Barbara Kowalczyk, FNP-BC
Board-certified nurse practitioner · Director of Medical Spa Services
Leads injectable treatment planning and has directed medical spa services at the Downers Grove practice since 2019, following an ICU nursing background.
Skin · Burr Ridge, IL
Acne Treatments near Burr Ridge, IL
Updated September 2026 · Independent review
Medical acne treatment at a med spa combines in-clinic procedures — peels, extractions, blue-light or laser therapy, and microneedling for scarring — with a home regimen, and refers out to dermatology when prescription therapy is needed. Expect three to six months before judging any acne plan. Near Burr Ridge, IL, the closest practice covered on this site is Skin Med Spa at 960 Warren Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515, roughly 12 minutes away, where laser and skin treatments are performed by a licensed esthetician and certified laser technician.
Nearest practice
Skin Med Spa
960 Warren Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Mon–Tue & Thu–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 10am–3pm · closed Wed & Sun
Licensed esthetician / laser tech
~12 minutes from Burr Ridge. No Burr Ridge address exists.
How does Acne Treatments actually work?
Acne has four drivers: excess oil, abnormal shedding of pore-lining cells, C. acnes bacteria, and inflammation. Effective plans address more than one at a time. In-clinic salicylic peels reduce oil and clear pores, extraction removes existing comedones, light-based therapy targets bacteria, and microneedling or resurfacing addresses resulting scarring once active inflammation is controlled. What a med spa cannot do is prescribe isotretinoin or manage hormonal acne medically — recognising that boundary is a quality signal.
Who is a good candidate for Acne Treatments?
Teens and adults with mild to moderate comedonal or inflammatory acne, and anyone with post-acne marks or scarring after active breakouts have settled.
Who should skip it?
Severe nodulocystic or scarring acne, which needs a dermatologist and likely systemic prescription therapy. Also anyone currently on isotretinoin, for whom most procedures are contraindicated.
Who should be performing it?
A licensed esthetician for extraction and peels, with a licensed medical provider involved once prescription actives, energy devices, or needling are used — and a willingness to refer to dermatology.
Acne Treatments near Burr Ridge at a glance
| Treatment | Acne Treatments |
|---|---|
| Category | Skin |
| Who performs it | Licensed esthetician / certified laser technician |
| Sessions typically needed | Every two to four weeks initially, tapering as control improves. Judge at three months. |
| Downtime | Varies by modality: none for extraction, a day or two for peels, 24–48 hours for microneedling. Purging in the first few weeks is common. |
| How long results last | Ongoing control requires ongoing treatment; acne is managed, not cured. |
| How it is priced | Per treatment, or per monthly programme. |
| Typical market cost | Commonly $125–$300 per in-clinic session; multi-month programmes priced accordingly. |
| Nearest location | 960 Warren Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515 — ~12 min from Burr Ridge |
| Financing | Cherry payment plans |
| Price published by the practice | No — request it in writing at consultation |
Cost figures are typical Chicago-area market ranges for context, not quotes from this practice.
Ask these before booking Acne Treatments
- What type of acne do I have, and what is driving it?
- At what point would you refer me to a dermatologist?
- What is the home regimen, and do I have to buy it here?
- How long before we know whether this is working?
- When do we address scarring versus active breakouts?
Red flags specific to Acne Treatments
- No willingness to refer severe or scarring acne to dermatology
- Treating scarring while inflammation is still active
- Long prepaid programmes before any response is established
- Guaranteed clearance
What patients say about Acne Treatments
Quoted verbatim from public Google, Yelp, and practice-website reviews — nothing here is written or paraphrased by us. No published review names Acne Treatments specifically yet, so these are general reviews of the practice. Across its public profile the practice shows 4.9 stars from 298 reviews.
On Atmosphere
★★★★★
"Enjoyed the event 23rd of April! Now I got to get my treatment. They are professional the spa is absolutely Beyoutiful and I'm over the moon on my experience & how my treatment came out. This spa is a class of it own. Barb & Mike and the Skin Med spa family are welcoming, absolutely professional & spa is impeccable. Will be looking forward to many more treatments with you all. As well as my whole family. Grateful, we came across each other! 5 stars across the board."
On Expertise
★★★★★
"Michael, as well as the rest of the staff are very knowledgeable and professional. The whole team is very nice! I will definitely be coming back. I would recommend this place to anyone!"
On Consultation
★★★★★
"Barbara was very thorough in explaining all types of procedures that I considered, what works best and cost. I would definitely recommend her."
On Results
★★★★★
"Barb is a magician! Absolutely love my results and looking to get more services done here. Already referred my aunt!"
On Results
★★★★★
"Very talented group, my results are much better now than when using other companies. Professional work and great products. I highly recommend this cheerful and talented group."
On Expertise
★★★★★
"Barb and Michael are wonderful, knowledgeable, and skilled. The very best of the best. Highly recommend."
Who would treat you, and what to verify
Michael Fressola, ACNP-BC
Board-certified acute care nurse practitioner
A Rush University graduate with roughly two decades in cosmetic treatments and surgery, previously a partner at a surgery center and advanced cosmetic practice.
Noelle Trost, LE
Certified laser technician & licensed esthetician
Performs laser resurfacing, hair removal, IPL, and medical-grade facial protocols.
Illinois licenses are public. Look up any provider through the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation before your first treatment.
Frequently asked questions — Acne Treatments near Burr Ridge
Before you book
Get an itemized price in writing, confirm which licensed provider is treating you, and ask to see the product or device. This site takes no bookings — the practice handles all of that at (630) 541-8413.