Acne & Scar Solutions
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already tried a few things for your acne. Maybe a face wash from the pharmacy. Maybe something a friend recommended. And maybe it helped a little, for a while, before the pimples came right back.
We will assess your skin and tell you honestly what it needs. Free, no obligation.
The Cause
We see this every single day at Absolute Cosmetic Clinic. Patients who’ve spent months, sometimes years, cycling through products that never quite fix the problem. The reason is almost always the same: the treatment was targeting the surface, not the cause. Our dermatologist, with over 15 years of experience, takes a different approach. We figure out why your skin is breaking out, then we treat that.
The short version: your pores get clogged.
Oil glands under your skin produce sebum, which is normal and healthy. But when they produce too much of it, or when dead skin cells pile up and block the opening of a pore, you get a clogged pore. Bacteria move in. The area gets inflamed. And that’s your pimple.
But here’s the thing most people don’t realise. The reason for pimples is rarely just “oily skin.” There’s usually something else driving it. Hormonal shifts during your cycle, PCOS, stress that’s been building for weeks, poor sleep, a diet heavy on sugar and processed food, or sometimes a medication you started recently. Even switching to a new skincare product can set things off.
That’s what makes acne frustrating. You can do everything “right” and still break out because the trigger is something you haven’t identified yet.
Where It Shows
We get asked this a lot. “Why always on my cheeks?” or “Why only my forehead?” It’s a fair question because the location does tell us something.
The reason for pimples on cheeks, nine times out of ten, comes down to what’s touching your face. Your phone. Your hands. A pillowcase you haven’t changed in a week. Makeup that’s not coming off properly at night. These things transfer bacteria and oil directly onto your cheeks.
Sometimes, though, it’s hormonal. Or it’s tied to gut health. If you’re getting recurring deep breakouts on both cheeks and nothing topical seems to help, that’s worth investigating with a dermatologist rather than guessing.
Forehead acne is often linked to hair. Seriously. Hair products, the oil from your hair sitting against your skin all day, helmets trapping sweat for hours during your commute. If you wear a cap or helmet daily and break out along the forehead, that connection is hard to ignore.
Stress plays a role here too. We’ve seen patients whose forehead breakouts correlate almost perfectly with exam seasons or project deadlines.
These are different from regular pimples and people often confuse them. Those tiny, hard white bumps that won’t pop and won’t go away? They’re usually milia, or closed comedones.
Don’t try to squeeze them at home. You’ll likely damage the skin and end up with a mark that lasts longer than the bump ever would have. A dermatologist can extract them properly or recommend a chemical peel or retinoid that clears them over a few weeks.
When To See Us
Not every pimple needs a dermatologist. A random breakout before a wedding or after a weekend of junk food? That’ll probably sort itself out.
But if your acne has stuck around for more than two months despite trying different products, or if you’re getting painful lumps under the skin that leave dark spots behind, that’s your sign. Something deeper is going on and no face wash is going to fix it.
Seeing a pimple dermatologist isn’t about getting a fancier cream. It’s about figuring out the actual cause, whether that’s hormonal, bacterial, inflammatory or a combination, and matching the treatment to it. That’s the difference between managing symptoms and actually clearing your skin.
The Treatment
There’s no magic product that works for everyone. If there were, acne wouldn’t be one of the most searched skin concerns on the internet. What works depends on what type of acne you have, how severe it is, what’s causing it, and what your skin can tolerate. Here’s what we actually use at the clinic, and when:
For mild to moderate breakouts, this is where most treatment plans start. Retinoids to unclog pores and speed up cell turnover. Antibiotics, either topical or oral, to reduce bacteria. Hormonal treatments for women whose acne flares around their period. Your pimple cream gets prescribed based on what your skin needs specifically, not based on what’s trending online.
A chemical face peel for acne works by dissolving the very top layer of skin, taking dead cells and blocked pores with it. Salicylic acid peels are usually the go-to for acne-prone skin because they penetrate oil and clean out pores from the inside. We adjust the concentration based on how sensitive your skin is. One patient’s peel strength might be completely wrong for someone else.
Got a massive, painful cyst that’s been sitting under your skin for days? A pimple injection, specifically a small corticosteroid shot directly into the lesion, can flatten it in 24 to 48 hours. It’s not a treatment plan, it’s a targeted rescue for the really stubborn ones. Quick, effective, and it prevents that particular cyst from leaving a deep scar.
Blue light kills acne-causing bacteria. Red light calms inflammation. We sometimes combine these for patients whose skin reacts badly to strong topical products. It’s gentler, but it works best as part of a broader plan rather than on its own.
These come into play when someone has active acne plus old scarring. Microneedling creates tiny channels in the skin that trigger healing and collagen production. MNRF adds radiofrequency energy for deeper texture improvement. We don’t start these until the active breakouts are under control, otherwise you’re irritating skin that’s already inflamed.
That is what the consultation is for. We assess first, then recommend.
Book Your ConsultationResults
Real patients, photographed with consent. Each pair is cropped to an identical frame so neither shot is flattered.
Results may vary. Individual outcomes depend on skin type, concern and treatment plan. Photographs are published with patient consent and are not retouched.
Our Locations
Two clinics across Mumbai and the Bhiwandi–Thane corridor, both offering the full range of skin, hair and aesthetic treatments.
What To Expect
Nothing complicated. The doctor examines your skin, asks about your history, what you’ve already tried, your routine, your diet, whether you’re on any medication. Sometimes we’ll recommend a blood test to check hormone levels, especially if there’s a pattern that suggests PCOS or thyroid involvement.
You walk out with a clear plan. What products to use, what to stop using, whether you need any in-clinic procedures, and realistic timelines for when you should see improvement. No ambiguity.
Timelines
4 to 6 weeks
Mild acne, on prescription treatment
8 to 12 weeks
Moderate acne
3 to 6 months
Severe cystic acne or hormonal acne
Expect a purging phase of 2 to 3 weeks first — skin often gets worse before it gets better.
This is the question everyone asks, and the honest answer is: it depends.
Mild acne on prescription treatment usually shows visible improvement in 4 to 6 weeks. Moderate acne takes closer to 8 to 12 weeks. Severe cystic acne or hormonal acne? You’re looking at 3 to 6 months for significant clearing, and some of those cases need maintenance treatment after that to keep things stable.
There’s also the purging phase. When you start retinoids or certain active treatments, your skin might temporarily get worse before it gets better. It usually lasts 2 to 3 weeks. It doesn’t mean the treatment isn’t working. It means it’s bringing everything to the surface faster.
Anyone who tells you they can clear severe acne in a week is either lying or selling you something that won’t last.
Our Standard
We won’t recommend chemical peels for someone with extremely sensitive skin without testing first. We won’t prescribe isotretinoin without proper monitoring. We won’t treat pregnant patients with retinoids or certain antibiotics. And we won’t push a procedure on you if a simple prescription cream is all your skin actually needs.
This matters because over-treatment is a real problem in aesthetic dermatology. Not everything requires an expensive procedure. Sometimes the most responsible thing a doctor can do is hand you the right prescription and tell you to come back in six weeks.
Retinoids can make your skin dry, flakey and more sensitive to the sun for the first few weeks. Chemical peels cause temporary redness and peeling, that’s literally the point of them. Acne injections very occasionally leave a tiny dip at the injection site, but it fills back in over time.
None of these are dangerous when done correctly. Your doctor will walk you through what to expect with your specific treatment so nothing catches you off guard.
Your Doctor
Dr Lubna Shaikh has over 15 years of experience in clinical cosmetology and aesthetic care, treating skin, hair and body concerns. Every treatment begins with a thorough assessment of your individual concern, because no two patients are the same.
Patient Reviews
Five stars all the way! The clinic itself is beautiful, modern, and very well-maintained. Every staff member I interacted with was polite, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring. The facility is spotless and equipped with top-notch technology, which immediately put me at ease. Highly recommend this clinic! I’ll definitely be back.
Had an excellent experience at Absolute Cosmetic Clinic. I recently got my MNRF treatment done and the results are amazing. The doctor and staff were very professional, gentle, and made me feel completely comfortable throughout. Highly recommended.
As a patient who underwent a hair transplant surgery with Dr Lubna’s Absolute Cosmetic Clinic, I can confidently say that my experience was excellent. … I am extremely happy with the results of my hair transplant. I would highly recommend this clinic to anyone who is considering hair transplant surgery.
I have been taking services from Dr. Lubna since 2017 and I have had an amazing experience over the years. I don’t think any other clinic can provide this service with such great offers and packages. I highly recommend you all to try this Clinic, especially for laser hair removal.
The service is very good and the staff is extremely friendly. Dr Lubna is a gem of a person and she personally looks after each individual. The services are absolutely affordable and jot heavy on the pocket. Anybody looking for any skin services must visit this clinic
I visited Absolute Clinic for blackheads, whitehead, tan removal treatment and more and got amazing results. The staff was very professional, the process was smooth, and my skin feels so much clearer now. Definitely recommend them for anyone looking for effective skincare treatments.
FAQ
A dermatologist. They specialise in skin conditions and can prescribe treatments that go beyond what you’ll find in a pharmacy. If over-the-counter products haven’t worked after a couple of months, it’s time.
Managed well, yes. Permanently cured in every case, no. Hormonal acne in particular tends to need ongoing management. But most patients who follow their treatment plan consistently achieve lasting clearance.
Depends entirely on severity. A consultation and prescription for mild acne costs considerably less than a course of chemical peels or microneedling sessions for severe scarring. We’ll give you a clear picture during the consultation itself.
Absolutely. Scars respond well to microneedling, MNRF, peels and laser treatments. The approach depends on whether they’re shallow (rolling scars), deep and narrow (ice pick scars) or flat and broad (boxcar scars). A proper assessment comes first.
It can. Sugar, dairy and highly processed food seem to aggravate acne in some people. But diet alone almost never causes acne. Think of it as one piece of the puzzle, not the whole picture.
Those are usually milia. Don’t pick at them. A dermatologist can extract them cleanly or prescribe a retinoid cream that gradually clears them. Chemical peels also work well for widespread milia.
Yes, when done by a trained dermatologist. It’s a standard procedure for painful cystic pimples. Side effects are rare, the main one being temporary lightening at the injection site, which usually resolves on its own.
Some treatments aren’t safe during pregnancy, including retinoids and certain oral antibiotics. But there are pregnancy-safe alternatives. Just let your doctor know before starting anything.
Book Your Consultation
Look, acne is genuinely one of the most treatable skin conditions when you work with someone who knows what they’re doing. If you’ve been stuck in the cycle of buying product after product and nothing sticks, come in. Let’s figure out what’s actually going on with your skin.
Walk-ins welcome. Same-day slots usually available. Two clinics: Andheri West (Oshiwara) and Bhiwandi.
