Congestion and mild breakouts
Blackheads, whiteheads and the occasional spot. Addressed with extraction-based facials, salicylic peels and a skin care routine; often enough on its own.
Clearer skin now, smoother skin over time.
Breakout-prone skin, post-acne marks and acne scarring are treated at Wise Aesthetics in Carmel, Indiana as three separate problems. Congestion and mild breakouts are addressed with clinical facials and salicylic peels; the dark or red marks breakouts leave behind respond to peels, facials and BBL®; pitted or textured scars need treatments that rebuild collagen, such as VirtueRF radiofrequency microneedling, microneedling, CoolPeel® or Halo™, over a series. Active, cystic or moderate-to-severe acne is a medical condition, and we will refer you to a dermatologist for management before or alongside cosmetic treatment. Individual results vary.
Under the medical direction of Dr. Rajiv Sood, board-certified plastic surgeon.
Acne starts when oil and dead cells block a pore and bacteria multiply inside it. The body's inflammatory response is what makes the spot red and swollen, and that same inflammation is what leaves a mark or a scar behind. Hormones drive oil production, which is why acne often begins in the teens and, for many women, flares along the jawline each month well into adulthood. Genetics set how readily skin scars.
What a breakout leaves behind depends on how deep the inflammation went. Shallow inflammation leaves a flat mark, red on lighter skin and brown on deeper skin tones, that fades over months; this is post-inflammatory pigment, not a scar, and it responds well to peels and light treatments. Deeper inflammation destroys collagen in the skin and leaves a true scar: pitted "ice pick" scars, broader rolling or boxcar depressions, or, on the jawline, chest and back, raised scars. True scars do not fade on their own and need treatments that rebuild collagen.
Two things make scarring worse: picking and squeezing, which drives inflammation deeper, and leaving moderate or severe acne untreated. That is why we take active acne seriously and refer it for medical management rather than treating around it.
Under the medical direction of Dr. Rajiv Sood, board-certified plastic surgeon.
Which of these you have decides the plan, and most clients have more than one.
Blackheads, whiteheads and the occasional spot. Addressed with extraction-based facials, salicylic peels and a skin care routine; often enough on its own.
Frequent inflamed spots, cysts or nodules. A medical condition that needs a dermatologist's management, often with prescription care. We treat marks and scars once it is controlled.
Flat red or brown marks left after spots heal. Not scars; they fade with time and respond to peels, facials and BBL® over a series.
Pitted, rolling, boxcar or raised scars where collagen was lost. Need collagen-rebuilding treatments such as VirtueRF, microneedling or resurfacing lasers over a series; improvement, not erasure, is the realistic goal.
The plan follows the type. Clearing congestion comes first, marks next, and scar treatment once the skin is calm.
We do not prescribe acne medication. If your acne is active and moderate to severe, we will refer you to a dermatologist and treat marks and scars once it is under control, because treating scars on inflamed skin gives poor results.
Your provider will:
Facials show immediately and congestion improves over a few visits. Marks fade over a series of peels or BBL®, usually across two to three months. Scars improve gradually as collagen rebuilds, with the main change 2 to 4 months after a series and continuing afterward; several series may be needed for deep scarring. Individual results vary.
Adults and older teens with congestion, post-acne marks or scarring are usually candidates for some level of treatment, with the choice depending on skin type and whether acne is active. Treatment may not be appropriate, or may need to wait, if you have active moderate-to-severe acne, have taken isotretinoin in the past year (for resurfacing and peels), are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an active skin infection or cold sore, have a history of keloid scarring, or have had recent sun exposure. Each treatment page lists its own considerations, and your provider will review your medical history at consultation. This page is general information and is not medical advice.
Active, cystic or moderate-to-severe acne is a medical condition. We will recommend a dermatologist for medical management, which can include prescription care, before or alongside cosmetic treatment, and we treat marks and scars once the acne is controlled.
Mild congestion and occasional breakouts, yes: facials and salicylic peels help, with a skin care routine. Frequent inflamed spots, cysts or nodules are a medical condition that needs a dermatologist's management, often with prescription care, and we will refer you. We treat the marks and scars once the acne is controlled.
Flat red or brown marks after breakouts are pigment, not scars, and they fade. Peels such as the VI Peel®, BBL® for suitable skin types, and daily sunscreen with a retinoid speed that up considerably over a series. Individual results vary.
No. True acne scars can be improved, often considerably, but not erased. Radiofrequency microneedling, microneedling and resurfacing rebuild collagen and soften scar edges over a series; deep ice-pick scars are the hardest to change. Your provider will give you a realistic picture of what to expect for your scars. Individual results vary.
For rolling and boxcar scars, VirtueRF radiofrequency microneedling is usually the first choice because it rebuilds collagen beneath the scar. Resurfacing with CoolPeel® or Halo™ smooths the surface and is often added. Microneedling without heat suits deeper skin tones. Most scar plans combine two of these over several months. Individual results vary.
Yes. Microneedling, VirtueRF and the VI Peel® suit all skin types; lasers and BBL® are used selectively on deeper skin tones because of the risk of dark marks. Your provider assesses before recommending.
Yes. Peels, BBL® and microneedling are used on the chest and back for breakouts, marks and scarring.
Cost depends on the type of scarring and the number of treatments in the series. Each treatment page describes what a typical client pays, and your provider will give you a written cost at consultation. Journey membership includes CoolPeel® and microneedling; Essentials and Journey members receive 10% off other treatments and skin care.
More questions? Read our full FAQs, or call or text 317-569-6448.
| Monday | 9am to 5pm |
| Tuesday to Thursday | 9am to 6pm |
| Friday | 9am to 5pm |
| Saturday and Sunday | Closed |
Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Zionsville and the greater Indianapolis area.
Individual results vary. This page is general information and is not medical advice. Treatment suitability is determined at consultation. Treatments are provided under the medical direction of Dr. Rajiv Sood, board-certified plastic surgeon.