From Teacher to Skin Healer: How Julie Pruitt Is Transforming Lives Through Acne Treatments

Interview by Heather Anderson

As a former schoolteacher and longtime acne sufferer, Julie Pruitt never expected that a blunt comment from a student would reroute her entire career. But that moment — when a 13-year-old questioned why she still had acne at 26 — lit a fire. Now, as the founder of Acne Specialists, Julie helps clients of all ages reclaim their confidence by offering personalized, education-driven care that gets results.

With multiple locations across California (and one in Nashville, TN) and a team that connects daily to troubleshoot tricky cases, Acne Specialists is more than just a facial spa. It's a safe haven for people who've been dismissed, over-prescribed, or left feeling hopeless by the traditional dermatology route. In this conversation, Julie opens up about what makes her team different, what really works when it comes to acne, and how her clinic is helping clients of all backgrounds feel seen, supported, and cared for.

Can you take us back to the moment you first realized your skin needed professional help? What changed?

I was 26, teaching eighth grade in San Francisco, and one of my students looked at me and said, "Miss A, you still break out?" That comment cut deep. It was a turning point. I'd tried everything, and nothing worked. I was also burning out on teaching, so I decided to go to esthetician school. Ironically, my skin got worse while I was in school—which was frustrating.

Then one day, I saw a job listing for a clinic called Face Reality. I’d heard of them before and initially dismissed them. But I was desperate. I applied, got hired, and three months later, my skin was finally clear. That experience changed everything.

What was it like to switch from teaching to skincare, and how do your teaching skills still show up in your work?

It was definitely a big leap—going back to school and starting over was intimidating. But my teaching background helps so much. We work with tons of teens, and I know how to connect with them and explain things in a way that makes sense. Education is still a huge part of what I do.

Acne can be so isolating. How does your personal experience shape how you approach clients today?

Growing up, my best friends had perfect skin. I felt totally alone and so self-conscious. That never really leaves you. I understand how emotional acne is—I’ve had clients lie down for their first treatment and immediately start crying.

Because I’ve been there, I meet them with empathy. I know what it takes to trust someone after trying so many things that didn’t work. There’s no judgment here—just support.

“Acne is a disease. It’s not a hygiene issue, and it’s not something to be ashamed of.”
— Julie Pruitt

A lot of people start with dermatology. How is Acne Specialists different, and why might someone choose you instead?

We take a much more holistic and personalized approach. At the dermatologist, you're usually in and out in five minutes with a prescription. They often don’t ask about your diet, lifestyle, makeup, or even the products you're using.

At Acne Specialists, your first appointment is 90 minutes. We review everything—your triggers, your habits, your history. We customize a full skincare regimen and then see you every two weeks to adjust as needed. It's hands-on and supportive. We’re not prescribing antibiotics or harsh meds—we're helping you build a sustainable routine that works.

What kinds of myths do people believe when they first come in?

That they’re breaking out because they don’t wash their face. That acne is their fault. That something labeled "non-comedogenic" won’t clog pores. So much of it isn’t true—those terms aren’t regulated, and people are often over-washing and stripping their skin, making it worse.

Acne is a disease. It’s not a hygiene issue, and it’s not something to be ashamed of.

What does the typical new client journey look like?

It starts with a consultation and treatment—we go over your intake form, talk through your history, and review what might be triggering your breakouts. Then we do a light treatment: cleansing, gentle enzymes, extractions, maybe a mild peel or hydrating mask depending on your skin.

After that, we recommend a $215 new client product package that includes everything you need for three months: cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, SPF, and antibacterial. You come back every two weeks for check-ins and adjustments. Most people start seeing changes around the 6-week mark.

What kind of results do people usually see within the first few months?

It varies. Some people clear gradually, others go through ups and downs for the first six weeks, and then suddenly turn a corner. Because it takes 90 days for an acne lesion to come to the surface, you have to stick with it. By the third month, we usually see major improvements—and a big emotional shift.

How do you help people push through that waiting period?

We coach them. We remind them to trust the process and not give up after two weeks. That’s the biggest trap—jumping from one thing to the next too quickly. When people stick with our program and follow the instructions, we see real transformations.

Do you have a favorite client success story?

We’ll be pulling one from Yelp to include here—but yes, we’ve had many. Some people walk in defeated, embarrassed, and withdrawn. Watching them walk out a few months later glowing and confident is the best part of what we do.

How do you maintain the same high standards across all your locations?

Slack! Seriously. We communicate constantly—sharing success stories, tricky cases, new products, and updated lists of pore-cloggers. If someone has a tough client, it’s all hands on deck to figure it out. We’re a tight-knit team, even across cities.

What advice do you have for parents of teens who are just starting to break out?

Keep it simple. Avoid letting them buy random products from Sephora or TikTok. No 12-year-old needs a $100 vitamin C serum or a retinol. Start with a basic routine: acne-safe cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF. And no scrubs!

What about moisturizing? Isn’t that counterintuitive for acne?

Not at all. If you’re exfoliating, you have to replenish moisture. Otherwise, you risk drying out your skin barrier and making acne worse. Even oily skin needs hydration—it’s just about choosing the right type of moisturizer.

Hormonal acne is such a beast. How do you approach clients dealing with breakouts from birth control, pregnancy, or perimenopause?

Women get the short end of the stick when it comes to hormones. From puberty to menopause, we’re on a rollercoaster. Birth control, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, HRT—all of it can trigger breakouts.

We have a detailed list of acne-safe birth control options, and we educate our clients about what to expect. For example, the Mirena IUD often causes chin and jawline acne for the first few months. And certain forms of HRT—like progesterone or testosterone—can also cause flare-ups. We help clients manage it all.

You also work with a lot of LGBTQ+ clients, especially at your Walnut Creek location with Brandon. How do you create such a welcoming space?

It’s just who we are. From the beginning, our Oakland roots made us naturally inclusive. But we realized not every space feels safe, so we started being more vocal about it. We also offered free consults for trans clients in Tennessee during a period when trans rights were being threatened. Everyone deserves care. It should be the norm.

What’s one piece of encouragement you’d share with someone who feels like they’ve tried everything?

Stick with it. Follow the program all the way through. Don’t give up after two weeks. Acne doesn’t clear overnight, and it’s not your fault. But with the right support and consistent care, it absolutely can improve.

Want to see if Acne Specialists is a fit for you?

Connect with Julie on Facebook or LinkedIn.

You can also find her on The M List, The Mamahood’s searchable database of mom-recommended resources, or connect and collaborate with Julie inside The Club membership for women Founders.

Heather Anderson