OUR VIRTUAL CLEAR SKIN ACNE COACHING PROGRAM HAS LAUNCHED!!!
Welcome to the Chicago Acne Center!
We are Chicagoland's premier Acne Clinic servicing Chicago's south side and South Suburban areas!
Located inside beauty & the BRiDE Skin Care in Oak Forest, IL
beauty & the BRiDE Skin Care is excited & honored to be the only Face Reality certified acne specialist servicing the south Chicago area! We are so happy to bring such an effective treatment with specialized training to our clients that are suffering and experiencing the trauma and humiliation of having acne. We understand how acne can damage your self-esteem and leave behind painful physical AND emotional scars. We want to help you heal and clear your skin!
Our Lead Esthetician, Lena Clark - a.k.a. The Skin & Acne Coach, is dedicated to and passionate about corrective skin care. She specializes in treating acne and hyperpigmentation (dark spots), especially in darker skin tones. In addition to being a Face Reality Certified Acne Specialist, Lena has also studied the teachings of Dr. James Fulton - one of the pioneers in acne research and treatment, the co-developer of Retin-A, and the developer of powerful and effective ingredients used in topical acne treatments such as benzoyl peroxide, and Vitamin A propionate. To further expand her expertise in treating darker skin tones and meeting the specific needs of multicultural skin, Lena has also studied the teachings of fellow Dudley Beauty College graduate, Joelle Lee, L.E. who served as the personal esthetician of Mrs. Michelle Obama. Lena is committed to education and continues to take advanced trainings to stay up to date with current knowledge and standards in the industry.
ACNE BOOT CAMP
Our Acne Boot Camp is for you if: you have tried numerous over the counter products, prescription medications from your dermatologist, and every home remedy you could find on the internet, but are still suffering from acne breakouts. As a Face Reality Certified Acne Specialist our Estheticians are dedicated to clearing your acne and helping you stay clear. We know it takes a dynamic approach to getting AND keeping you clear. We have the proper training and products available to provide effective in office acne treatments and home care products with coaching proven to provide results. Let's get you started on the path to clear skin! Ready? Set. Clear!
What is Acne?
In order to begin treating and clearing your acne, you must first understand what acne is. Acne is an inherited inflammatory disorder of the pores. The pores in acneic skin quickly becomes impacted with dead skin cells quicker than the body can clear them. Healthy pores typically shed about one layer of dead skin cells per day inside the pore. Acne-prone pores shed up to FIVE! layers of dead skin cells inside the pore PER DAY. The technical term for the rapid shedding of skin cells before the pore can expel them is "retention hyperkeratosis." These rapidly shedding dead skin cells mix with your skin's natural sebum (oil) creating a plug called a "microcomedone" - the beginning of all acne. Microcomedones can take up to 90 days to surface. Once surfaced, they turn into blackheads and congestion under the skin, or into inflamed pimples, pustules or cysts.
Blockages that lead to microcomedones create the perfect environment for bacteria - specifically the C. Acnes bacteria - to thrive. Your sebum acts as a nutrient for this bacteria allowing it to continually grow. It is important to understand that while bacteria may be present in your acne lesions, it is a side effect of the disease, NOT the cause of it.
Is My Acne Curable?
There is currently no known CURE for acne. However, acne can be controlled and managed with a proper skin care routine. A well rounded regimen will include topical products with the proper percentage of active ingredients to help you treat and prevent acne lesions, as well as helpful nutrients and antioxidants to maintain a healthy acid mantle for your skin during the clearing process. Finding ways to manage stress and a healthy diet and exercise will not only help your skin, but is also really good for your overall health.
Additionally, stay away from pore-clogging ingredients in your cosmetics such as: lanolin, isopropyl myristate, isocetyl stearate, wheat germ oil, algae extract/kelp/seaweed, and iodine. Some of these ingredients, such as iodine, may also need to be limited in, or completed removed from, your diet as well.
Can a Licensed Esthetician Help Me Clear My Acne?
Absolutely! As Face Reality Certified Acne Specialists we are dedicated to clearing your skin and helping you stay clear. We have the proper training and products available to provide effective acne treatments proven to provide results. PLUS:
- We are able to compassionately treat you without resorting to expensive (and sometimes dangerous) prescription drugs.
- We are able to spend more time carefully listening to, and providing solutions for, your concerns.
- We touch and feel your skin each time you come in and make necessary adjustments to your treatments and home care routine to prevent dry irritated skin, or lack of results when your skin adapts to your home care products.
- We maintain close communication and coach you through clearing your skin and helping you stay clear. We are there every step of the process!
- We stay updated with the latest information, technology, treatments, and ingredients related to the treatment of acne.
How Long Will It Take For Me to Get Acne Free?
Generally, it will take at least 12 treatments to get clear. It can take up to 90 days for new acne to form so it is possible you may still have 90 days of acne that will surface during your program. Once you start treatment, our acne products and protocols will treat and decrease the severity of your existing acne and keep new acne from forming. Using our program, you will be clear to mostly clear in 3-6 months depending on your type of acne. Certain types of acne may take longer to clear. The more committed you are to your in office treatments and following your home care routine, the more quickly your skin will clear.
What Do I Have to Do to Get Clear?
* In office Acne Treatments every two weeks until you are clear or mostly clear
* Home care regimen AM + PM
* Home care adjustments as necessary to boost your results
* Lifestyle adjustments to reduce or eliminate acne aggravating foods, medications, and cosmetics or hair care products
* Close communication and coaching with your Certified Acne Specialist through every step of getting and keeping your skin clear.
NOTE: Before starting your Acne Boot Camp you must discontinue any prescription acne medications for a minimum of two weeks. Accutane or Isotretinoin can not be used within the last six months prior to starting your program.
Why Are Adjustments to Home Care Necessary?
We want your products to be effective, BUT we don't want them so strong your skin gets dry and irritated. We also don't want your skin to get used to the products you're using. Your skin will be reassessed during every Acne Treatment to determine if we can boost your home care products, keep them as is, or alter your current routine to prevent further irritation. This will keep your skin progressing at a steady rate without compromising the health of your skin's protective barrier. Adjustments may include using a current product more or less often, or may require you to purchase a higher strength active product to gradually introduce into your routine.
How Much Does it Cost?
Individual Acne Treatments are $80 each (plus an additional $15 consultation fee for your 1st treatment). It typically takes about 6 - 8 treatments to see results. You can expect an additional investment of about $150 for your initial supply of take home products. Products will need to be replenished regularly and you will occasionally need to add new products to your regimen. Most products last 2-3 months.
Acne Treatments and home care products are available at special rates when you commit to one of our Acne Treatment Boot Camps.
Are you located outside of the Chicagoland area but looking for assistance with clearing your acne?
Great news! Our Virtual Clear Skin coaching program is perfect.
