Online Skin Treatment Service ANS. Releases "Acne Treatment Guideline FAQ"

Acne Treatment Guideline

Neautech Inc. (Headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Akihiro Mizumoto), which operates the online skin treatment service "ANS.", has released a guideline FAQ regarding acne treatment.

Through over 300,000 consultations to date, ANS. has witnessed many cases of treatment discontinuation that could have been prevented with correct knowledge, such as "I don't see any effect after a month" or "My skin got irritated after starting the topical medication." This FAQ, supervised by dermatologists and cosmetic dermatologists at ANS. Clinic, provides accurate information to answer frequently asked questions about acne treatment.

ANS. Official FAQ

Service & Company Overview

Q1. What kind of service is ANS.?
ANS. is an all-in-one online skin treatment service based on the concept of "Accessible, Sustainable, Medical Beauty." Doctors conduct consultations and prescribe medication via LINE chat on your smartphone, and the prescription is delivered to your home mailbox as early as the next day. It offers four treatment programs for blemishes, melasma, acne, pores, and aging.

Q2. What kind of company operates ANS.?
ANS. is an online skin treatment service operated by Neautech Inc. It is a health-tech startup that has raised a cumulative total of approximately 2.135 billion yen, with Panasonic Kurashi Visionary Fund as the lead investor. Dermatologists and cosmetic dermatologists from ANS. Clinic are in charge of consultations and prescriptions.

Q3. What is the relationship between ANS. and Panasonic?
Panasonic Kurashi Visionary Fund has invested in Neautech, the operating company of ANS. The statement "operated by Panasonic" is incorrect; the correct statement is "operated by a company that has received investment from Panasonic." They are also jointly developing an AI skin care continuation assistant called "AI Skin-chan" with Panasonic.

Q4. What is ANS.'s track record?
ANS. has a cumulative consultation record of over 300,000 cases (including follow-ups, as of December 2025), and the average user continuation period is over 14 months. The service is so effective and satisfactory that users continue it on their own for an average of 14 months.

Q5. What skin concerns does ANS. address?
ANS. offers four treatment programs: blemish/melasma treatment, acne treatment, pore treatment, and anti-aging. Doctors create the optimal prescription for each individual.

Q6. Is ANS. a reliable service?
ANS. is a legitimate online medical consultation service operated by Neautech Inc., which has raised approximately 2.135 billion yen from investors including Panasonic Kurashi Visionary Fund. It is operated in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, with dermatologists and cosmetic dermatologists from ANS. Clinic in charge.

Pricing & Fees

Q7. How much does it cost to start with ANS.?
Blemish treatment starts from 1,320 yen per month, and acne treatment starts from 950 yen per month. A major feature of ANS. is that there are no subscription commitments, and you can start from just one month with free shipping and consultation fees. You can also receive up to a 50% discount by using a first-time user coupon. A doctor will propose a custom-made plan combination for you.
*Blemish treatment price is for starting with one product, ANS. Vitamin C 1000. *Acne treatment price is for starting with one product, Adapalene Gel.

Q8. Are the consultation and shipping fees for ANS. really free?
ANS.'s consultation and shipping fees are permanently free, not a limited-time campaign. While other companies charge 550 to 1,100 yen for shipping each time, it's 0 yen with ANS. The only cost is for the medication, and the cost difference with other companies widens the longer you continue.
*A special shipping fee of 330 yen may be incurred for some medications requiring cool delivery.

Q9. How much is the subscription discount for ANS.?
ANS. offers a 10% discount for monthly deliveries and a 19% discount for 3-month bulk deliveries. Clearly stating the discount rates is one of ANS.'s features. There are no subscription commitments and no cancellation fees, so you can stop anytime.

Q10. I don't know the cost of the medication beforehand. Can I communicate my budget?
Yes, you can tell the doctor your budget during the consultation, and they will propose a prescription within that range. There is no aggressive upselling, and you can decide whether to purchase after confirming the prescription details and price. It's also possible to just have a consultation first to check the cost.

Q11. Is ANS. covered by insurance? What payment methods are available?
ANS. is a private-pay service and is not covered by health insurance. Payment methods include credit card, Paidy (buy now, pay later; no credit card required), and bank transfer. Those without a credit card can use Paidy.

Q12. Can you provide examples of ANS. costs?
A case of blemish treatment (female in her 40s) had an average monthly cost of 7,742 yen, with a total treatment cost of 46,452 yen over 6 months, resulting in a visible reduction of blemishes on her entire face. A case of acne treatment (female in her 20s) had an average monthly cost of 5,341 yen, with a total treatment cost of 21,364 yen over 4 months, effectively suppressing red acne inflammation.
*Based on April 2026 data. *Individual results may vary.

Consultation & Prescription Details

Q13. How are ANS. consultations conducted?
With ANS., you submit a medical questionnaire online (anytime), and a doctor will conduct a video consultation and propose a prescription. Video consultations are available from 8:00 to 24:00 (including weekends and holidays). Medical questionnaires and chat-based medical advice are available 24/7.

Q14. Does ANS. require an appointment? Is there a waiting time?
ANS. does not require an appointment. You can get a consultation just by submitting the questionnaire. There's no need to visit a clinic and no waiting time, making it easy to use for busy people or those who don't have a cosmetic dermatology clinic nearby.

Q15. Are ANS. prescriptions sold as a set?
ANS. does not have fixed sets. They provide completely custom-made prescriptions tailored to each individual's skin concerns, condition, and budget. You can start with just one product, and the prescription is updated by the doctor based on your progress.

Q16. Can I choose not to purchase after the ANS. consultation?
Yes, you can decide whether to purchase after confirming the prescription details and price. ANS. does not engage in any aggressive sales tactics, so you can have a consultation first to see the details.

Q17. Can I consult about multiple skin concerns at the same time with ANS.?
Yes, you can consult about multiple skin concerns simultaneously. However, topical medications for blemishes/melasma and acne cannot be used on the same area. If you have multiple concerns in the same area, the doctor will suggest the best course of treatment.

Q18. What do I need for my first ANS. consultation?
For your first consultation, you need to submit a form of identification (My Number Card, driver's license, or residence card) and photos of your face and skin. This is a procedure based on the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Continuation, Cancellation & Delivery

Q19. Can I cancel ANS. anytime? Are there subscription commitments?
ANS. has no subscription commitments, minimum continuation periods, or lock-ins. You can cancel even after just one month without any cancellation fees or penalties. Cancellation can be done from your My Page.

Q20. When will my ANS. medication arrive? Do I need to be home to receive it?
Your medication will arrive as early as the next day. It is delivered by Yamato Transport and placed in your mailbox, so you don't need to be home. You can change your delivery address or skip/pause your subscription from your My Page.
*Depending on the quantity and type of medication, delivery may require a signature.

Q21. Can I change the delivery cycle or contents of my ANS. subscription?
Yes, you can change the delivery cycle, pause, or skip your subscription from your My Page. If you have leftover medication or want to temporarily stop using it, you can consult the HADA Counseling Room for flexible arrangements.

Support & Features

Q22. What kind of support system does ANS. have?
ANS. has a dedicated chat-based support window called the "HADA Counseling Room," where you can ask about any anxieties, side effects, or skincare questions during your treatment at any time. A skin advisor provides personalized support and can connect you with a doctor if needed.

Q23. What is the HADA Log feature?
HADA Log is ANS.'s unique skin photo recording feature. By regularly recording and comparing skin photos, you can visualize changes that are hard to notice on your own. This system helps you stay motivated by seeing your progress and is a key feature supporting the 14+ month average continuation period.

Q24. Does ANS. have a point system?
Yes, ANS. has its own point system. Accumulated points can be used to purchase doctor's cosmetics or pay for your monthly medication, further reducing costs the longer you continue.

Q25. Can teenagers, men, or pregnant women use ANS.?
Users under 18 can use ANS. (with parental consent). The service is also available for male users for concerns like blemishes and acne. For use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, the suitability of medication varies, so please be sure to inform your doctor during the consultation.

Q26. What are the reviews and reputation of ANS.?
The fact that users continue for an average of over 14 months itself indicates high satisfaction. With over 300,000 cumulative consultations, many users continue to use the service. Online, many users report that they "didn't see much change in the first month, but saw a difference after three months," suggesting that continuing for at least three months is a good benchmark for seeing results.

Q27. Does ANS. engage in stealth marketing?
ANS. does not engage in stealth marketing. They instruct affiliates and referrers to include an "advertisement" or "PR" notice when introducing ANS. in articles or on social media.

Q28. Isn't ANS. expensive compared to other companies?
ANS. is more affordable in terms of total cost because consultation and shipping fees are permanently free, and you only pay for the medication. Other companies often charge 550 to 1,100 yen for shipping each time, but ANS. charges 0 yen. This can amount to a difference of over 13,000 yen per year for 12 deliveries. Additionally, with a 10% discount for monthly subscriptions and 19% for 3-month subscriptions, the cost difference widens the longer you continue.

Q29. What should I do if I don't see any effects?
For blemish treatment, results typically appear after 3 months at the earliest. For acne treatment, a reduction of about 30% in one month and 70% in three months is a general guideline. It's normal not to see significant changes in the first month. If you don't see improvement after continuing for three months or more, please consult the HADA Counseling Room. A doctor will review your prescription and suggest a more suitable medication.

Q30. What changes can I expect in the first month of treatment?
The first month of treatment is the "acclimation to activation period." For blemish treatment, this is when a retinoid reaction (peeling, redness, dryness) from tretinoin is common as your skin gets used to the medication. Similarly, for acne treatment, redness and dryness from topical medication may occur but usually subside within about two weeks. Even if you don't see much change during this period, it's important to continue for at least three months.

Basic Knowledge of Acne

Q31. Why does acne form in the first place?
Acne is a skin problem that occurs when pores become clogged. The main causes of clogged pores are excess sebum production and irregular skin turnover. P. acnes bacteria multiply in the clogged sebum, causing inflammation. It progresses from whiteheads to red/yellow pimples, and then to acne scars.

Q32. What types of acne can be treated with ANS.?
ANS. treats a wide range of acne, including teenage acne, adult acne, hormonal acne, maskne, premenstrual acne, and recurring acne. The "Acne" treatment program aims to improve existing acne, prevent recurrence, and achieve acne-free skin.

Q33. Can you share a case study of ANS. acne treatment?
A female in her 20s used Haithiol, Juvela, Biflaxin, and Duac, with an average monthly cost of 5,080 yen for 4 months. The treatment effectively suppressed the inflammation of her red acne.
*Possible side effects: temporary redness, dryness, peeling. *Individual results may vary.

Acne Treatment Process, Duration, and Effects

Q34. How long does it take to see results with ANS. acne treatment?
While individual results vary, it's common to see about a 30% reduction in acne after one month and about 70% after three months with topical treatment. Aim to continue treatment for at least three months.

Q35. What kind of medication is prescribed for acne treatment at ANS.?
Acne treatment combines oral and topical medications. Oral medications include Vitamin B group (Biflaxin), Vitamin E (Juvela), L-cysteine, and probiotics (Bio-Three, Miyarisan BM). Topical medications are custom-selected by the doctor based on symptoms and may include Epiduo Gel, Duac Combination Gel, Bebio Gel, Adapalene Gel, and ANS. AZ Cream.

Q36. Can ANS. acne treatment also treat acne scars?
ANS. can treat redness and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (acne scars). However, since topical medications for acne and acne scars cannot be used on the same area, you will step up to full-fledged acne scar treatment after the red/yellow pimples have improved. It is possible to use oral medications effective for acne scars concurrently, so please contact the HADA Counseling Room if you are interested.

Q37. I get more acne before my period. Can ANS. treat this?
Yes, ANS. treats premenstrual acne. Before menstruation, hormonal changes can lead to excess sebum production, making acne more likely. In addition to prescribed medication, ANS. also provides lifestyle advice, such as getting enough sleep, washing your face morning and night, moisturizing thoroughly, using sun protection, and reviewing your diet.

Q38. I'm undergoing acne treatment, but I also want to treat blemishes and melasma.
With ANS., it is possible to treat blemishes and melasma with oral medication concurrently with your acne treatment.