“When it comes to global skin tones,
we speak your language!”
What happens during a Clinically Clear® consultation?

During your Clinically Clear phone consultation, we get to know you! We explore your health history, acne triggers, lifestyle choices, dietary habits, and current and prior product use and treatments. We discuss your acne, skin tone issues, and/or other skin problems, skin care goals, lifestyle, and exactly what we can do to help you.

To kick-start your path to clear skin, we customize a home care regimen and treatment plan based on your grade of acne, pigmentation problems, skin tone, sensitivities, environment, and several other factors.

Then, we explain exactly how to use your products, explain what they do,  and why they’re important. We also provide a detailed list of diet and lifestyle changes needed to help accelerate the clearing process.

Your consultation fee includes periodic follow-up phone appointments. To be eligible, you must be using your products consistently as directed and follow-up every 2 weeks at first and at least every 60 days long-term.

To request a consultation appointment here. Have specific skin care questions? Ask here. Learn more about the Center here.

 

What happens during a follow-up appointment?

During follow-ups, we look at photos, discuss your progress, adjust your home care routine as your skin acclimates to your products, analyze product potency and usage to speed the clearing process, review lifestyle changes and any product reactions, and answer any questions you may have. Frequent re-evaluations will keep you on track. Learn more about the Center here.

Am I required to get a consultation?

A consultation isn’t required to purchase basic skin care products.

To  purchase more potent “active” corrective products and professional skin care services like skin peels, you must be a current client who has completed the intake and consultation process at some point and currently using our homecare as directed.

Please keep in mind, consultations don’t happen in the treatment room or at the front desk.

Our in-depth consultations are low-cost, come with free follow-up appointments*, and help you get the most of our highly effective products and treatments. Benefits include a detailed analysis of your skin problems and the contributing factors, a customized regimen to clear your skin, and follow-ups* to coach you and keep you on track.

*Follow-up appointments are included if you use your home care products consistently as directed and follow-up with us when scheduled. We schedule you every 1 to 2 weeks at first and at least every 60 days after that.

Former returning clients, if it’s been a long time since you used our products and gotten a follow-up, you probably need a Returning Consultation.

To request a consultation appointment here. Have specific skin care questions? Ask here. Learn more about the Center here.

How do I schedule a Clinically Clear® consultation?

Request your consultation appointment here or call 510.370.3333. Learn more about the Center here

How long are appointments?

Appointment times vary. Consultations take about an hour, but shouldn’t be scheduled on your lunch hour or when you’re in a tight time crunch. Follow-up visits take about 10-15 minutes.

Learn more about the Center here.

What should I expect during an acne treatment?

 

Note: It’s not possible to clear acne with treatments only. Active products and important lifestyle changes are the key to clearing acne and fading dark blemishes, not facials or peels.

Acne treatments are customized for your type of acne, pigmentation issues, sensitivities, and whether you are dry or oily. We use our own exclusive professional products designed to exfoliate dead skin cells, de-clog the pores, calm the skin, kill bacteria and speed healing.

Treatments may include cleansing and exfoliation using an enzyme or corrective peel, extractions, a calming and/or brightening serum, an anti-inflammatory hydrator, and sun protection.

Once home care acne and pore-purging products are being used consistently, we may recommend an acne treatment. Note: It’s impossible to extract every pimple, closed comedone, clogged pore, and blackhead during a single procedure.

Quick emergency extraction appointments are possible before special events and to prevent you from picking.

Read all about the benefits of professional treatments here. Learn more about the Center here.

What should I expect from a chemical peel?

Peels help boost your corrective home care efforts over time, but a single peel will not remove blemishes and discoloration. Please check out Benefits of Clinical Treatments and Peel Precautions. Learn more about the Center here.

Are your products and services safe for darker skin?

Absolutely! We’ve been dedicated to caring for multi-ethnic skin care for over 25 years. Our specialties are acne on all skin tones, pigmentation problems, and the various issues that affect darker skin. All Clinically Clear® skin care systems are safely customized for your individual skin tone and skin issues. Feel free to ask questions. Learn more about the Center here.

 

Do you take health insurance?

Sorry, we don’t accept health insurance. Plus, insurance is rarely accepted for pigmentation problems anyway.

We can help provide documentation and receipts for some skin conditions so you can seek reimbursement from your Flex Spending Account (FSA). Check with your plan administrator to find out what is covered and what kind of documentation is required.

Learn more about the Center here.

I’m on a strict budget. Can you still help me?

We can work with any budget, so speak up right away if finances are a challenge. If needed, we will start you on the bare basics and add additional corrective products on your next payday, or as your budget allows. Learn more about the Center here.

Do you take young children?

Yes, we can help if your child has acne, sensitive skin, dry skin and/or rashes. Give us a call.

Do I have to use your products?

While you don’t have to use Clinically Clear®​products, we urge you to try our homecare system to successfully treat your skin problem. What you use on your skin 24/7 is more important to the clearing process than periodic peels and facials. We can work with any budget.

Our products have an excellent long-term track record. Used correctly, they will help clear your skin dramatically, soften and dislodge impactions, make extractions less necessary, less expensive, and less uncomfortable.

Post-pandemic, we are starting to perform treatments on a limited basis to current clients who are using our homecare faithfully.

We do require all clients use a zinc oxide-based, non-comedogenic mineral sunscreen in order to get products or treatments at this office. Learn more about the Center here.

Will my acne get worse before it gets better?

During the early weeks treating your acne, what was already formed deep in the follicles may loosen and come to the surface, especially close to the menstrual cycle. What does come up will be smaller and clear quickly.

Use homecare exactly as directed, pay close attention to diet, sleep, and other lifestyle changes, ice your acne exactly as directed, “spot treat” at bedtime if directed, and get regular follow-ups. Contact us if you experience problems or have questions. We’re here to help.

Can you guarantee your program will work for me?

We can’t “go home with you” to monitor how you use your products, stress level, what you eat, how much you sleep, if you pick or not, or whether you made necessary lifestyle changes, etc. Because of these factors, we cannot offer guarantees or exact time lines for clearing your skin.

 

Can you still help me if I’m pregnant?

Pregnant women break out too, and often suffer from hyperpigmentation, so we can definitely help you. There are plenty of safe corrective products and professional clinic treatments. There are a few ingredients not recommended for pregnant women, so we avoid those. Check with your doctor for a list of ingredients they want you to avoid.

Do I have to give credit card information to make an appointment?

Consultation and treatment appointments must be prepaid and can be paid securely online. You may also call in your payment or use PayPal or CashApp. We do not store your credit card information! Request an appointment here. Learn more about the Center here.

Prepaid appointments are subject to our Cancellation Policy and other company policies.

Do you treat skin conditions on the body?

Yes! We treat body acne, keratosis pilaris, hyperpigmentation, folliculitis, ingrown hair, and dry itchy skin.

Do you offer relaxing facials, massage, and other spa services?

We are a strictly “no frills” clinic and focus on acne and results-oriented clinical skin care for all skin tones, especially darker skin.

We offer safe, affordable treatment and corrective skin care products in a casual, friendly setting.

We don’t offer a quiet tranquil retreat, pampering facials, aromatherapy, massage, hair removal, brow or lash services, body scrubs, make-up application, body wraps, etc.

Though we don’t offer laser hair removal, Botox® fillers, permanent cosmetics or microblading, we can refer you to experienced specialists in the Bay Area.

Why don’t you offer microdermabrasion?

We don’t recommend microdermabrasion for acne, pigmentation problems on people of color, or for hormonal hyperpigmentation, known as melasma.

It can aggravate acne and worsen discoloration and dark spots. Skin peels can be customized, are much safer, penetrate deeper, and work much better to help correct these conditions.

Can I bring my children to my appointments?

To maintain a peaceful environment, avoid distractions, and be fair to everyone, please do not bring infants, children, or others to your appointment. Please make childcare arrangements in advance.

Keep in mind, lack of childcare is not a valid reason for a last-minute cancellation. Unattended children may not wait in the reception area or parking lot.

Due to insurance guidelines, guests may not accompany clients into the treatment room. This includes infants, children, parents, relatives, friends and others.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We currently accept cash, debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Zelle, Venmo, CashApp, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal (info@clinicallyclear.com).

Sorry, we don’t accept personal checks, business checks, third party checks, third-party money orders, traveler’s checks, FSA cards or health insurance. We can provide documentation for certain skin conditions to submit to your FSA administrator for reimbursement.

When is the office open?

The office is open Tuesday through Friday 11-5 and Saturday 10-4. We’re closed Sunday, Monday and major holidays

 

 

Do you take walk-ins?

​Current clients don’t need an appointment to purchase refill products. We do not take take “walk-in” consultation, follow-up, or treatment appointments.

We are often available for short follow-ups when you pick-up product refills, if time permits.

I don’t live in the Bay Area. Any way you can help me?

We can help you, even if you live far away! After your in-depth phone consultation, we’ll design a Long Distance Program for you and your immediate needs based on your skin problem, sensitivities, skin tone, preferences, geographical location, and lifestyle.

We will then ship you a system that may include individualized skin care, exfoliating, brightening, sun protection, and acne products, as needed. We include a wealth of information about your skin problem and an easy-to-follow home care regimen.

Every week or two at first, and then monthly, we schedule follow-up appointments (coaching by phone) and go over your newest digital photos, review lifestyle changes, and adjust product usage. We are here to offer advice, troubleshoot, and answer any questions you may have

And, you can always email or send a text if you need help or have a quick question. 

Can I order your products online?

Our home care regimens are individualized for each client and our custom-formulated active serums and gels can be too potent to be casually purchased and then used without professional assistance and supervision.

Active corrective skin care must be introduced gradually and applied a specific way to achieve results and avoid or minimize side effects like dryness, irritation, and sensitivity. We demonstrate exactly how to use our products and adjust your usage schedule and assess their potency on a regular basis.