Acne

Acne Treatment Sunshine Coast

Acne is more than the occasional breakout.

It is a common inflammatory skin condition that can present as persistent congestion, blackheads, whiteheads, inflamed pimples, pustules and, in more severe cases, deeper nodules or cysts.

At That Skin Clinic in Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast, we take a personalised, skin-health- focused approach to acne-prone skin.

Rather than simply trying to dry out breakouts, we look at the bigger picture, including your skin barrier, oil production, congestion, inflammation, current skincare, treatment history and lifestyle factors to develop a plan appropriate for your skin.

Depending on your presentation, your plan may incorporate professional chemical peels, AHA and BHA treatments, enzymes, Laser resurfacing for Acne, LED light therapy, tailored facials, professional skincare and referral for medical management where appropriate.

What Is Acne?

Acne develops within the pilosebaceous unit- the hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland.

Several processes can contribute, including excess sebum production, abnormal shedding of skin cells within the follicle, microbial activity and inflammation.

This can lead to different types of acne lesions, including:

Blackheads - open comedones
Whiteheads - closed comedones
Papules - small, inflamed red bumps
Pustules - inflamed lesions containing visible pus
Nodules - larger, deeper inflammatory lesions
Cysts or cyst-like lesions - deeper, painful inflammatory breakouts

Many people experience a combination rather than just one type.

What Causes Acne?

Acne is complex and rarely comes down to one simple cause. Factors that may contribute to or influence acne include:

Hormonal changes
Genetics
Increased oil production
Follicular congestion
Inflammation
Certain medications
Stress
Occlusive skincare, haircare or makeup
Environmental and lifestyle factors

Acne can affect teenagers and adults, and adult acne can occur even in people who had relatively clear skin during adolescence.

Rather than assuming the cause, we assess what is happening with your skin and work within our cosmetic scope to develop an appropriate plan.

Acne vs Occasional Breakouts

Having a few pimples doesn't necessarily mean you have acne. If your main concerns are blackheads, clogged pores, oiliness or occasional breakouts, our congestion and breakouts treatments may be a more appropriate starting point.

Acne tends to be more persistent and can involve recurring inflammatory lesions alongside congestion.

The distinction matters because persistent inflammatory acne often benefits from a more structured management plan rather than occasional facials.

Our Approach to Acne-Prone Skin

One of the most common mistakes we see with breakout-prone skin is trying to treat it as aggressively as possible. Strong cleansers, multiple acids, scrubs and constant spot treatments can leave the skin dry, irritated and with a compromised barrier.

Acne-prone skin still needs a healthy skin barrier.

Our approach is to balance treatment of congestion and inflammation with appropriate hydration, barrier support and home care. Your treatment plan may change as your skin improves.

Professional Treatments for Acne-Prone Skin

BHA Treatments

Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), commonly salicylic acid, is oil-soluble and can be particularly useful for oily, congested and acne-prone skin.

Depending on your skin, BHA may be incorporated to help manage clogged pores, blackheads and congestion.

AHA & Chemical Peels

Carefully selected AHA treatments and professional chemical peels may be used to support skin renewal and improve concerns such as congestion, uneven texture and post-breakout pigmentation.

Stronger isn't always better.

The acid, concentration and treatment frequency need to be appropriate for your skin type, barrier condition and current acne activity.

Enzyme Treatments

Professional enzymes provide a gentler form of superficial exfoliation and may be incorporated where accumulated dead skin cells are contributing to congestion or where a less aggressive approach is appropriate.

LED Light Therapy

LED light therapy can form an important part of an acne-prone skin program. Depending on the presentation and treatment goals, selected wavelengths may be used to complement other treatments and support the skin without additional exfoliation or downtime.

LED may be recommended as a course rather than simply as an occasional add-on.

Professional Extractions

Where appropriate, selected comedones and areas of congestion may be professionally extracted.

We avoid unnecessarily aggressive extraction because excessive trauma and inflammation can contribute to prolonged redness, pigmentation and potentially scarring.

What About Acne Scarring?

Our first priority is generally to gain better control of active inflammatory acne before aggressively treating established acne scars.

Continuing breakouts can create new marks and scars, so treating scarring while significant acne remains active may limit your overall progress.

Once the skin is more stable, we can assess concerns such as:

Post-inflammatory redness
Post-inflammatory pigmentation
Uneven texture
Enlarged-looking pores
Atrophic acne scars

Where appropriate, a future acne-scar treatment plan may incorporate skin needling, chemical peels, Pico laser or fractional Er:YAG laser resurfacing, depending on the concern.

Skincare for Acne-Prone Skin

Professional treatments are only one part of managing acne-prone skin. What you're using every morning and evening can have a significant impact on how your skin behaves.

Your personalised routine may include:

Gentle cleansing
Appropriate AHA or BHA ingredients
Targeted active ingredients
Barrier-supportive hydration
Suitable moisturisation
Daily broad-spectrum SPF

Our goal isn't to give you a complicated ten-step routine. We want to create a routine that is effective, realistic and appropriate for your skin.

When Should Acne Be Seen by a Doctor?

That Skin Clinic provides cosmetic skin treatments and does not replace medical diagnosis or prescription acne treatment.

We may recommend assessment by your GP or dermatologist if your acne is:

Severe or rapidly worsening
Deep, painful, nodular or cystic
Causing significant scarring
Not responding to appropriate cosmetic management - Appearing suddenly without an obvious explanation
Likely to require prescription treatment

Prescription medications can be very effective for certain forms of acne and can work alongside professional cosmetic skin management where appropriate.

If you're already using prescription acne medication, let us know before treatment so we can determine which cosmetic treatments are appropriate.

Acne Treatment Takes Time

There isn't a genuine overnight solution for persistent acne. Skin changes progressively, and your treatment plan may need to be adjusted according to how your skin responds.

For clients with ongoing acne concerns, we may recommend a structured treatment program combining regular professional treatments, LED therapy and personalised home care rather than isolated appointments.

Our aim is not just to treat today's breakout. It's to create a longer-term strategy for clearer, healthier and more resilient skin.

Start With an Acne Skin Consultation

If you're struggling with persistent breakouts and aren't sure what your skin needs, start with a consultation.

Our $75 Skin Consultation is fully redeemable toward recommended treatment or skincare.

We'll assess your skin, breakout pattern, current products and treatment history and develop a personalised plan. Depending on your skin, this may include chemical peels, AHA or BHA treatments, enzymes, LED therapy, tailored professional treatments and personalised home care.

If your acne would be better managed with medical treatment, we'll recommend that you speak with your GP or dermatologist rather than continuing to escalate cosmetic treatments.