It’s a familiar predicament. You’re headed out, and you glance at the mirror. And despite trying to conceal them, there’s one, no, two—oh wait, there’s a third—large bumps in varying degrees of redness, pointiness, and crustiness. 

Whether it’s one or two bumps at the time of the month, or a whole spate of hormone-fueled cysts, most of us have experienced a form of acne— from tiny blackheads or whiteheads, to red-tipped bumps, to the painful cystic acne we all dread—at one point in our lives. Finding any of these on your face is enough to make you want to go and hide.

That’s what happened to Maxine Pesudas, a lifestyle content creator, who, after experiencing severe acne, found herself avoiding social situations—especially family gatherings where she would be constantly asked, “Anong nangyari sa mukha mo?” Pesudas tried every remedy she knew of—“self-medicating,” in her words—but nothing worked. “It took a toll on my confidence,” she says. “Nahirapan akong makipag-usap sa mga tao kasi hindi ako makatingin sa kanila.”

DMD Skin Sciences

When Pesudas skipped an interview to be a flight attendant—her dream job—because she thought her acne would keep her from being accepted, she finally realized she needed to consult a board-certified dermatologist, and found John Michael Dellariarte, MD, MPH, FPDS, or Dr. Mike D as he’s known online, dermatologist at DMD Skin Sciences, and himself an acute acne sufferer.

At DMD Skin Sciences, acne is treated as both a medical and mental health condition, since Dr. Mike D knows how hard acne can be on one’s mental health. “I struggled for years with acne,” shares Dr. Mike D. “I tried countless products, treatments, and procedures. It affected my confidence, and even my schedule. I planned my whole life around my breakouts.”

As a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Mike D knew he wanted to focus on helping patients suffering from acne. “We want to give people a kinder path to clearer skin: one that is evidence‑based, personalized, and realistic about everyday life,” he explains.

Many people, he says, turn to self-medicating, like Pesudas, which actually makes acne worse, and can cause scarring and pigmentation. The DMD Glow Program is personalized per patient, usually a combination of topical and oral medications, and includes mental health check-ins—to monitor the patient’s total well-being.

Pesudas, acne-free today, points out that we should never self-medicate, explaining that trying different products can be costlier—and takes longer—than just visiting a board-certified dermatologist. “Been there, done that,” Pesudas chuckles.

DMD Skin Sciences

A board-certified dermatologist, like Dr. Mike D, can correctly diagnose your skin—whether it’s acne, or even folliculitis, rosacea, or periorificial dermatitis, which can all look like acne to untrained eyes—and prescribe treatment for faster results, prevent scarring, and may help you lift the heavy mental and emotional burden that acne brings.

Dealing with acne can be tough, but it’s a journey you don’t have to take alone. At DMD Skin Sciences, the experts accompany you throughout the entire, evidence-based process, and make sure your skin—as well as your heart and head—come out in tip-top condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Acne can significantly affect self-confidence, social participation, and psychological well-being. At DMD Skin Sciences, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mike D incorporates mental health check-ins into the treatment process, recognizing that the emotional impact of acne is as clinically significant as its physical presentation.

The DMD Glow Program is a personalized, evidence-based acne protocol at DMD Skin Sciences in the Philippines. It typically combines topical and oral medications tailored per patient, alongside regular mental health check-ins to monitor both skin progress and overall well-being throughout treatment.

Self-medicating with over-the-counter products can worsen acne, increase the risk of scarring, and cause post-inflammatory pigmentation. A board-certified dermatologist can accurately diagnose the condition — distinguishing acne from look-alikes like folliculitis, rosacea, or periorificial dermatitis — and prescribe targeted treatments for faster, safer results.

Yes. Folliculitis, rosacea, and periorificial dermatitis can all present similarly to acne to an untrained eye. Accurate diagnosis by a board-certified dermatologist is essential, as each condition requires a different treatment approach. Misdiagnosis and incorrect product use can delay recovery and cause further skin damage.

DMD Skin Sciences is a dermatology clinic in the Philippines led by John Michael Dellariarte, MD, MPH, FPDS — known online as Dr. Mike D. A board-certified dermatologist and former acne sufferer himself, Dr. Mike D specializes in evidence-based, personalized acne treatment that addresses both the medical and emotional dimensions of the condition.