Let’s Talk Acne: Understanding the Different Types & How We Treat Them

It’s Kristen here—owner of With Love Co., Esthetician of 15 years, and someone who has walked the acne journey firsthand. I’ve personally struggled with acne at different stages of my life—through hormonal shifts, stress, and even post-pregnancy breakouts. I know how deeply it can affect not just your skin, but your confidence and the way you feel in your own body. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping clients navigate their skin journeys.

At With Love, we take a holistic approach to treating acne. It’s not just about the surface-level blemishes—it’s about understanding what’s happening underneath, supporting the skin barrier, addressing lifestyle factors, and creating a treatment plan that’s customized just for you.

Understanding the Different Types of Acne

Acne isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are many types, and each requires a unique approach. Let’s break down some of the most common forms of acne—and something many people often don’t realize: sometimes what looks like acne isn’t actually acne at all.

1. Hormonal Acne

These stubborn breakouts often appear along the jawline, chin, and lower cheeks. They can be cystic, inflamed, and tied to your cycle. This type of acne is quite common, even into your 30s, 40s, and 50s.

2. Congested/Clogged Pores

Tiny bumps, blackheads, or whiteheads can create an uneven texture on your skin. This type is typically caused by a buildup of dead skin, excess oil, or using the wrong products.

3. Inflammatory Acne

You know these painful pimples that demand attention? They are classic red and swollen spots. This category often requires extra calming treatments to heal effectively.

4. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) & Scarring

Once a breakout has healed, it can leave behind unpleasant dark marks or textural scars. The good news is we have solutions to help fade these and restore your skin’s glow.

5. Acne Imposters: Fungal Acne & Perioral Dermatitis

Here’s where it gets tricky. Sometimes, what looks like acne isn’t acne at all:

• Fungal Acne is actually a yeast imbalance. It often appears as small, uniform bumps that may be itchy. Treating it with typical acne products, like benzoyl peroxide, may worsen the condition.

• Perioral Dermatitis looks similar to acne but is an inflammatory condition. Overusing products, steroid creams, or even toothpaste can trigger it. It usually manifests as a rash or clusters of bumps around the mouth, nose, or eyes, needing a different approach to heal.

  
  

How We Treat Acne (and Acne Imposters) at With Love Co.

Every acne journey is unique, which is why our approach is never cookie-cutter. We begin with a comprehensive skin consultation. This is where we listen to your story, discover your triggers, examine your skin habits, and evaluate your lifestyle. From there, we craft a plan that’s as unique as you are.

Our Treatment Tools

Some tools in our acne-fighting (and skin-soothing) toolbox include:

• Acne-Focused Facials: These facials involve deep pore cleansing, gentle exfoliation, extractions, soothing masks, and LED light therapy to calm inflammation.

• Custom Home Care Plans: Your daily skincare routine matters. We help you ditch ineffective products and start fresh with what your skin truly needs.

• Targeted Treatments: Options like high-frequency treatments, enzyme therapy, or gentle peels refine the skin and address stubborn acne or pigmentation.

• Barrier Repair Support: Strengthening the skin’s natural defenses helps it heal itself.

• Acne Boot Camp: For clients needing a structured treatment plan, our acne boot camp program involves three to six follow-up treatments after your initial facial. This series of treatments is designed to get your skin back on track. We can even integrate our non-ablative laser into your boot camp plan to help target active breakouts and reduce inflammation.

• Education & Guidance: We discuss lifestyle factors affecting skin health, such as diet, stress, sleep, and hormone balance.

  
  

When it comes to acne imposters like fungal acne or perioral dermatitis, we guide you toward a specialized protocol. These conditions require a completely different plan from traditional acne treatments.

Empowering Your Skin Journey

Acne is a journey, and one I’m passionate about guiding my clients through. At With Love Co., we’re not just here to clear your skin. We aim to empower you with skincare knowledge; even after your acne is clear, you deserve to feel confident.

If you’re ready to address the root cause of your breakouts and want to work toward real, lasting results, I’d love to invite you in for a complimentary skin consultation. Let’s talk, create a plan, and start your skin’s healing journey—together.

With love,

kristen

Owner & Acne Specialist at With Love Co.

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