February 19, 2026
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Patient
Female, 33 years old
Initial concerns at the first visit:
– Excess oil production
– Inflammatory breakouts and acne
– Uneven skin tone and post-acne marks
– Enlarged pores
Skin type: oily, acne-prone.
It is important to note that the patient lives in Pennsylvania and travels specifically to New York City to receive treatments at Metodica Med Spa.
Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
At the first visit, a comprehensive skin analysis was performed using the VISIA Skin Analysis System, which allows for an objective evaluation of skin condition, pore size, inflammatory elements, and bacterial activity.
The client was not ready for device-based treatments, so the treatment plan focused on non-invasive in-office procedures combined with professional at-home skincare.
The main goals were to:
- reduce bacterial activity associated with acne
- decrease the number of inflammatory breakouts
- lighten post-acne marks
- regulate sebum production
- minimize the appearance of enlarged pores
In-Office Treatments
Customized retinol peel
The patient completed a course of retinol peels:
- 2 treatments in the spring (once per month)
- 2 treatments six months later in the winter (once per month)
This was not a standard retinol peel. A customized, layered retinol peel was performed, with the first layer individually selected based on the patient’s skin type and severity of acne. The second layer was a retinol peel.
Effect:
- peeling was more active
- the skin renewal process was more intensive
- visible improvement appeared early in the course
The patient was prepared for active peeling and traveled to our Med Spa specifically for this advanced retinol peel protocol.
Home Skincare
To enhance and maintain the results, a professional retinol-based home care regimen from ZO Skin Health was prescribed:
- Retinol 0.25% during the initial skin adaptation phase
- Retinol 0.5% after tolerance was established
Retinol was introduced gradually using a personalized schedule to:
- prevent excessive sensitivity
- minimize redness and irritation
- ensure safe, consistent, and long-term results
Why did this approach work?
Retinol is one of the most effective ingredients for treating acne and post-acne concerns. It:
- accelerates cell turnover
- reduces acne-causing bacterial activity
- regulates sebaceous gland function
- refines pores
- improves skin texture and tone
After completing the peel course, a follow-up VISIA skin analysis was performed. The number of porphyrins (yellow markers indicating bacterial activity) was reduced by seven times, confirming a significant improvement at the biological level.
Results
The result was achieved after 4 combined peeling treatments with retinol.
Following the course, we observed:
- a significant reduction in breakouts
- decreased oiliness
- visible pore refinement
- lightening of post-acne marks
- a brighter, more even skin tone
- healthy skin radiance
Repeat VISIA diagnostics confirmed positive skin changes and a marked decrease in bacterial activity.
This case clearly demonstrates how a systematic approach – combining professional Med Spa treatments with personalized home care – delivers stable and predictable results.
