What Can A Dermatologist Do To Help With Your Acne?

Acne is a condition that can be mild, moderate, or severe, but to those who suffer from the issues, even a few pimples can feel like the end of the world. Sometimes finding the right acne treatment seems to be just out of their reach, and they do not know where to turn. When the natural and over the counter methods are still leaving you with those severe breakouts, it might be time to call in the help of a professional instead. A dermatologist can help by giving you more insight as to what might be causing your acne. In fact, you will find that a dermatologist can help in a number of ways.
Choosing the Right Skincare Specialist
When you decide that a dermatologist is going to be the best course of action, the first thing that you will want to do is find the best in your area. You can start your research online and look at the various clinics and specialists, and then dig deeper to learn more about their experience and areas of expertise. If you are an adult who has acne, for example, going to a doctor who specializes in dealing with teens who have acne might not be the best solution. You have to make sure that you find someone with whom you are comfortable as well. Once you narrow your choices, you will want to prepare for your first appointment.
Visiting the Dermatologist for the First Time
When you are visiting the specialist for the first time, you are going to be gauging whether he or she is the right doctor for you. However, you also want to make sure that you are a good patient. What does it mean to be a good patient? You should take some notes regarding your acne. The more information that you can provide to the dermatologist the better off your will be. This will give a much better understanding of your condition, as well as the severity, frequency of bad breakouts, and even what type of acne you have. The more information you are able to offer the better.
What the Dermatologist Can Tell You
Once the specialist has the time to interview you and examine your skin, he or she will be able to have a clearer picture of what might be the cause of your problems. It can be any number of things, from hormones to diet to stress, that cause acne, so knowing what your root cause could be is going to be important when you are seeking treatment.
A number of treatment options are available depending on what type of acne you have and what is causing it. One of the most common treatments is antibiotics, which is useful for those who have severe acne. In some cases, the antibiotics are taken orally, while in other cases, the patient can apply it as a topical cream. Other types of topical treatments are available as well, some of which are available over the counter and some of which that need a prescription. Your doctor is going to let you know which option is going to work the best for you.
Once you have your treatment regiment from the dermatologist, it is important to follow it completely. When you visit your specialist for a follow-up, he or she will be able to see how well the treatment is working for you and make any adjustments where necessary.
Do all people who have acne need to see a dermatologist? No, in some cases, it is possible to clear up at home with OTC meds. However, those who want to know more about their skin and how to care for it will benefit from a trip to a good dermatologist.
David Greenville is a writer for BestAcneTreatment.org, where you can find information on the best acne treatment, acne product comparisons and more.