Acne-Prone Skin? How Our Clear Skin Acne Program Works
ROW 89 Team • October 16, 2026 • 5 min read
If you have acne-prone skin, you have probably tried a facial hoping it would reset everything. A single professional treatment can leave skin feeling cleaner and calmer, but acne usually does not work on a one-appointment timeline. Breakouts form over weeks, and the habits, products and triggers behind them often need steady attention. That is why we built the Clear Skin Acne Program at ROW 89, 219A East 89th Street on the Upper East Side: a structured series of treatments paired with a home-care routine and check-ins with a medical provider.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Your provider will advise you on what is appropriate for your skin.
Why acne usually needs a series, not a single facial
Acne involves several things at once: oil production, clogged pores, bacteria and inflammation. A facial can clear out congestion on the day, but new clogs may already be forming beneath the surface. Skin also renews itself gradually, so changes in texture and breakouts often take several weeks to show up.
A series of treatments spaced a few weeks apart lets your esthetician work with that cycle instead of against it. Just as important is what happens between appointments. The products you use at home every morning and night often have more influence on your skin than any one in-office treatment. A program that combines both, and adjusts the plan as your skin responds, tends to make more sense than booking facials one at a time and hoping for a different result.
How the Clear Skin Acne Program works
The program is $795 total and runs about three to four months. Here is what it includes.
1. A 45-minute consultation with Rocio Romero, PA-C
You start with a skin consultation with Rocio Romero, a board-certified physician assistant. During this visit she will:
- Assess your skin and the type of breakouts you are dealing with
- Review your skin history and any medications you take
- Take progress photos so changes can be compared over time
- Give you a written plan and a home-care routine
Prescription options are discussed only if she judges them appropriate for you. If your acne is severe or cystic, she may refer you to a dermatologist, since that type of acne often needs care beyond what an esthetician series can offer.
2. Six esthetician treatments, every 2–3 weeks
After the consultation, you come in for six treatments with one of our estheticians, spaced every two to three weeks:
- 3 Acne Facials, focused on deep cleansing and careful extractions where appropriate
- 3 Mandelic Peels, a chemical exfoliation option often chosen for acne-prone skin
Each treatment is finished with LED light therapy.
3. A progress check after your fourth treatment
After the fourth treatment, you meet with Rocio again to review your progress photos and how your skin is responding. This check is included in the program, and it is the point where your plan can be adjusted if something is not working as expected.
Home care and what is not included
Your home-care routine is part of the plan, but home-care products are sold separately. You are welcome to ask which products in your current routine you can keep.
Starting with a New Patient Consult
If you would rather meet the team before committing, you can book the $150 New Patient Consult. If you enroll in the program the same day, the $150 is credited toward the $795 program.
Who the program suits
The program is often a good fit if you:
- Get regular breakouts and have not found a routine that keeps them under control
- Want a professional to look at your skin, products and medications together
- Prefer a clear plan and schedule over booking facials one at a time
- Can commit to appointments every two to three weeks for a few months
If you have severe, painful or cystic acne, it is still worth starting with the consultation. Rocio can advise whether the program is appropriate or whether a dermatologist should be your next step.
What to avoid on active breakouts
Some popular treatments are not a good idea on inflamed acne. On active, inflamed breakouts we generally avoid:
- Dermaplaning, since running a blade over inflamed bumps can irritate them
- Microdermabrasion, which may aggravate inflamed skin and spread irritation
- RF microneedling, which is usually saved for after acne is under control
At home, it often helps to avoid picking or squeezing, harsh scrubs, and layering several strong active products at once. Your provider will advise you on what to pause during the program.
What about acne scars?
Many people with acne also want to address marks or scarring. In general, scar treatment comes after active acne is controlled, not during. Once your skin is calmer, options such as RF microneedling ($159 per session) may be discussed. Your provider can talk you through whether it suits your skin and how many sessions might make sense.
After the program
When the six treatments are complete, many clients continue with monthly maintenance facials or peels along with their home-care routine. Skin changes with seasons, stress and hormones, so regular maintenance may help you keep the progress you have made.
How to get started
You can read the full program details on our Clear Skin Acne Program page, browse individual treatments on our facials menu, or learn more about Rocio and our estheticians on the team page. To book or ask questions, call us at (212) 722-1959 or visit ROW 89 at 219A East 89th Street, New York, NY 10128.