Forehead Inflammatory Acne Shows Clear Improvement After 3 Bio Acnes + PDT Acnes Sessions in Da Nang
Real case · Coleni Beauty · 11/09/2026
This real case involved a female client in her 20s–30s who came to Coleni with dense inflammatory acne across her forehead: red inflamed acne and pustules spread across the entire forehead, with rough skin texture and excessive oil production. This type of acne is very common in Da Nang, where the average annual humidity is 81%, and sweat combined with sunscreen creates a pore-clogging film every day.
After 3 sessions over approximately 4 weeks, combining Bio Acnes and PDT Acnes, the inflamed lesions had flattened and dried, the forehead surface became smoother, and only a few faint dark marks remained, gradually fading with the natural skin renewal cycle. The section below explores in detail why the treatment plan combined these two therapies and what happened during each session.
Client Information
| Category | Initial condition |
|---|---|
| Gender / age | Female, 20–30 years old |
| Treatment area | Forehead |
| Main symptoms | Red inflamed acne, pustules spread across the forehead, rough skin texture |
| Skin type | Excessive oil production |
| Treatment plan | 3 sessions over approximately 4 weeks |
| Services used | Bio Acnes + PDT Acnes |
Initial Assessment
As with every case at Coleni, the first session began with a skin analysis using a skin scanner before selecting the treatment level. For this case, two characteristics determined the approach:
- Highly active acne: many red inflamed lesions and pustules appearing simultaneously across one area of skin. Treating individual lesions would not keep pace with the spread of inflammation, so the treatment plan needed a tool that could target the entire forehead at once.
- Oily skin base: excess oil creates an environment that sustains the acne cycle. Without controlling oil, as soon as one old lesion flattens, a new one may already be forming in a neighboring hair follicle.
One approach was ruled out from the beginning: aggressive peeling designed to force peeling and flaking. Skin undergoing an acute inflammatory flare can become more irritated when subjected to another layer of surface irritation, resulting in longer-lasting redness, more pain, and a higher risk of deeper dark marks. The selected treatment plan therefore consisted of two non-peeling, no-downtime therapies.
Why Combine Bio Acnes With PDT Acnes
These two therapies address different layers of the same acne flare through two different mechanisms:
- Bio Acnes works at the hair follicle level: professional extraction clears comedonal blockages, followed by a customized chemical peel that dries inflamed lesions, eliminates acne-causing bacteria, and controls oil production. This directly targets the sources of blockage and oil, two conditions that trigger acne.
- PDT Acnes works on inflammation across a wider area: PDT light therapy (phototherapy) is combined with a non-peeling bio peel. Photosensitizing active ingredients are delivered into the skin, and Fotoage light then activates them to eliminate bacteria and reduce inflammation across the entire forehead at once, rather than treating individual lesions.
Together, one therapy cuts off the source of acne formation while the other suppresses the inflammation that is already spreading. For a case with scattered pustules like this, leaving out either one could mean that inflammation subsides slowly or that new lesions continue to appear while the old ones are healing. PDT also offers a specific advantage for skin that is sensitive due to inflammation: its optical mechanism tends to feel less harsh on the skin than increasing peel concentration, making it suitable even for skin that does not tolerate aggressive peeling methods well.
What Happens During a Bio Acnes Session
Bio Acnes (price 600.000 VND, session 90 mins) follows Coleni's standard 5-step process:
| Step | Content | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5-step cleansing according to Coleni standards | Thoroughly remove dirt, impurities, and excess oil from the skin surface |
| 2 | Extraction of whiteheads and blackheads | Professionally clear congested areas and unclog the surface |
| 3 | Soothing mask | Reduce redness and swelling immediately after extraction and prepare the skin for peeling |
| 4 | Customized chemical peel based on acne condition | Eliminate acne-causing bacteria, control excess oil, and quickly dry inflamed lesions |
| 5 | Serum infusion and sunscreen application | Provide immediate hydration, support the skin barrier, and protect against UV rays |
This order has a purpose. The soothing mask comes before the peel: skin that has just undergone extraction needs its redness and swelling reduced before being exposed to active ingredients, allowing the peel to act on the acne lesions rather than on already irritated skin. Because the peel is formulated according to the acne condition at each session, with the skin analyzed again every time, its intensity follows actual progress instead of repeating a fixed formula.
What Happens During a PDT Acnes Session
PDT Acnes (price 1.500.000 VND, session 120 mins) also consists of 5 steps, with the main focus on steps 3–4:
| Step | Content | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deep cleansing with Coleni's 5-step process | Purify the surface and remove accumulated dirt and excess oil |
| 2 | In-depth acne extraction | Remove mature acne plugs and release blockages inside the hair follicles |
| 3 | PDT peel | Deliver photosensitizing active ingredients deep into the skin in preparation for light exposure |
| 4 | Mask combined with Fotoage light | Activate the PDT ingredients to eliminate bacteria, reduce inflammation, and rejuvenate the skin |
| 5 | Recovery essence and sunscreen | Quickly soothe, lock in moisture, and protect the skin from environmental factors |
The difference with PDT is that the active ingredients are only "switched on" when they encounter light: the PDT peel first delivers photosensitizing ingredients into the hair follicles, then Fotoage light activates them directly where the bacteria reside. This allows the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects to cover the entire forehead evenly without subjecting the skin surface to another round of peeling. In return, the skin needs careful protection after the session: avoid direct sun exposure for at least 48 hours, and use sunscreen and sufficient moisturizer.
Between Sessions
The three sessions took place over approximately 4 weeks, and the time between sessions was just as important as the treatment itself. For this case, the at-home care recommended by the Skin Coach focused on three things: cleansing gently but thoroughly enough for oily skin, applying sunscreen consistently every day (especially after the PDT session), and never picking or squeezing lesions that are drying. An inflamed lesion that is allowed to dry properly will flatten on its own and is less likely to leave a dark mark; squeezing it halfway through the healing process is the fastest way to turn an almost-healed lesion into a darker mark.
Before and After 3 Sessions
Before treatment: red inflamed acne and pustules covered the forehead, with many swollen lesions and rough, oily skin.
After 3 sessions: the inflamed lesions had flattened and dried, no visible pustules remained, and the skin surface had become smooth again. The remaining faint dark marks will continue to fade with the skin renewal cycle and may fade more quickly with consistent sun protection.
This result comes from a real case and is not a guarantee. The rate of improvement depends on the level of inflammation at the start and adherence to at-home care between sessions.
The cost per session for this case ranged from 600.000–1.500.000đ, depending on the service provided that day and the current menu.
What This Case Shows
Dense inflammatory acne does not necessarily mean that the strongest treatment plan should be used immediately. The correct sequence in this case was to address blockages and oil at the source with a customized peel while suppressing widespread inflammation with light therapy, allowing the skin to naturally flatten the inflamed lesions over several weeks rather than forcing it to peel. This step-based approach is explained in more detail in the article choosing a facial for acne-prone skin in Da Nang, and you can also read about a case involving recovery of oily, acne-prone skin with redness for a more sensitive skin situation.
If you are experiencing a similar condition, the initial skin analysis at Coleni (06 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Hai Chau, open daily from 9:00–20:30, with English-language consultations available) will determine which treatment level your skin is at before discussing costs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does it take to treat forehead inflammatory acne like this case?
This case showed clear improvement after 3 sessions over approximately 4 weeks. The actual number of sessions needed varies depending on the level of inflammation observed during the skin analysis, and the specialist will provide a specific treatment plan during the first session.
How much does the Bio Acnes + PDT Acnes treatment cost?
Bio Acnes costs 600.000 VND per session, while PDT Acnes costs 1.500.000 VND per session. The total cost depends on the number of sessions in your treatment plan; prices are displayed according to the current menu.
Is downtime required after treatment?
No. Both therapies are non-peeling treatments, so clients can resume normal activities immediately after the session. After a PDT session, however, direct sun exposure should be avoided for at least 48 hours, and sunscreen and sufficient moisturizer should be used.
Can sensitive skin receive PDT Acnes?
Yes. The combination of light therapy and a non-peeling bio peel tends to feel less harsh on the skin than chemical peeling alone, so PDT is often selected for skin that is prone to acne but does not tolerate aggressive peels well. The initial skin analysis remains the final deciding step.