Podcast Summary: The Treatment Room – “Signs your skin is improving (even if you're not clear yet!)”
Host: Tessa Zolli
Date: November 14, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, licensed esthetician and acne specialist Tessa Zolli encourages listeners by identifying concrete signs that their skin is becoming healthier, even if they are still experiencing some breakouts. She tackles the emotional rollercoaster of acne journeys, dispelling misconceptions about healing timelines and emphasizing the importance of celebrating incremental progress. Tessa draws from her expertise (and personal experience) to help clients recognize wins beyond simply having a completely clear complexion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Skin Healing is Nonlinear

• Clearing acne is a process, not a quick fix.
• Progress is not always linear; there will be ups and downs due to the complex nature of skin.
• Patience and consistency are critical: “It’s not Amazon Prime. It’s not clear at the touch of a button.” (Tessa, 01:31)

2. Sign 1: Breakouts Happen Less Frequently

• A reduction in how often new breakouts occur is a major indicator of improvement.
• Acne-prone individuals may still periodically break out, but over time, breakouts should become less frequent and less severe.
• Skin congestion takes up to 90 days to surface, so instant results are unrealistic:

  “Did you know it can take up to 90 days for congestion to surface in the skin?” (Tessa, 04:18)

• Celebrate even small reductions in breakout frequency.

3. Sign 2: Skin Heals Faster

• Faster healing time for pimples and reduced lingering pigment or cysts signals improved barrier health.
• Improved healing means the skin is getting the nutrients and support it needs.
• Treating acne isn’t just about clearing pimples—it’s about strengthening the skin so it can heal itself:

  “Acne is actually trauma to the skin.” (Tessa, 07:25)

4. Sign 3: Confidence Increases

• Clients start to feel less self-conscious and more comfortable in their skin.
• Small shifts, like enjoying makeup for fun instead of as a necessity, signal progress:

  “That small shift from just feeling like you have to use makeup as a crutch... to just reaching for makeup because you want to feel fun... is such a subtle but powerful sign of progress and we need to celebrate it.” (Tessa, 09:44)

• Clients may become less preoccupied with checking their skin or feel more at ease in social situations.

5. Sign 4: You Can Travel Without a Skin “Meltdown”

• Healthy skin becomes more resilient to changes in environment, routine, or travel stressors.
• Practical tips: Bring your own clean pillowcases, use gentle detergents, maintain nutrition and sleep, and stick to your skincare routine.
• Client milestone:

  “When a client says, ‘I traveled the other weekend... and for some reason [my skin] didn’t [break out] this time'—that is a sign we’ve gotten it clearer and we’ve gotten it stronger.” (Tessa, 13:26)

6. Sign 5: Skin Is Less Oily or Dry

• Improved skin balance; less excessive oiliness or dryness during the day.
• Achieving a “middle ground” in skin texture signals progress.

7. Sign 6: Smoother Texture and More Even Tone

• Noticeable improvements in skin smoothness and reduced red marks, even if some acne remains.
• Signs that the skin is repairing itself and hydration is improving.

8. Sign 7: Less Irritation and Sensitivity

• Many mistake sensitized (compromised) skin for naturally sensitive skin.
• Improved barrier health means less redness, stinging, or product reactivity.
• Ability to tolerate actives increases with barrier repair:

  “If you feel like, you know, you are struggling to use acne treatments because your barrier is in shambles... work with someone who can help build up your barrier and help introduce the right active for you in a gentle way.” (Tessa, 19:13)

9. Sign 8: Skin Feels Softer and Plumper

• Hydrated, softer, plumper skin needing less moisturizer reapplication shows improved health.
• Hydrated skin has more light reflection and fewer signs of flakiness or dullness.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On expectations:
  “It is not going to be that as soon as you start the program, you are clear. But what you will notice is over time, the breakouts are happening less and less often...” (Tessa, 05:18)
• On acne and emotional wellbeing:
  “When I was struggling with my skin...I couldn’t enjoy, you know, an hour at dinner, I couldn’t enjoy a day at a pool party...without running to the bathroom to check my skin.” (Tessa, 10:37)
• On barrier health:
  “It’s not just about treating acne, it’s also about treating barrier health.” (Tessa, 21:15)
• On actives and irritation:
  “The first active I ever tried was a mid strength tretinoin. And was my skin ready for that? No...My barrier was not healthy enough.” (Tessa, 18:25)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:40–03:00: The acne journey and why it’s not linear
• 03:01–06:20: Frequency of breakouts and what improvement looks like
• 06:21–08:00: Faster healing and what it means for skin health
• 08:01–12:20: The impact on confidence and enjoyment of makeup
• 12:21–14:05: Travel and skin resilience
• 14:49–17:10: Signs of balanced oil/dryness, improved texture, and tone
• 17:11–21:40: Sensitivity, irritation, actives, and overall skin softness/plumpness

Tone & Language

Tessa is positive, supportive, and reassuring. She interweaves personal anecdotes and humor (“It’s not Amazon Prime!”) with practical advice. Her approach is empathetic, demystifying the complexities of skin health for both professionals and acne sufferers.

Conclusion

This episode empowers listeners to notice and celebrate their skin’s improvements beyond just “getting clear.” Through relatable stories and actionable tips, Tessa reframes progress, emphasizing the importance of skin barrier health, healing timelines, and emotional wellbeing throughout the acne journey. Fans are encouraged to reach out for one-on-one coaching if they seek more personalized support.