I Visited the First Walk-In Acne-Only Skin Clinic

14.11.2025, 16:15 allure.com

Benjamin Franklin once said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." He forgot pimples. After all, who among us has not been confronted by an inflamed mound staking claim to their cheek, jaw, forehead, or chin? Regardless of skin care diligence, acne happens—and more often than not, at the most inopportune times. Pimple patches be damned; sometimes, the only course of action is to bring out the big guns: a board-certified medical provider. And now, getting an appointment is a whole lot faster and easier.

Spotless—a new kind of skin-care clinic exclusively catering to those last-minute acne catastrophes—planted a flag in New York City as of this week. Founded by board-certified dermatologist Amy Wechsler, MD, and her daughter, Zoe Wechsler, it operates differently from a traditional doctor’s office, merging the convenience of a med spa with the prestige and credibility of a dermatologist’s practice. No referrals are needed, and walk-in appointments are available because Dr. Wechsler understands the very real struggle of unforeseen breakouts.

“I get a lot of texts on nights and weekends from patients who had a wedding the next day, an interview, a date [asking for] a pimple shot,” Dr. Wechsler tells Allure, adding she simply does not have enough arms to accommodate urgent, after-hours asks. Zoe, a recent college graduate, took note of the demand for those unanticipated, stage-five acne alarms and the need for effective, accessible treatments across all demographics (especially among her Gen Z cohort) and thus, Spotless was born.

The flagship storefront on Manhattan’s Upper East Side offers extractions, 20% salicylic acid peels, and pimple shots—more formally known as cortisone injections, a diluted corticosteroid shot directly into a pimple or cyst to reduce swelling and redness. These “express” treatments cost $100 and are intended to be low risk, high reward. “There are actually no acne treatments that are at high risk for complications,” says Dr. Wechsler. “Perhaps in the wrong hands, anything could go wrong, but at Spotless everyone is highly trained by me in my office and have a minimum of a masters degree."

Consultations, during which a clinician assesses skin concerns and creates a personalized treatment plan (often including prescriptions), cost $250. Telehealth appointments are available for returning patients, too. And most impressively for anyone who’s found themselves scrolling through Zocdoc at midnight (don’t look at me), Spotless is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and 8 a.m to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, making it accessible for New York’s numerous nine-to-fivers. For weekend emergencies, Spotless operates from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays—but is closed on Sundays, because even the most dedicated acne fighters need a break.

After a few days of airline travel, I trudged through an 18-degree Fahrenheit wind chill and a smattering of snow flurries (plus, a smattering of some post-flight breakouts) to receive the salicylic acid peel at Spotless. My first observation: This feels like a med spa. That is to say, it’s cool: merch (because, of course) sits atop serpentine, aubergine shelving beside Gen Z-beloved products like Supergoop! Mineral Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 and Fazit Glitter Freckle Makeup Patches. This is no doubt because of Zoe, who is responsible for the look, feel, and overall vibe of each location (yes, there are more coming) in addition to overseeing marketing efforts and social media. It’s also worth noting that Spotless doesn’t have that classic medical office smell (top notes of isopropyl alcohol wipes with heartier base notes of pain-in-the-ass insurance claims). Instead, there’s an elevated, clean-but-not-sterile scent, likely wafting from the suite of Nécessaire products in the restroom.

My clinician, Betsy, a nurse practitioner, pulled aside a curtain to reveal a spartan room with a utilitarian workstation, an azure examination chair, and another pop of aubergine in the ubiquitous, rolling medical stool. Before my treatment, I was asked about all of my skin concerns, which I laid out: I, in my own words, flirt with rosacea; I’m currently receiving facial laser hair removal; I have dry, dehydrated skin that leans sensitive; and, when probed about medical-grade skin care I use or have used, I mentioned my oft-prescribed product of choice is an azelaic acid and ivermectin compound for said rosacea.

A peek inside a treatment room at Spotless.

With a thorough understanding of my skin history, the peel began. Three layers of 20% salicylic acid were applied to my skin, loosening sebum and providing gentle exfoliation. Betsy made sure there was no excessive tingling, common in chemical peels, before applying another layer. (I was also given a squeeze ball and hand fan for added comfort and tingle-busting insurance.) The treatment was swift, comprehensive, and pain-free. After the peel was wiped away, La Roche-Posay moisturizer was massaged across my face. Supergoop! SPF followed. “This isn’t something I would suggest the day before a sunny vacay due to sun sensitivity,” Betsy said. “But overall, it’s a gentle, worry-free treatment.” After my peel, in the bleak, gray New York weather, I felt like a beacon—a lighthouse of glow—unencumbered by dullness.

Sure, quick-and-easy skin clinics are a dime a dozen in 2025. Hard-to-vet medspas and facial bar chains exist on every street corner; it feels as though fast-casual restaurants are mere moments away from offering neuromodulators like one would a side of fries. But Spotless relies on science, not gimmicks. For example, all services are provided by board-certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants, who use a detailed curriculum created by Dr. Wechsler. It doesn’t require a membership or subscription, either—in fact, Spotless doesn’t offer them at all. In Dr. Wechsler’s words: “We want to cure you so you don’t have to come back.” Instead, patients looking for consistent care can buy treatment packages that cover pimple shots, extractions, acne peels, and follow-up visits. The packages include credits for treatments—one credit equals one treatment—in groups of three, five, and 10, offering 10%, 15%, and 20% off, respectively. The bundle of three and five credits allows for one transfer to another person, while the bundle of 10 treatments allows for a transfer to two people. (Do note, though, that credits cannot be transferred to the same person more than once!)

The clinic’s providers can also prescribe topical and oral medications, like adapalene gel, tretinoin cream, low-dose doxycycline, spironolactone, and isotretinoin (most commonly known as Accutane), a trusted tool in Dr. Wechsler’s kit for 20 years. “It’s my favorite medicine… [but] there are a lot of myths around it I’m trying to debunk,” she said. (Of course, she’s referring to the very complicated history of the drug.) Dr. Wechsler abides by the principle that slow and steady wins the race. “Stay at the lowest dose possible, [because] it’s better to do that and stay on it longer,” she said, while noting a full dose of isotretinoin has an 80% chance of curing a patient.

If it’s not abundantly clear, Spotless’s offerings are robust and meant to cater to the far-reaching needs of anyone struggling with their skin. That means meeting patients where they are and eliminating the challenges of modern medicine. No prohibitive scheduling woes, exorbitant costs (for example, a pimple shot at Dr. Wechsler’s OG practice costs $400 without insurance), limited hours, or intimidating, hypersterile environments. The clinic anticipates expanding in New York City before establishing a national presence—and based on the care I received, I hope it does.

Beyond the demand noticed by Zoe and the volume of folks struggling with acne (or those who don’t wash their pillowcases and makeup brushes as much as they should), Dr. Wechsler’s second specialty, psychiatry, also informed Spotless’ ethos. (She is dual board-certified in both dermatology and psychiatry.) Because even if a challenging breakout doesn’t leave a physical scar (or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), the emotional marks can be a lifelong burden—a reality Dr. Wechsler has experienced firsthand.

“I had horrible acne as a teenager, [and] I have so few pictures of those years because I avoided the camera—luckily they weren’t around as much then,” Dr. Wechsler said. “[I’m] taking my psychology approach—compassion and empathy—and infusing it into Spotless.” Compassion and empathy for her patients, but an unrelenting and fierce ass-kicking for pimples. We salute you, Dr. Wechsler.

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