Breakouts · Congestion · Scarring
Acne TreatmentClear the breakouts, fade the marks, soften the scarring.
Acne is three problems, and each needs a different instrument. HydraFacial clears congestion without the pressure that spreads inflammation, enzyme therapy rebuilds the barrier keeping breakouts active, and peels or microchanneling work through what they leave behind. Every protocol avoids triggering the dark marks that last longer than the breakout.
- Three phases, three different treatments
- Priced from $199 to $475
- No dark marks left behind
- Dermatologist referral when needed
HydraFacial (active breakouts/congestion)
$259
- By appointment only
- Free parking
- Consultations included — the plan is set before you book
“I've been going for 4–5 years now, and I honestly wouldn't trust anyone else with my skin.”
Quick Answer
Acne treatment at KIAMO Skin in San Diego is corrective rather than extraction-only: HydraFacial clears congestion, LIRA chemical peels address the marks acne leaves behind, and Procell microchanneling softens scarring. Kiki is a California licensed esthetician with 7+ years of experience, and treats all skin types from Fitzpatrick I to VI.
What it addresses
What clients book this for
- Active hormonal acne and inflammatory breakouts
- Cystic acne and nodular acne lesions
- Blackheads, whiteheads, and congested pores
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark marks after acne)
- Acne scarring and uneven texture
- Oily, acne-prone skin prone to recurrent breakouts
Pricing in San Diego
Every price below is published before you book. Nothing is quoted at the door, and the first visit includes the consultation that decides the plan.
- HydraFacial (active breakouts/congestion)
- $259
- Deep pore cleansing and extraction for blackheads, whiteheads, and active breakouts. Reduces congestion without manual pressure that can worsen inflammation.
- DMK Enzyme Therapy Level 1 (barrier repair)
- $279
- Enzymatic treatment that rebuilds a compromised skin barrier contributing to recurrent breakouts. Addresses inflammation and supports long-term skin health.
- LIRA Chemical Peel (hyperpigmentation)
- $199
- Professional-grade peel formulated to fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark marks) left after acne clears. Applied correctly to minimize risk of worsening pigmentation.
- Procell Microchanneling (acne scarring)
- $475
- Collagen-stimulating treatment for atrophic acne scars (indented scars). A series of three treatments ($1,199) is typically needed to see measurable improvement in scar depth and texture.
Quick Answer
Acne treatment at KIAMO Skin in San Diego is corrective rather than extraction-only: HydraFacial clears congestion, LIRA chemical peels address the marks acne leaves behind, and Procell microchanneling softens scarring. Kiki is a California licensed esthetician with 7+ years of experience, and treats all skin types from Fitzpatrick I to VI.
A published case
Atrophic softening of the kind that lingers long after the breakouts close — the deepest change in the set, and the slowest.
- Procell Microchanneling
- 3
- Over 4 months
Every figure is the studio's own record from that case, photographed with written consent and published in full. See the full case
Before you commit
The price comes first
Every treatment price is published on the menu. Nothing is quoted at the door, and the first visit includes the consultation that decides the plan.
Nothing is treated before it is assessed
A full consultation and skin analysis come first, and the treatment is chosen around what your skin is doing that day.
A stated cancellation window
Please give 48 hours notice to reschedule. Cancellations inside 24 hours are charged 50% of the service; no-shows are charged in full.
Every Google review of the studio is published in full, named and dated, at the reviews page.
Before you book
Questions, answered
Does HydraFacial help with acne?
HydraFacial helps with acne by extracting blackheads, whiteheads, and surface congestion without manual pressure that can worsen inflammation. It is most effective for comedonal acne (clogged pores) and mild inflammatory breakouts. For cystic acne or severe hormonal acne, HydraFacial is paired with DMK Enzyme Therapy or prescribed treatments from a dermatologist, because extraction alone does not address the deeper causes of those breakout patterns.
What is the best facial for acne in San Diego?
The best facial for acne depends on what phase the skin is in. HydraFacial clears congestion and blackheads, DMK Enzyme Therapy rebuilds a compromised barrier that is allowing bacteria to thrive, and chemical peels fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation left after breakouts clear. There is no single "best" facial for acne because active breakouts, congestion, and post-acne marks each require different treatments. The right treatment is decided at the consultation after assessing the skin.
How much does acne treatment cost in San Diego?
Acne treatment at KIAMO Skin ranges from $199 to $475 per session depending on the treatment. HydraFacial for congestion and active breakouts is $259. LIRA Chemical Peels for post-acne hyperpigmentation start at $199. DMK Enzyme Therapy for barrier repair is $279. Procell Microchanneling for acne scarring is $475, with a three-treatment series at $1,199. The cost depends on which phase of acne is being treated — active breakouts, hyperpigmentation, or scarring.
How long does it take for acne treatment to work?
Acne treatment works over weeks to months, not days. Congestion and blackheads improve after one HydraFacial session, but hormonal breakouts take 6 to 8 weeks to respond to consistent treatment because the skin cell turnover cycle is 28 days. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation fades over 8 to 12 weeks with a series of chemical peels. Acne scarring requires three to six Procell Microchanneling sessions spaced weeks apart. Acne is managed over time — one facial does not clear a chronic breakout pattern.
Should I see an esthetician or dermatologist for acne?
See both if acne is persistent or cystic. Dermatologists prescribe medication (retinoids, antibiotics, hormonal treatments) that address acne from the inside, while licensed estheticians provide corrective facials that extract congestion, fade hyperpigmentation, and support barrier health from the outside. Estheticians cannot prescribe medication, and dermatologists rarely perform the extraction and corrective work an esthetician does. For severe acne, dermatologist care plus consistent facials produces better results than either alone.
Will chemical peels make my hyperpigmentation worse?
Chemical peels can make hyperpigmentation worse if applied incorrectly or at too high a strength without proper preparation. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation worsens when inflammation triggers additional melanin production, which is why peels for acne marks start at lower strengths and escalate gradually across a series rather than in one aggressive session. LIRA Chemical Peels at KIAMO Skin are formulated specifically to fade pigmentation without the rebound darkening that can happen with peels applied too aggressively. The strength and frequency are decided based on how the skin responds, not a fixed protocol.