Acne Treatments
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW About Acne Treatment
Contour Dermatology is one of the top acne treatment providers in the nation. Dr. Jochen is a ‘Top Doctor’ in Castle Connolly – Palm Springs Life for 9 years running and has been voted ‘Best of the Desert’ for the last 8 years!

Speak to a Board-Certified Acne Treatment Dermatologist for Advanced Care
Those who struggle with moderate to severe acne or acne scars often feel embarrassed or anxious about their appearance. If you’re tired of struggling with acne, don’t wait. Reach out to Contour Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Center.
As specialists in medical dermatology, our targeted acne treatments go beyond over-the-counter creams and rinses. Contour Dermatology offers tailored skin rejuvenation techniques that combat acne and treat acne scars. Schedule a consultation and begin your journey to clearer, revitalized skin.
What You Should Know About Acne
Acne is a skin condition that affects millions of people. While 85% of people in the United States struggle with some form of acne, around 20% develop severe acne that leads to scarring. While acne is commonly associated with adolescence, many adults continue to struggle with stubborn and persistent breakouts.
Most people know that acne develops due to clogged pores or excessive oil production. But why is it worse for some people than for others? Some factors that contribute to more severe breakouts include:
- Hormonal fluctuations, particularly during puberty.
- Stress and increased cortisol levels.
- Certain medications.
- Cosmetics and skincare products.
- Diet.
- Genetics.
With all these factors in play, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for acne. That’s why Dr. Timothy Jochen and the Contour Dermatology team offer a completely customized approach to acne treatment.

Accutane® Treatment for Cystic Acne
While most acne involves smaller pimples, cystic acne is a more severe form of the condition that causes nodules that turn into painful cysts, often leaving behind permanent scars. Accutane® is considered by many to be a miracle drug in treating cystic acne. This acne type is one of the most difficult to cure as it resists standard treatments, including oral antibiotics.
Accutane clears disfiguring pimples and cysts and helps prevent scarring. The psychological benefits that patients realize, in terms of increased self-confidence and self-esteem, are immeasurable.
Accutane does have side effects, including muscle aches, lip inflammation, drying of the skin and mucous membranes, and skin peeling on eyelids. It can also cause more serious side effects, such as changes in cholesterol levels and abnormal liver enzymes. This has led the FDA to limit its use for the most severe cases of cystic acne.
At Contour Dermatology, we carefully select and monitor patients who undergo Accutane treatment. Your safety is always of paramount importance to us.
Before & After Photos
Accutane has been in use for more than 22 years.
Accutane (Isotretinoin) has been in use for more than 20 years. “In my experience, Isotretinoin is akin to a miracle drug in treating cystic acne, which is one of the most difficult forms of acne to cure since it resists standard treatments, including oral antibiotics,” states Dr. Timothy Jochen. Accutane not only clears up the disfiguring pimples and cysts, but also helps prevent scarring. And the psychological benefits that patients realize, in terms of increased self-confidence and self-esteem, are immeasurable.
Accutane does have side effects, however. Most common are muscle aches, lip inflammation, drying of the skin and mucous membranes, and skin peeling on eyelids. More serious side effects include changes in cholesterol levels and abnormal liver enzymes. It may also cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy, and may cause depression, leading the FDA to limit its use for the most severe cases of cystic acne.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels can be a beneficial treatment for acne and acne scars. Among the variety of peels we offer, our Glycolic Peel and Salicylic Acid Peel are the most common for those with acne and oily skin.
Glycolic Acid Peel
This mild peel formulation deeply penetrates the skin to unclog pores and prevent future breakouts. Regular exfoliation with a Glycolic Acid Peel can lead to a smoother, more radiant complexion while helping to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and acne scars.
Salicylic Acid Peel
A Salicylic Acid Peel is a superficial chemical peel that uses a chemical exfoliant called Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA) to remove dead and dull cells from your skin’s surface. This stimulates renewal within the skin, bringing new, healthy skin to the surface. A Glycolic Acid Peel also penetrates skin follicles and pores, making it well-suited for treating acne as it can minimize the appearance of acne scars, hyperpigmentation and enlarged pores.
The process takes just minutes, and no anesthesia is required. Following treatment, your skin may lightly peel for a few days.
Smoothbeam Laser
The Smoothbeam® is a specially designed laser treatment that targets the root cause of acne — overactive sebaceous glands. The procedure delivers precise heating of the upper dermis, balanced with controlled cooling of the epidermis to shrink the sebaceous glands and reduce oil production to help minimize acne breakouts. SmoothBeam can also soften acne scars to improve their appearance. We offer special student rates for SmoothBeam laser treatments.
Sublative Radio Frequency
Experience the only technology proven to reduce a wide range of acne scars safely and effectively. Sublative Radio Frequency works on all skin tones, delivering controlled RF energy into the skin’s deeper layers to reduce the appearance of acne scars and improve the overall texture of your skin.
Fraxel Laser
Stimulate collagen production and resurface your skin with Fraxel Laser treatment. This advanced acne scar procedure treats only a fraction of your skin at a time with thousands of tiny laser beams, creating targeted micro-injuries while leaving the surrounding tissue unaffected. “Fractional” laser treatments enable the skin to heal much faster than if the entire area were treated at once, stimulating the creation of new, healthy and tighter tissue to replace skin imperfections. Fraxel Laser treatment is effective on even delicate skin areas such as the face, neck, chest and hands.
Elōs® Laser
If traditional topical or oral therapies for acne haven’t worked for you, or you’d simply like an alternative treatment, The Laser Center at Contour Dermatology is pleased to offer elōs® acne treatment. Using a new AC (acne clearance) Applicator powered by elōs® technology, this treatment uses a specific spectrum of light that targets the bacteria that cause acne.
AC Applicator treatments are performed twice a week for four to six weeks. Each treatment session takes about 15 minutes, and the sensation is often described as a “hot pinch” that lasts for a fraction of a second, followed by brief warmth or a tingling sensation.
The cooling tip of the applicator makes the treatment comfortable, and most patients do not use any topical anesthetic. Plus, there’s virtually no downtime. Most patients experience some temporary skin redness following treatment, but they can return to regular activities right away.
Regarding treatment results, Dr. Jochen notes:
“Most patients report a noticeable improvement as early as three weeks into the treatment schedule. This is one of the safest acne treatment systems available, and it’s appropriate for all skin tones and types.”
We offer special student rates for elōs® acne treatment.
Why Choose Us for Medical Acne Care and Acne Scar Treatment
Contour Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Center understands the frustration and embarrassment of persistent acne or acne scars. We’re committed to helping you feel great about your skin. As specialists in medical and cosmetic dermatology, we seamlessly blend clinical precision with aesthetic artistry to help you attain the results you’ve dreamed of.
Along with the most advanced acne treatments, we offer a variety of skincare solutions to create a personalized treatment plan curated to your unique needs. From leading skincare products to cutting-edge technologies, we are your source for dermatology and aesthetic services in Southern California.
Find an Acne Doctor Near You at Contour Dermatology
Take your first step toward a more radiant, blemish-free complexion. Contact Contour Dermatology to schedule a consultation for acne treatment at one of our locations in Southern California.