For about a decade, Dr. Amy Wechsler has been my go-to dermatologist—and, occasionally, my therapist. Her approach to skincare extends far beyond medicine. She practices with a rare understanding of what she calls the mind-beauty connection (also the title of her best-selling book), and has become one of New York’s most sought-after physicians by recognizing how skin, stress and self-esteem are inextricably linked.
As someone prone to hormonal flare-ups, I’ve had my share of emergency cortisone injections at Dr. Wechsler’s Upper East Side office, and they’re always delivered with empathy, humor and her signature calm.
So it comes as little surprise that Dr. Wechsler is now scaling that philosophy with Spotless, the acne-focused concept she co-founded with her daughter, Zoe. Spotless functions as a kind of walk-in acne clinic, where clients can pop in for cortisone injections, peels or extractions in between brunch and vintage shopping. The goal is to destigmatize acne and treat it on the spot—before it has the chance to spiral, worsen, or take over someone’s week.
I had the privilege to sit down with Dr. Wechsler and Zoe to explore how Spotless came to life, and how it’s poised to redefine acne treatment.
Dr. Amy Wechsler: During business school, I realized I wanted to reach more people than I could in my office. Acne is something I’ve always loved treating—I trained with a world expert, and as a psychiatrist as well, I deeply understand the emotional weight it carries. During the pandemic, Zoe and I were having so much fun working together on our podcast, and I kept getting after-hours texts from patients begging for a cortisone shot before a wedding, a date, a big meeting. I’d go in on weekends because I understood how much it mattered to them. I remember thinking, “There needs to be an accessible place people can go for this.” The idea quickly expanded from a pimple shot bar to: Why not treat all of acne?
Zoe Wechsler: I’m 27, so I bring my own generation’s perspective—what we expect from skincare, what feels inclusive, what feels safe. But I also ask younger friends, siblings, cousins. We’re very intentional about keeping Spotless gender-neutral and generationally neutral. Acne doesn’t discriminate, and we want the experience to reflect that. Working with my mom is honestly the best thing ever. We joke that we have telepathy, but we sort of do.
ZW: First, a calm, welcoming space—no overwhelming walls of product. We have the “Spot Shop,” which we’ve curated over months. Every product is non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and acne-safe. Just a few options per category so you’re not choosing between 100 cleansers. Then there are four treatment rooms with our nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
AW: Clinically, we offer three procedures: Pimple shots (cortisone injections), Pimple extractions, 20% salicylic acid acne peels and just as importantly: consultations. The first visit is longer—we take a medical history, understand how acne affects your life, and prescribe topical and/or oral medications. We’re here for the emergency pimple and the long-term plan.
AW: One of our mottos is “Nothing to hide.” Acne is incredibly common—up to 92% of teens, and the majority of people in their 20s—but it still carries stigma. Even with the transparency movement, many people feel alone. We want Spotless to be the place where they feel seen, heard, and treated effectively. Eventually, we hope to build an online community of patients supporting each other.
ZW: We also do “education with a wink.” At my mom’s office, patients leave with a caramel. At Spotless, you’ll get a little chocolate treat on your way out—because no, chocolate doesn’t cause acne. It’s a fun moment of myth-busting.
AW: That acne isn’t treatable. That diet alone can cure it. That safe medications have dangerous side effects. And then there’s the rise of beef tallow and snail mucin on people’s faces. Social media can be amazing, but misinformation spreads faster than truth.
ZW: Accutane fear-mongering drives me crazy. A properly dosed course has an 80% cure rate. The real side effects are manageable and monitored. The fake side effects are what tend to get the views.
AW: Exactly. I spend half my day debunking myths one-on-one. It’s inefficient – so I finally joined TikTok. One goal of Spotless is making evidence-based acne education accessible at scale. We’ve created a rigorous clinical training program for our team so care is consistent, safe and grounded in science.
AW: With our seed round, we’re opening two locations—our flagship on 75th and Lexington, and a downtown location this spring. From there, the plan is to grow from two to 10 across the New York area, using the first two as learning labs. After that, national expansion.
ZW: And eventually global. But step one is becoming the acne destination in New York.
AW: We can’t legally say “the first,” but yes—nothing exists at this scale, with this level of dermatologic and psychiatric expertise. My background in both fields informs everything about the care experience.
ZW: We divide and conquer naturally. We trust each other completely. And we genuinely love it.
AW: Zoe is incredibly fast, intuitive, creative, and has an amazing eye for brand, design and writing. I’m science-y and clinical. We complement each other. And because she lives at home, we’re working 24/7—but in the best way.
ZW: Spotless is our thing we built together. It’s the best part of my day.
AW: And we’re doing it to help people. The experience matters to us as much as the clinical results. We want Spotless to be the place that clears your skin and makes your day.