Best Acne Treatments in NYC by Leading Acne Specialist Dr. Jaliman

Oral medication such as antibiotics like doxycycline, minocycline or erythromycin reduces bacteria and inflammation. Oral contraceptives regulate hormonal acne. Spironolactone blocks androgen activity to reduce oil production. Accutane helps severe cystic acne. In office treatments, like chemical peels, help exfoliate and unclog pores.

Pause use and contact your dermatologist. Sometimes reducing frequency or switching products can resolve irritation.

Yes, over-the-counter (OTC) products can be effective for mild acne, especially when used consistently. The key is choosing the right ingredients for your skin type and acne severity. Look for ingredients, such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, adapalene, sulfur and niacinamide.

You may see some initial improvement after 2 to 4 weeks, but it usually it takes 8 to 12 weeks to see significant improvement.

It is better to treat your acne earlier to prevent the risk of scarring, other permanent damage to the deeper layers of the skin and other complications. Early intervention prevents mild acne from progressing to more severe forms. Acne can affect self-esteem and confidence and addressing it early minimizes emotional distress, anxiety and depression from this skin disorder.

There is a prescription topical 4% Minocycline foam called Amzeeq. It is very safe and effective. Winlevi is another topical prescription medication that blocks androgens in the skin.

The best acne treatment for your skin type depends on whether your skin is oily, dry, sensitive, or combination. At Dr. Debra Jaliman’s NYC dermatology office, we evaluate your skin during a personalized consultation and create a custom acne treatment plan that targets the root causes of your breakouts. This may include topical products, oral medications, or in-office procedures tailored to your skin’s unique needs. Choosing the right treatment helps reduce acne without irritation and improves long-term skin health.

Yes—combining in-office acne treatments with a dermatologist-recommended at-home skincare routine often delivers the best results. In-office procedures like extractions, chemical peels, LED light therapy, and Laser Genesis can enhance the effectiveness of topical or oral medications used at home. Dr. Jaliman creates an integrated treatment plan using both professional and at-home options to help you achieve clearer skin faster and prevent future breakouts.

If you have acne cysts or large nodules on your skin, you definitely need to visit a dermatologist. If you have acne that is scarring, you should see a dermatologist immediately. Or if you have acne that you are not able to control with over-the-counter medications, it would be a good idea to seek a dermatologist's help with a customized treatment plan.

When choosing a dermatologist for acne, you want to choose a doctor who is a specialist in acne. Dr. Jaliman is a board-certified dermatologist, and she has advanced training and in diagnosing and treating acne. She also specializes in acne treatment and cosmetic dermatology, which is helpful for addressing scarring and pigmentation. Fifty percent of the medical patients that Dr Jaliman treats are for acne. She is considered one of the best acne dermatologists in NYC because she has years of experience dealing with every type of acne, from cystic acne with scarring to mild acne in patients who have acne-prone ultra sensitive skin. She will address your specific skin type and treat your acne with a customized treatment plan.

Oftentimes, acne can be treated with prescription topical medications. These include medications that kill the bacteria on the skin, which are called topical antibiotics. There are also products that decrease the oil on the skin and help the dead skin cells to slough off the surface. These medications are called retinoids. Then there is a category of medication called dapsone, which is an anti-inflammatory medication. There is a new medication which is a topical hormone blocker. This is the newest advance in acne treatment (Winlevi).

There are low-dose-time released antibiotics that can be taken orally that are effective. There are also acne antibiotics that specifically target just acne, such as Sarecycline, which isn't used to treat anything else. If the acne is very severe, then Accutane (Isotretinoin) can be used. This is prescription medication that is taken twice daily by mouth for 20 weeks. It is usually used to treat severe cystic acne. It is very effective but does have side effects that Dr Jaliman will discuss with you. It is an excellent treatment if the severity of your condition warrants it. Many patients see improvement after 2–3 months of treatment.

It is important to tell your dermatologist if you are taking birth control pills. Some birth control pills make acne worse and some make it better. There are some birth control pills that have FDA approval to improve acne. These include Estrostep, Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Yaz. These regulate hormone levels by suppressing androgens that stimulate oil production.

It can provide long-term remission for many patients, but some may need additional treatments later.

We tailor treatment to minimize hyperpigmentation and prevent irritation, which is more common in skin of color.

Yes, some treatments can trigger dark spots. Using gentle products and proper sun protection helps reduce this risk.

For patients with sensitive skin, Dr. Jaliman designs gentle, effective protocols using medical-grade products, non-irritating topical treatments, and appropriate laser options tailored to avoid triggering redness or irritation.

The cost of acne treatment can vary. Many acne treatments are covered by insurance, so it’s a good idea to check with your provider. However, treatments like LED red and blue light therapy, medical facials, peels, and lasers are generally not covered by insurance.

To schedule an appointment, call board certified dermatologist Dr Debra Jaliman at. We work with a variety of insurance providers, so your office visits and prescriptions may be fully or partially covered based on your plan. Please note that microdermabrasion, peels, and laser treatments are not included in coverage.

Twice a day (morning and night) with a gentle cleanser. Over-washing can strip the skin and make acne worse.

Dr. Jaliman will go over all the products and everything that you use on your face. Including but not limited to your sunscreen, primer, makeup, moisturizer, serum, micellar water, anti-aging products and any other wrinkle cream you may be using. Oily hair products can also block oil glands on the forehead and cause the development of pustules, bumps and pimples along the hairline. You can have the best skin care regimen, but if one of the products you use contains a comedogenic oil, it will block your pores, you will still break out. She will give you advice and detailed information on the way to cleanse your skin and how to take care of it. She often finds something that causes the problem and eliminates it from the skin care routine.

Noncomedogenic means that it will not block your pores. It is very important that all the products you choose for your acne-prone skin fall into this category.

Any comedogenic ingredient that blocks the pores, for example, an ointment. These ingredients include many oils, like avocado oil, apricot oil, mineral oil, almond oil, coconut oil, beeswax and silicone. Another ingredient that exacerbates acne is Shea butter. This is found in a lot of skin care products.

Some makeup products contain ingredients that clog pores, leading to acne. Look out for Oils such as coconut oil or mineral oil and silicones such dimethicone.

If you don’t cleanse your skin thoroughly at the end of the day, makeup, dirt, and oils can build up, clogging pores and causing breakouts. It’s crucial to remove all makeup using a gentle cleanser or micellar water. Dirty makeup brushes or sponges can introduce bacteria to your skin, which can worsen acne. Be sure to clean your tools regularly to prevent breakouts.

Hyaluronic acid is a good hydrating ingredient for acne-prone patients. It adds moisture to the skin without clogging the pores. You can find it in a wide variety of products, including serums, creams and cleansers. Glycerin is another reactant that helps draw moisture into the skin and is good for acne-prone skin. Squalane is another option, as are ceramides.

Some studies show that dairy products should be limited, especially cow's milk containing hormones. High glycemic foods containing sugar and refined carbohydrates such as cookies, cake and candy should be avoided as they can be triggers for acne flares.

The best treatment for hyperpigmentation after acne (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH) depends on your skin type and severity. A combination of topical ingredients, professional treatments, and sun protection works best. We have specially made products that are safe and effective that contain kojic acid, 20 percent vitamin C and 12 % azeleic acid to lighten this pigment.

It can if you use harsh razors or shave over active breakouts. Use a clean razor and soothing shave gel.

Yes, oily or waxy products can clog pores, leading to breakouts along the hairline (called “pomade acne”).

Yes, picking can worsen inflammation and lead to scarring or dark spots.