Acne Prone & Congested Skin

Close-up of inverted photos side by side of the same woman facing each other with clear and smooth skin, displaying a before & after from acne prone to clear skin promoted by Soho Skin Club's facial treatment from congested to clear skin.

Our clinic has assisted numerous clients in managing issues like acne, breakouts, and congestion. We deal daily with individuals facing challenges such as hormonal acne, adult acne, teen acne, or fungal acne. Recognizing that you've likely explored various remedies for your skin, it's time for a customized and skilled strategy.

All new clients initiate their journey with a comprehensive 1-hour Initial Skin Consultation and treatment conducted by our Senior Dermal Therapist. (Skin Assessment + Treatment) During this session, you and the director collaborate to create a personalized protocol tailored to your age, skin condition, and budget. Our commitment lies in educating clients, sharing our expertise, and empowering you to make transformative choices for healthier skin.

Start your Skin Journey! Book Now.

How we approach Acne & Congestion

Beginner

Start with the Skin Assessment + treatment. We will Assess your skin, create a Skin Management Plan along with a Skincare guide.

We start by preparing your skin with Medik8 Professional Peels & Masks to ensure your skin has integrity and responds well to more advanced treatments.

Intermediate

We begin to Level up your treatments. We enhance penetrations by using Medik8 Professional protocols that allows us to Layer you peels. These are tailored to your suit your skin’s needs. Whether is is sebum control or inflammation reduction.

Advanced

BioRePeel is formulated for Acne prone skin, at Soho Skin Club we have achieved Master status with additional education. BioRePeel is a type of chemical peel that can be beneficial for treating acne and acne-related concerns. It works by exfoliating the top layer of skin, stimulating new cell growth, and addressing various skin imperfections like acne, scarring, and uneven skin tone. 

What type of Acne do you have?

Diagram showing the stages of cervical abnormalities from blackheads to cystic, including blackheads, whiteheads, milia, papules, pustules, nodules, cystic, and four stages of progression.

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Not all acne is the same—and knowing what type you have is key to treating it effectively. At Soho Skin Club in Subiaco, our experienced dermal therapists help identify and target your specific acne type, from hormonal breakouts and blackheads to cystic acne and congestion. Let’s get to the root of your skin concerns and create a tailored treatment plan that works.

  • Grade 1 acne is the mildest form of acne and is characterised by the occasional appearance of blackheads or whiteheads. Blackheads are small, dark-colored bumps that appear when a clog forms in the opening of a hair follicle. Whiteheads are similar to blackheads, but they are covered by a thin layer of skin.

    Treatment for Stage I Acne:

    • Mild Treatments:

      Stage I acne often responds well to mild treatments like Professional peels, Hydrafacials , paired with LED light therapy. 

    • Skincare Routine:

      A good skincare routine is crucial, focusing on cleansing, controlling oil production, and preventing inflammation. Using professional grade or clincial grade products is ideal.

    • Non-Comedogenic Products:

      Using products specifically formulated to minimise pore clogging is important. This mean light non occlusive products.

    • Exfoliation:

      Regular chemical exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and prevent further blockages. Salicylic exfoliators will assist with heavy sebum production.

    • Retinol Creams:

      Retinol’s or retinoids may be recommended to further reduce oil production and inflammation. 

  • Acne stage 2, or moderate acne, is characterized by the presence of blackheads/milia, papules (small, red, inflamed bumps), and pustules (inflamed bumps with pus).

    It's a step up from mild acne (stage 1) and may be accompanied by slight inflammation. The breakouts can also spread to other areas besides the face. 

    Topical Treatments:

    • Chemical Exfoliants: Chemical exfoliants are helpful to assist with excess sebum and reducing inflammation.

    • Retinoids: Help prevent clogged pores by increasing cell turnover and reducing inflammation. 

    Other Considerations:

    • Double Cleansing: Cleaning your ace in the morning and double cleansing your face is going to be the best start. Aim to have one active cleanser to target

    • Avoiding Picking or Squeezing: Picking at blemishes can worsen inflammation and potentially lead to scarring. 

    • Non-Comedogenic Products: Use oil-free, non-comedogenic cosmetics and skincare products to minimize pore blockage. 

    • Professional Consultation: here at Soho Skin Club can provide personalised treatment plans and discuss advanced options to assist with improving your Acne.

  • Stage 3 acne, also known as inflammatory or nodulocystic acne, is characterised by numerous papules, pustules, and nodules, often painful and inflamed.

    Treatment typically involves a combination of At home skincare and topical advanced professional treatments. This can be treated well with consistent BioRePeel sessions or Medik8 Professional treatments & consistent high quality products with your home skincare routine.

    • Inflamed Pimples: Stage 3 acne features inflamed pimples, including papules (small, red bumps) and pustules (papules with pus). 

    • Nodules: Larger, firm, and painful bumps located beneath the skin's surface. 

    • Cysts: Deep, fluid-filled lumps, which are typically painful and can be more difficult to treat than other types of acne. 

    • Pain and Inflammation: Breakouts are often more painful, red, and sensitive to the touch. 

    • Location: Stage 3 acne can affect various areas of the body, including the face, chest, shoulders, and back. 

  • Stage 4 acne, also known as severe acne or nodulocystic acne, is characterized by numerous painful, inflamed nodules and cysts. These are deep, inflamed bumps that can be very uncomfortable and painful.

    Scarring can be common, due to the inflammation and deep nature of the lesions, scarring is a common outcome.  Nodules and cysts can become infected, leading to further inflammation and potential complications. 

    When you have severe Acne, we can treat your skin with consistent skin therapies. At times, the severity can be outside of our scop. In which case we will refer you to a professional that is suited to treat your skin.

What could be causing your Acne?

Acne can be caused by a mix of internal and external factors, and understanding the root cause is essential for effective treatment. Common triggers include hormonal changes, genetics, diet, and stress, all of which can influence sebum (oil) production and skin inflammation. When excess sebum combines with dead skin cells and clogs pores, it creates an environment where acne-causing bacteria (C. acnes) thrive—leading to breakouts. Poor skincare routines, using comedogenic (pore-clogging) products, and not properly cleansing makeup brushes can also transfer bacteria and oil, worsening congestion. On a cellular level, acne can result from an overproduction of skin cells (hyperkeratinisation), which blocks follicles and disrupts the skin's natural shedding cycle. Environmental factors like pollution, friction from helmets or masks (acne mechanica), and even certain medications can further irritate the skin. At Soho Skin Club in Subiaco, we take a holistic approach—addressing both surface symptoms and underlying causes—to treat acne at every level, from blackheads to cystic breakouts.