Acne is a disease of the sebaceous glands. It expresses itself with pimples, pustules and blackheads. Particularly disturbing is that it occurs in visible areas: face, neck, décolleté, upper arms and back. Adolescents suffer most from it.

How to prevent the onset of acne, what options medicine offer and what a dermatologist can do for you will be discussed in this article.

We are available for a personal consultation. Book your appointment here.

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The contents of this article:

 

• Why does acne develop?

• In what forms does acne occur?

• What one can do about acne?

• What is special about our practice in regard to acne?

• What are the possibilities for alleviation and prevention?

• Our services

• New High-Tech Acne Therapy: The ACCURE® Laser

• Conclusion and summary

 

Why does acne develop?

During certain stages of life hormone production changes: e.g. during puberty, during pregnancy and during menopause. This stimulates sebum production. If the sebum cannot drain from the glands, blackheads and pimples form, and the skin looks impure.

Environmental influences can promote acne as well as stress and non-balanced nutrition. Even in modern cosmetics we find a variety of cosmetic products that cause acne with specific skin types (acne cosmetica). Chlorine, iodine, tar or oil can trigger acne venenata and some medications are the cause of acne medicamentosa.

 

In which forms does acne occur?

Acne vulgaris, is the correct medical term is further described to show the severity of the impurities / inflammation of the skin:

• Acne comedonica: when blackheads are prevalent
• Acne papulopustulosa: papules, pimples (pustules), some of which have already been inflamed
• Acne conglobata: Deep inflammatory nodules in the skin cause Abscesses. There abscesses could leave deep  acne scars on the skin which often scars patients for life.

 

What can you do about acne?

The good news is that acne usually disappears in early adulthood (from the age of 25). However, to avoid later scarring, medical treatment should start as early as possible.

In our practice we experience many manifestations of acne. Acne can be caused by severe mental stress. Treatment therefore covers a wide range of possibilities. Depending on the degree of severity, it starts with adapted skincare, medical care and applications to systemic therapies including drug treatment. Our practice use holistic approaches such as targeted micronutrient administration and individual microbiome diagnostics to address the causes of the disease.

As dermatologists we pay particular attention to factors that characterize the skin and discuss with our patients other possible causes such as psychological issues (stress, anxiety, etc.). We use this info as well as the severity of the disease to decide on a therapy. Only after obtaining a detailed history and an examination of the problem, will we, together with our patients, draw up a treatment plan based on our discussion.

We will gladly advise you in person about all possibilities and you are welcome to Book your appointment here.
 

What is special about our practice in regard to acne?

 
Prof. Dr. Rzany is co-author of the acne treatment guideline. He combines decades of experience from his dermatological work with a scientific background. You can also see from the following range of services from our Vienna practice in the treatment of acne that we can offer a holistic concept from a single source, which we are particularly proud of.

We are always at the forefront of innovation and scientific advancement – whether in medications or cutting-edge technologies. We are very proud to be the first clinic in Austria to offer a 1726 nm laser that precisely targets the sebaceous glands and effectively treats acne.

We offer all conventional therapies, but also provide various medication- and antibiotic-free treatment options.

 

What options are available to sufferers of acne?

For people who are prone to acne, regular care and cleansing is an important factor. In the more mild forms, peels and cleansing lotions with neutral or slightly acidic pH are suitable. If the clogged pores open, the sebum can drain away.

However in the inflammatory stage peels can lead to even more irritation. Fruit acid and moisturizing, low-fat creams and preparations are then a better choice while facial steam baths could be very beneficial.

Foods can have a big impact on skin. It is known that milk and dairy products can have a negative effect on the skin. Avoid sweets, alcohol and nicotine in excess. This not only promotes acne but can be the cause of many other ailments.

Direct sunlight or tanning beds can relieve acne, but inflammatory comedones can darken (postinflammatory hyperpigmentation) under the influence of UV light. It is known that intense sunlight accelerates skin aging and is involved in the development of skin cancer.

Another factor that favours the development of acne is stress and nervous tension. Stress changes our immune system and even our microbiome. People who are nervous often wipe their faces with their hands, press the skin on their cheeks or stroke their foreheads. Bacteria are distributed, which in turn promotes the formation of pimples.

Under no circumstances should pimples and blackheads be simply "squeezed" or "popped". This can aggravate the inflammation and damage the surrounding healthy skin.
 

Our services for acne, prevention and treatment

In the run-up to comprehensive treatment there is always an intensive diagnosis and recording of the history of the problem. Based on this, considering the individual skin needs, the therapy is planned:

• Recommended individual measures for skincare and cleansing, as well as for home treatment of blackheads and pimples.
• Local and systemic acne therapy.
• Advice on lifestyle and environment changes to improve skin condition (nutrition, stress, surroundings).
• Further diagnostics, such as blood tests and microbiome diagnostics.
• Nutritional advice from specialists in our network.

• The ACCURE® laser treatment is an innovative acne therapy that precisely targets and reduces overactive sebaceous glands, leading to a significant and long-lasting improvement in the skin’s appearance.

• Blemiderm concept: Blemiderm is the medical method for comprehensive treatment of acne in grades II-III. It is an active substance-based treatment using the latest scientific findings to correct active acne lesions, regulate the mechanisms triggering the pathology, and restore the quality of oily skin with active acne. The concept is complemented by a home treatment regime. 
• Complementary cosmetic treatment: Our cosmetologists at our center offer various treatments such as chemical peels or HydraFacial to improve your skin.
• Scar treatment (peels, microneedling, mesotherapy, laser treatment, surgical treatment, etc.).
   

New High-Tech Acne Therapy: The ACCURE® Laser

For some patients, creams, peels, or oral medications may not be sufficient — or they wish to avoid systemic acne treatments such as oral vitamin A.
We now offer an advanced and highly effective alternative:

ACCURE® – the first laser-based acne treatment in the DACH region

As the first clinic in Austria and the entire DACH region, we are proud to introduce the ACCURE® Laser – an FDA- and EMA-approved technology that targets the root cause of acne: the overactive sebaceous gland.

The laser operates at a specific wavelength of 1726 nm^*), which is selectively absorbed by the sebaceous glands. This process thermally reduces (coagulates) the overactive glands without damaging the skin surface.
The result is a long-lasting reduction in sebum production, leading to fewer breakouts, blackheads, and inflammations – completely without medication.

How does the ACCURE® treatment work?

• The standard protocol consists of four sessions, spaced four weeks apart.

• Each session lasts around 20–45 minutes, is well-tolerated, and requires no downtime.

• Many patients notice a visible improvement in their skin after just two treatments.

The skin becomes calmer, clearer, and smoother — all without systemic side effects.

 

Who is ACCURE® suitable for?

ACCURE® is ideal for:

• patients with moderate to severe acne,

• those who cannot or do not wish to take oral vitamin A,

• adults suffering from late-onset or hormonal acne,

• anyone seeking an effective, safe, and long-lasting acne solution.

• there are no restrictions for dark skin types. The treatment can be performed year-round, regardless of sun exposure.

Treatment cost

Pricing depends on the area treated:

• Small areas (e.g. perioral): from € 300 per session

• Full face: up to € 800 per session

A personalized treatment plan and cost estimate will be provided during your consultation. 

You can choose between two appointment types:

Select “General Dermatology” if you would like a holistic acne consultation, including a full medical history and blood tests. The Accure laser may be one possible treatment option, but all other therapies will also be considered. This appointment costs EUR 170.

If you have already had an acne consultation with us or at another clinic and would now like to receive advice specifically about the Accure laser treatment, please select “08a. Laser / Accure – Medical Consultation.” This appointment costs EUR 60.

The treatment costs are not covered by public health insurance. We are happy to assist you in preparing a reimbursement request for your private insurance.

Long-term results – without medication

Unlike oral acne medications that often provide only temporary results, the ACCURE® Laser directly targets the sebaceous glands to normalize sebum production long-term.
The result: clear, healthy skin – without tablets, creams, or systemic side effects.

Book your ACCURE® consultation todayand discover how the latest laser technology can help you treat acne effectively, safely, and sustainably.

If you would like to receive a consultation about the Accure laser, please book the appointment type “08a. Laser / Accure (Acne) – Pre-treatment consultation.”
This medical consultation is solely for discussing the possibility of a laser treatment with Accure.

If you would like a comprehensive acne consultation including a full medical history and blood testing, please select “General Dermatology.”

 

Summary Acne: Symptoms, Prevention and Therapy

Acne of varying degrees of severity can form during puberty (hormonal changes) and often disappears from the age of 25 years. Menopausal women also often suffer from acne while mental stress is also associated with this disease.

In many cases, with the change in lifestyle, the progress of the disease can be slowed down.

A timely and thorough examination and treatment recommendation by a dermatologist prevents the inflammatory course and unsightly scarring. 

In the meantime, there are many effective treatment options available — including modern laser therapies — to help achieve long-term control of acne.

You are welcome to make an appointment for a first consultation in our practice in Vienna.

Book your appointment here

 

*) Scopelliti, Matteo & Kothare, Amogh & Karavitis, Michael. (2022). A novel 1726-nm laser system for safe and effective treatment of acne vulgaris. Lasers in Medical Science. 37. 10.1007/s10103-022-03645-6.