What to Expect from a Dermatologist, Esthetician, or Acne Specialist
After years of treating acne in all its forms, I can confidently say this:
You should see at least 70% improvement within 12 to 14 weeks — no matter what kind of acne treatment you’re on.
That’s true whether you’re working with a dermatologist, esthetician, nutritionist, or acne expert.
But what I’ve seen again and again in practice is the opposite.
Same Treatment. Same Acne. Year After Year.
Too many people stay on the same treatment plan — with the same products, same facials, or same prescriptions — for months or even years.
And their skin never got clear.
It’s frustrating. It’s unnecessary. And it’s something I wish more people understood.
Here’s the truth:
If your skin hasn’t improved significantly after 12–14 weeks, it’s time to make a change.
3 Months = Full Acne Cycle
Acne lesions don’t form overnight.
From the moment a pore gets clogged to the point it becomes a visible breakout, the full process takes up to 90 days.
That’s why the 12–14 week window is so important:
It gives your treatment plan enough time to target every stage of that acne cycle — from micro-comedones to inflammation.
And it’s why I always say:
If your skin still looks the same after 3 months, it’s not “just purging.”
It’s a sign your treatment isn’t working.
What You Should Do If You’re Not Seeing Results
If you’re not seeing major improvement within three months, you have two options:
- Change the plan: Work with your provider to adjust your course of action — whether that’s products, diet, prescription strength, or procedures.
- Change the provider: If your current specialist is stuck on repeat, it may be time to find someone else who can take a more effective, personalized approach.
This isn’t about being impatient — it’s about being realistic.
Your skin deserves a treatment plan that responds to it — not one that ignores the signals.
You Deserve Progress, Not Prolonged Suffering
Acne doesn’t need to take years to treat.
If you’re still waiting for results after six months, a year, or longer — it’s not because your acne is “too stubborn.”
It’s because the strategy is off.
At AcneClinicNYC, our Pro-Acne Program is built around 12-week transformations — not endless trial and error.
We evaluate, adjust, and treat based on how your skin responds — and we expect real change in the first few months.
Because clear skin shouldn’t take forever.
And you deserve to see it happen.
