La Jolla & San Diego Acne Specialists

La Jolla & San Diego Acne Specialists focuses solely on acne. The studio is in Suite 112 at 7655 Girard Ave and welcomes clients from La Jolla, Bird Rock, UTC, University City, Del Mar, Clairemont, Pacific Beach, Point Loma and the surrounding area. Clients range from middle and high school students and college students to adults. The business also goes by La Jolla Acne Specialists (LJAS).

Every new client starts with a New Client Consultation of about 90 minutes. The visit includes an in-depth look at skin, current products, hormones, diet and lifestyle, followed by an individualized treatment plan, often with light extractions and a corrective peel. Clients are expected to buy and use the regimen recommended at that visit before treatments are offered. Topical prescription acne medications such as Retin A, Differin, Epiduo and antibiotics are to be stopped seven to fourteen days beforehand, and new clients are asked to bring photos and ingredient lists of their hair, makeup, laundry, shower and shave products.

Treatment options include Acne Treatment with Extractions and LED, about 45 to 60 minutes, which combines a peel or enzyme treatment, extractions and either Celluma or Illuminate LED. Face and back acne can be treated together in one visit of about 90 minutes without LED, or about 90 to 120 minutes with LED, which is used on the face only. Extraction and LED time varies by client. The Celluma panel is described as FDA cleared and combines blue, red and infrared light; Illuminate is described as twice as strong as Celluma.

Clients are typically seen every two weeks. The site suggests 3 to 6 months for results, a timeframe that varies from person to person. Scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are treated only while active acne is present. The studio describes its acne treatments as highly rated.

Booking runs through the Vagaro listing or app, and a credit card is required to book and is kept on file for product purchases and cancellation fees. Missed, cancelled or no-show appointments can be charged the full treatment fee, and changes need 48 hours' notice. A client who has not made contact within 15 minutes of the appointment time is treated as a no-show. Products are arranged by text, with shipping added and tracking on request. Major credit cards and cash are accepted; checks, insurance, HSA and FSA are not. The studio is open Tuesday to Friday, 12:30 to 6:30 PM, by appointment only. Parking is free but on the street. Because calls may go unanswered during services, the site suggests texting 858-333-2556.

Treatment is planned around each client, using proven ingredients and protocols, with acne as the only focus.