed lotion, apply it across the whole face — not just visible pimples. Spot-treating misses the follicles next to current lesions where the next breakout is already forming.
Mistake 8 — Stopping treatment as soon as the skin clears. Clearing acne is the beginning of the process, not the end. Most patients need a maintenance phase to prevent recurrence. Your practitioner will advise when and how to reduce treatment — do not make this decision independently.
Frequently Asked Questions
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