Which one you need depends on the kind of acne you have. Blackheads and clogged pores aren't the same problem as deep, painful nodules, and nothing on a spa menu replaces a dermatologist for the second kind. This page covers the facials and peel on our Sunnyvale menu that suit breakout-prone skin, one light-based rejuvenation option people ask about, how to match them to your skin, and where our job ends.
Treatments and prices at J.H Beauty
| Treatment | Length | Price | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Deep Cleaning Facial | 75 min | $168 | Blackheads, congestion, the usual first booking |
| Chemical Peeling Series (Acne, Anti-aging, Lightening) | 90 min | $278 | Clogged pores, breakouts, dark marks; face or back |
| Vital-C Brightening Antioxidants Facial | 75 min | $218 | Brightening; dullness and uneven tone |
| Italian DPL PhotoTherapy (Nir/DPL Milk-Light) | 75 min | $288 | Skin rejuvenation, face or back; not listed as an acne treatment |
Which treatment for which acne
Blackheads and clogged pores
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says blackheads and whiteheads form "when pores become clogged with excess oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells." For clogged pores and congestion, our usual first booking is the European Deep Cleaning Facial. It combines European deep-cleansing techniques with hydration. At home, the AAD's recommended routine for blackheads and whiteheads is a retinoid, plus a benzoyl peroxide wash to kill bacteria.
Breakouts, marks and back acne
The Chemical Peeling Series uses an I-peel formula with vitamin C and hydroxy acids. According to the AAD, a peel applied to acne "helps remove dead skin cells that are clogging your pores and excess oil." Cleveland Clinic lists acne, scarring and uneven skin tone among the things peels are used for. Our series is offered for the back as well as the face. Book it or read the menu listing on the Chemical Peeling Series page.
Dullness and uneven tone
The Vital-C Brightening Antioxidants Facial is a brightening, antioxidant vitamin C facial. The menu presents it as a way to "reveal a brighter, more youthful complexion", not as an acne treatment. Ask whether it suits your skin.
DPL PhotoTherapy is a rejuvenation treatment
The Italian DPL PhotoTherapy is on our menu as a Nir/DPL milk-light photofacial for skin rejuvenation, for the face or the back. The menu does not list it as an acne treatment, so it isn't one of our acne options; if you're interested in it, ask at your appointment whether it suits your skin.
Is a chemical peel worth it?
It can be, if your goal matches what peels do. The AAD lists some types of acne, discoloration and uneven skin tone, dull complexion, rough-feeling skin and sun damage among the things chemical peels treat, with results such as a more even skin color, a brighter complexion and smoother skin. A single light peel isn't the whole plan: the AAD notes three to five light peels may be necessary, repeated every two to five weeks. Insurance doesn't cover peels, because they're a cosmetic treatment.
On cost, The Aesthetic Society's 2022 statistics report a national average charge of $196 per chemical peel among aesthetic plastic surgeons. Our Chemical Peeling Series is $278 for a 90-minute session, face or back. A peel is less likely to be worth it if your acne is deep and cystic (that needs a dermatologist) or if you want to treat sunken acne scars. For more on how our peel works, what it contains and who it suits, see our chemical peel in Sunnyvale page.
Acne scars
The AAD says depressed (sunken) acne scars won't fade on their own and tend to become more visible as skin loses firmness with age. J.H Beauty doesn't offer acne scar treatments such as microneedling or laser; for sunken scars, a dermatologist is the right first appointment. The best protection is preventing new scars, which is why the AAD's advice on nodules, cysts and squeezing below matters.
Preventing breakouts between visits
Most acne prevention happens at home. From the AAD's list of habits that make acne worse:
- Wash your face twice a day, when you wake up and before bed, with a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser, and be gentle.
- Use makeup, sunscreen, skin and hair products labeled "non-comedogenic," and remove makeup before bed, no exceptions.
- Don't share makeup, brushes or applicators.
- If your skin feels dry, use a moisturizer made for acne-prone skin.
- Apply acne medication in a thin layer over all your acne-prone skin, not just on spots, to prevent new blemishes, and give a product six to eight weeks to work.
- After a workout, pat sweat away with a clean towel instead of rubbing.
Why you shouldn't squeeze at home
The AAD puts it directly: "When you pop or squeeze acne, you're likely to push some of what's inside deeper into your skin." It adds that scrubbing can irritate skin and make acne flare, and that switching products every week can cause more breakouts. Being patient with one plan works better than being aggressive with several. The AAD also says acne extraction, which it calls "acne surgery" (physically removing breakouts), should only be done by a board-certified doctor, to avoid scarring and infection.
When to see a dermatologist instead
- Nodules and cysts. These are deep, painful lumps that often scar. The AAD says, "If you have acne that looks like this, you'll need a dermatologist's help to treat it."
- Acne that isn't improving. Give a treatment six to eight weeks to work. If you still see blemishes, the AAD suggests seeing a dermatologist.
- Acne that leaves scars. According to the AAD, nodules and cysts often scar, and dermatologists prescribe isotretinoin for nodular acne that hasn't responded to other treatments.
If you're under a dermatologist's care, agree on any facial or peel with your dermatologist and with the studio first, and tell us what you've been prescribed.
Retinoids, isotretinoin and your appointment
- Isotretinoin (Accutane): Don't book while you're taking it. We ask you to wait at least six months after finishing. MedlinePlus likewise advises avoiding waxing, laser treatments and dermabrasion during treatment and for six months after, because of the risk of scarring.
- Prescription retinoids: Usually fine for a facial. Stop applying them about five days beforehand and tell us what you use. Before a peel, Cleveland Clinic advises stopping retinoids such as tretinoin one to two weeks ahead.
What to expect afterward
After a light peel, Cleveland Clinic describes three to seven days of redness and scaling. Don't pick at it, keep your skin moisturized, and wear sunscreen every day, as both Cleveland Clinic and the AAD advise. Acne care is a course, not a single visit. We usually suggest a facial every four to six weeks. Discuss which of these options to book, and in what order, at your appointment.
Book an acne facial in Sunnyvale
J.H Beauty is at 525 W Remington Dr, Suite 102, Sunnyvale, CA 94087. We're open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:45 AM to 8 PM. Book on our menu or call +1-650-784-6076. Mention any prescriptions when you book so the treatment can be planned around them.