Acne affects each person differently, from the occasional pimple to bothersome blackheads or painful, inflamed bumps causing scarring. If it affects your ability to enjoy life, or work or socialize with confidence, acne should be treated by a dermatologist. Your doctor will develop a customized acne treatment plan that controls your breakouts and keeps your skin clearer.
When to Talk to a Dermatologist About Your Acne
If you have occasional breakouts that annoy you but do not affect your life in a significant way, you may not need help to manage your acne and can generally try some over-the-counter simple products. However, if your breakouts cause scars, affect your confidence and social life, or never seem to go away, a dermatologist at Krauss Dermatology can help you get your condition under control and stop letting acne interfere with your life.
Acne Treatments to Ask Your Dermatologist About
When you schedule a consultation to talk about your acne, your dermatologist will ask you questions about how often your acne occurs, what it looks and feels like, and which treatments you have tried before. You will also have a chance to ask any questions you have, so you can feel free to ask about these treatment options.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
With so many acne products on store shelves, it can be hard to know which to try. If what you have used in the past has not worked, your dermatologist may start you with a treatment routine containing easily available products.
A salicylic acid cleanser can significantly improve your skin with minimal irritation. We recommend products without unnecessary fragrances or irritants if your skin is sensitive. The next step is often a benzoyl peroxide cream with 2.5% to 5% concentration. While stronger products are available, they can be very irritating to the skin and do not add benefits.
Some retinoids (such as Differin gel) are now available in stores instead of by prescription. These products can be drying and have other side effects, so they are usually recommended if your acne is not cleared with the previous methods.
Prescription Treatments
Retinoids come in prescription form as oral or topical treatments. Antibiotics (topical and oral) can also be prescribed to control the inflammatory bacteria, and oral contraceptive pills and other hormone modulators can effectively manage hormone-related acne for many women. Your dermatologist will discuss all your prescription options with you if over-the-counter products do not achieve clear skin.
How Long Do Acne Treatments Take To Work?
If you are struggling with acne, you want to see results as fast as possible. However, acne treatments usually take six to eight weeks to have their maximum effects. We usually recommend that you use each new treatment for at least this long so we can assess its effectiveness before moving on to stronger methods.
Take the Next Step
If you have further questions about acne treatments, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at Krauss Dermatology. Call us at (781) 247-5593 or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to taking care of you.