Acne Isn't Just
a Skin Problem.
It's one of the most emotionally loaded conditions we treat. At Arca, we go further than most — investigating root causes, prescribing where needed, and building a plan that clears your skin and keeps it that way.
Most treatments fix the surface. We want to know why.
Acne is a multifactorial condition. The spots on your skin are the end result of a chain of events happening deeper — in your hormones, your gut, your metabolism, and your immune response. Treating only what's visible without understanding what's driving it rarely produces lasting results.
Dr. Adè's approach begins with a thorough assessment of the likely drivers behind your acne — before deciding on treatment. For some patients, that means baseline blood work. For others, it begins with understanding the timeline, patterns, and what has and hasn't worked before.
Hormonal fluctuations
Androgens drive excess sebum production. Adult female acne — especially along the jaw and chin — is frequently hormonal and requires a different approach to teenage acne.
Insulin resistance
Elevated insulin stimulates sebum production and skin cell turnover — a known acne driver that diet and metabolic interventions can meaningfully improve.
Gut health & inflammation
The gut-skin axis is well established. Systemic inflammation and gut dysbiosis are increasingly linked to inflammatory acne that doesn't respond to topical treatment alone.
Nutritional deficiencies
Zinc, vitamin D, and B vitamins all play roles in skin barrier function and inflammation regulation. Deficiencies are common and often go unidentified.
Three things that set us apart.
Acne treatment at Arca is medical, not cosmetic. That distinction changes everything about how we assess, treat, and support you through the process.
01
Root cause first
We don't guess. Before prescribing or treating, Dr. Adè takes a thorough history and, where clinically indicated, requests baseline blood work — hormonal panels, insulin, thyroid, inflammatory markers, and nutritional status. Treatment follows understanding.
02
Melanin-safe always
Aggressive acne treatment on melanin-rich skin can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) — a second problem on top of the first. Our protocols are chosen specifically for their safety on darker skin tones, without compromising results.
03
Doctor-led prescriptions
As a medical doctor, Dr. Adè can prescribe topical and oral medications that clinics without a prescribing doctor cannot offer — retinoids, antibiotics, spironolactone, and other evidence-based treatments when clinically appropriate.
"Acne carries a weight that goes far beyond the skin. My job is not just to clear your skin — it is to give you an honest explanation of why it's happening and a plan that actually lasts. That requires proper investigation, not just a product recommendation."— Dr. Adè, Medical Director, Arca Wellness
We look beyond the surface.
Where clinically indicated, Dr. Adè may request baseline blood work to identify the underlying drivers of your acne. This is not standard practice at most skin clinics — it is what makes Arca different.
Hormonal panel
Androgens (testosterone, DHEA-S, SHBG) drive sebum overproduction. Particularly relevant in adult female acne with jaw, chin, or neck distribution — and in patients with PCOS or irregular cycles.
Who it helps: Adult women with hormonal acne patterns
Insulin & blood glucose
Insulin resistance promotes excess androgen production and skin cell hyperproliferation. Identifying this opens the door to dietary and metabolic interventions that improve acne from the inside.
Who it helps: Patients with stubborn, dietary-linked acne
Thyroid function
An underactive thyroid affects skin cell turnover and barrier function — an often-missed contributor to persistent acne and poor treatment response. TSH, T3, and T4 form part of a comprehensive panel.
Who it helps: Patients with fatigue, weight changes, or poor response to treatment
Inflammatory markers
CRP and other markers indicate systemic inflammation levels. Elevated inflammation suggests the acne is part of a broader immune or gut-related picture — and guides whether systemic treatment is appropriate.
Who it helps: Inflammatory or cystic acne patients
Nutritional deficiencies
Zinc is critical for skin healing and sebum regulation. Vitamin D modulates the immune response to acne bacteria. B-vitamin deficiencies affect inflammation and cell repair. All are commonly deficient and rarely tested.
Who it helps: Patients with slow healing or recurrent infections
Gut health & lifestyle
While formal gut testing is beyond our scope, Dr. Adè assesses diet, stress patterns, and lifestyle factors that are known to contribute to gut dysbiosis and systemic inflammation — and provides evidence-based guidance.
Who it helps: Patients with diet-responsive or stress-triggered acne
Treatment built around you.
Arca's acne toolkit is medical-grade and multifaceted. Most patients use a combination of approaches — what we select depends entirely on your skin, your history, and what the investigation reveals.
Prescriptions
Medical-grade skincare & prescriptions
As a prescribing doctor, Dr. Adè can offer topical and oral treatments that go beyond what over-the-counter or clinic-grade products can achieve. This includes prescription-strength retinoids, topical and oral antibiotics, azelaic acid, and — where appropriate — spironolactone for hormonal acne. Every prescription is paired with a structured homecare routine designed for your skin type.
In-clinic
Chemical peels for active acne
Targeted chemical peels accelerate cell turnover, unclog pores, and reduce active breakouts while improving post-acne pigmentation. We use mandelic and salicylic acid formulations chosen specifically for their safety on melanin-rich skin — exfoliating without triggering PIH. Used as a course alongside homecare, peels significantly improve congestion, texture, and tone.
Scarring
Microneedling for acne scars
Once active acne is under control, post-acne scarring — atrophic scars, textural irregularities, and rolling indentations — can be addressed with microneedling. Controlled micro-injury triggers the skin's repair cascade, stimulating collagen remodelling and progressive scar improvement. Results build across multiple sessions, with noticeable textural improvement typically visible from session 2 onwards.
Homecare
Personalised skincare routine
What you do at home accounts for the majority of your result. Dr. Adè builds a structured daily routine that works with your treatment — not against it. That means addressing the barrier, managing oil production, treating active lesions, and protecting the skin from the triggers that sustain the cycle. Simple, evidence-based, and specific to you.
Clear. Correct. Maintain.
Acne treatment is not a single appointment — it is a programme. Most patients move through three phases, each building on the last. The timeline varies, but the destination is the same.
Phase 01
Clear
The first goal is getting active breakouts under control. This phase combines investigation, prescription treatment, homecare restructuring, and in-clinic peels. For most patients, meaningful clearing begins within 6–12 weeks — though hormonal or cystic acne may take longer.
Acne One assessment + history
Baseline blood work (where indicated)
Medical prescriptions
Chemical peel course
Structured homecare routine
Timeline: 6–12 weeks
Phase 02
Correct
Once active acne is controlled, attention turns to what it has left behind — post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), textural changes, and atrophic scars. This phase uses targeted peels and microneedling to correct the skin's surface and restore even tone and texture.
Continued homecare
Pigmentation-targeting peels
Microneedling (atrophic scarring)
Prescription adjustments as needed
Timeline: 3–6 months
Phase 03
Maintain
Clear skin requires maintenance. This phase is about locking in your results, identifying and managing ongoing triggers, and keeping the skin resilient. Most patients need periodic check-ins, prescription reviews, and occasional maintenance treatments — far less intensive than Phases 1 and 2.
Prescription review consultations
Maintenance peel treatments
Ongoing homecare adjustments
Trigger monitoring + lifestyle support
Timeline: Ongoing · quarterly check-ins
Transparent pricing
Acne treatment at Arca begins with a dedicated assessment and builds into a structured programme. All treatments are performed by Dr. Adè.
Where you start
Acne One
R1,250
per consultation
Your first acne appointment — 30 minutes with Dr. Adè to assess triggers, review history, and build your treatment plan. Prescriptions and in-clinic treatments are quoted from here.
Book Acne OneResurfacing
Level 1 Peel
R1,380
per treatment
Gentle resurfacing for mild congestion, early breakouts, and maintenance. Minimal downtime. Often the starting peel for acne-prone or sensitive skin.
Book Level 1 PeelResurfacing
Level 2 Peel
R1,598
per treatment
Medium-strength for active congestion, PIH, and uneven tone. Expect mild peeling over 5–7 days. Most effective as a course of 3–6 treatments.
Book Level 2 PeelScarring
Microneedling
From R1,990
per session · face
Collagen-remodelling treatment for post-acne scarring and textural irregularities. Recommended in Phase 2 once active acne is controlled.
Book MicroneedlingWhat patients ask us
I've tried everything. Will this actually work?
That depends on what's driving your acne — and whether it has been properly investigated. Many patients who've tried multiple treatments have never had a hormonal panel, insulin check, or proper dietary assessment. Understanding the root cause often unlocks treatment options that were previously missed. We can't promise results, but we can promise a more thorough approach than most.
Do I need blood tests?
Not automatically. Dr. Adè will assess whether blood work is indicated based on your history and the pattern of your acne. For some patients — particularly those with hormonal acne, poor treatment response, or suspected metabolic involvement — bloods are a valuable step. For others, clinical assessment is sufficient to begin treatment.
Is acne treatment safe for darker skin tones?
Yes — when done correctly. The risk on melanin-rich skin is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which can result from aggressive or poorly chosen treatments. Dr. Adè's protocols are specifically selected for their safety profile on darker skin, using mandelic and salicylic acids that exfoliate without triggering excessive melanin response.
Can you prescribe Roaccutane (isotretinoin)?
Isotretinoin requires specialist dermatology oversight and is not prescribed at Arca. For patients who may be candidates for isotretinoin, Dr. Adè will advise accordingly and refer to the appropriate specialist. We can, however, manage most moderate-to-severe acne effectively with the range of prescriptions within our scope.
How long before I see results?
Most patients begin to see meaningful improvement in active breakouts within 6–12 weeks of starting a structured treatment plan. Hormonal or cystic acne may take longer. Post-acne marks and scarring — addressed in Phase 2 — typically improve over 3–6 months of consistent treatment.
Do I need to come in regularly?
In the clearing phase (Phase 1), we typically see patients every 3–4 weeks for peel treatments and prescription reviews. Once stable, visits become less frequent — quarterly check-ins are sufficient for most maintenance-phase patients. Virtual prescription review appointments are also available for existing patients.
Can you treat acne scarring at the same time as active acne?
Not simultaneously. Microneedling on active acne can spread bacteria and worsen breakouts. We address active acne first — typically for at least one full treatment cycle — before introducing scar correction treatments. The two phases are sequential, not concurrent.
What if my acne is hormonal — can you treat that?
Yes. Hormonal acne is one of the most common presentations we treat, particularly in adult women. Dr. Adè can prescribe spironolactone — an anti-androgen medication that is highly effective for hormonal acne — alongside topical treatments and in-clinic care. A hormonal blood panel helps confirm the diagnosis and guides dosing.
Book your Acne One appointment
Your first step is a 30-minute assessment with Dr. Adè. We'll get to the root of what's happening and build a plan that's specific to your skin.