Pacific Coast Aesthetics
Aptos · Santa Cruz
Financing available
Pacific Coast Aesthetics is a medical aesthetics provider in Santa Cruz, California, rated 5 stars across 752 Google reviews.
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Acne in Santa Cruz, CA
Acne treatment in Santa Cruz
14 Santa Cruz clinics offer treatment for acne, from Chemical Peel, HydraFacial, Microneedling to 2 more. Below: who ranks, what it costs here, and which option fits which version of the problem.
14
clinics in Santa Cruz treating acne
4.8★
average Google rating across 3,826 reviews
$110–$660
Chemical Peel in Santa Cruz, per session
Santa Cruz at a glance
What acne treatment looks like in Santa Cruz
Chemical Peel is the most widely offered option in Santa Cruz, at 14 of the 14 clinics listed here, with HydraFacial at 14 and Microneedling at 14. Pricing in Santa Cruz runs about 10% above the national average, so expect chemical peel at roughly $110–$660 per session before a clinic's consultation adjusts it to your case. By Google rating weighted by review volume, Pacific Coast Aesthetics, One Point Six Aesthetics, Laila Whiting Clyburn, Injections By Laila lead the local list.
The treatment that fits depends on which version of acne you have; the comparison below says when each is the right call, and the full explainer lives on our acne guide.
Options offered in Santa Cruz
Treatments for acne available locally
| Treatment | Santa Cruz clinics | Typical cost in Santa Cruz | When it is the right call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical PeelA few hours (light), about a week (medium), about 2 weeks (deep) | 14 | $110–$660per session | The workhorse for active, non-cystic acne. Salicylic and combination peels unclog pores, reduce oil, and fade the red and brown marks breakouts leave. A series of four to six, spaced weeks apart, is where results show. |
| HydraFacialNone. Your skin looks glowing immediately | 14 | $165–$385per session | Gentle extraction and hydration with no downtime. Good for congestion, blackheads, and maintenance between peels. Not a treatment for inflamed or cystic acne on its own. |
| Microneedling1–2 days of redness, similar to a mild sunburn | 14 | $220–$770per session | The first-line treatment for the pitted scars acne leaves behind. Collagen remodeling over three to six sessions softens rolling and boxcar scars. Do it once the breakouts are controlled, not during them. |
| Laser Skin Resurfacing1–2 days (non-ablative) up to 1–2 weeks (ablative) | 5 | $550–$3,850per session | The strongest option for deeper or older acne scars. Fractional lasers rebuild texture more aggressively than microneedling, with real downtime to match. |
| BBL Photofacial1–3 days of redness; brown spots darken then flake off over 7–14 days | 5 | $440–$990per session | Targets the persistent red marks and visible vessels active acne leaves behind. Useful once the skin has calmed and the redness is what remains. |
Acne clinics in Santa Cruz, ranked
By Google rating weighted by review volume. Featured clinics appear first and are labeled; the order underneath is editorial and never sold.
One Point Six Aesthetics
Santa Cruz
Financing available
One Point Six Aesthetics is a medical aesthetics provider in Santa Cruz, California, rated 5 stars across 222 Google reviews.
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Laila Whiting Clyburn, Injections By Laila
Scotts Valley · Santa Cruz
Laila Whiting Clyburn, Injections By Laila is a medical aesthetics provider in Santa Cruz, California, rated 5 stars across 97 Google reviews.
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Shilpa Vichare, MS, PA-C
Santa Cruz
Shilpa Vichare, MS, PA-C is a medical aesthetics provider in Santa Cruz, California, rated 5 stars across 55 Google reviews.
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The Skin Bar Santa Cruz/ The Beauty Bar
Santa Cruz
The Skin Bar Santa Cruz/ The Beauty Bar is a medical aesthetics provider in Santa Cruz, California, rated 5 stars across 38 Google reviews.
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Rejuvenate Medi-Spa & Wellness
Capitola · Santa Cruz
Rejuvenate Medi-Spa & Wellness is a medical aesthetics provider in Santa Cruz, California, rated 4.9 stars across 140 Google reviews.
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RSMD Medical Aesthetics (by Rebecca Small MD)
Capitola · Santa Cruz
Financing available
RSMD Medical Aesthetics (by Rebecca Small MD) is a medical aesthetics provider in Santa Cruz, California, rated 4.9 stars across 113 Google reviews.
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Beauty Lounge Med Spa Inc.
Aptos · Santa Cruz
Beauty Lounge Med Spa Inc. is a medical aesthetics provider in Santa Cruz, California, rated 4.9 stars across 60 Google reviews.
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Yōso Wellness Spa
Santa Cruz
Yōso Wellness Spa is a medical aesthetics provider in Santa Cruz, California, rated 4.8 stars across 135 Google reviews.
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Dermatology Surgical & Med Group
Santa Cruz
Dermatology Surgical & Med Group is a medical aesthetics provider in Santa Cruz, California, rated 4.8 stars across 826 Google reviews.
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Derm-Essence
Santa Cruz
Derm-Essence is a medical aesthetics provider in Santa Cruz, California, rated 4.6 stars across 56 Google reviews.
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Well Within Spa
Santa Cruz
Well Within Spa is a medical aesthetics provider in Santa Cruz, California, rated 4.6 stars across 559 Google reviews.
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Maitreya Retreat Spa
Santa Cruz
Maitreya Retreat Spa is a medical aesthetics provider in Santa Cruz, California, rated 4.5 stars across 352 Google reviews.
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Tea House Spa
Santa Cruz
Tea House Spa is a medical aesthetics provider in Santa Cruz, California, rated 4.5 stars across 421 Google reviews.
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FAQ
Acne in Santa Cruz: common questions
How many clinics in Santa Cruz treat acne?
14 clinics on ClinicCompass in Santa Cruz offer at least one treatment for acne, between them carrying 3,826 Google reviews. The most widely offered option locally is Chemical Peel (14 clinics), followed by HydraFacial (14).
What does acne treatment cost in Santa Cruz?
It depends on the treatment. Chemical Peel runs about $110–$660 per session; HydraFacial runs about $165–$385 per session; Microneedling runs about $220–$770 per session. Santa Cruz pricing is about 10% above the national average. Every clinic quotes after a consultation, so treat these as the range to expect rather than a menu price.
Which Santa Cruz clinic is best for acne?
By Google rating weighted by review volume, Pacific Coast Aesthetics (5★ across 752 reviews), One Point Six Aesthetics (5★ across 222 reviews), Laila Whiting Clyburn, Injections By Laila (5★ across 97 reviews) lead the Santa Cruz list. Rankings are editorial and never sold; Featured clinics appear first but are labeled and do not change the order.
Should I see a med spa or a dermatologist for acne?
It depends on severity. Cystic, nodular, or scarring acne needs a dermatologist and usually prescription medication, because no facial or peel treats inflammation at that depth. Mild to moderate congestion-driven acne, and the marks and scars left after acne is controlled, are exactly what med spa peels, extractions, microneedling, and laser do well. Many people use both: the dermatologist to control it, the clinic to repair what it left.
Can acne scars be removed completely?
Improved substantially, not removed. Rolling and boxcar scars respond well to microneedling and fractional laser over a series, and most people see their scars become shallow enough to be hard to notice. Deep ice-pick scars are the most stubborn and sometimes need individual treatment. Anyone promising scar-free skin is overpromising.
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