When should I see a doctor for acne? Deciding on clearer skin

It's a common dilemma for people of all ages: when should I see a doctor for acne treatment? To help you decide, the board-certified skin specialists at Midwest Dermatology advise that you first evaluate your skin and the acne you may be experiencing.

If your acne is recurrent, a dermatologist can prescribe medication that will help prevent these breakouts. If you have moderate to severe acne, an arsenal of stronger, prescription medications will probably be needed to keep your acne in check. And if you have dry or sensitive skin, or an excessively oily complexion, prescription medications can be dispensed using the correct formula for your skin type.


Over the Counter Treatments

While the aisles are filled with over the counter (OTC) acne fighting products, they're not always the most effective. Commonly, OTC creams contain benzoyl peroxide, an effective agent that can help "dry up" mild pimples and whiteheads. Washes and astringents containing alcohol and acetone temporarily remove oils from the skin's surface, but do nothing to clear acne or prevent new breakouts. And these products contain harsh ingredients that may be damaging to the skin.

Be cautious when choosing over the counter products - choose the wrong one and you won't see much improvement in your acne. The alternative may be too harsh, leaving your skin red and scaly.


Prescription Treatments

A better option is to have your skin evaluated by a dermatologist. Prescriptions available from your doctor not only treat existing acne, they work against the causes of acne to prevent new outbreaks. And the severity of your acne and skin type will be considered in finding the optimal solution.

The most effective treatments working to fight acne:

• Topical antibiotics applied to the skin work by killing the bacteria that causes acne. Gels and lotions with Clindamycin, Erythromycin, and Tetracycline reduce the infections inside pores and help keep pores open.
• Differin gel or cream works deep inside skin to normalize the number of skin cells. This keeps skin cells from building up and keeps pores plug-free. Differin also works to clear existing acne.
• Prescription strength washes and benzoyl peroxide, the same drying agents found in some OTC products, can be recommended in the strength and formula best suited to your skin type.
• Oral antibiotics can be prescribed to reduce bacteria in the skin systemically - all over the body - to clear more difficult or widespread cases of acne. They are stronger than their topical cousins.
• Accutane, or isotretinoin, targets excess oil production, clogged pores, the number of acne-causing cells and inflammation. Reserved for the most severe cases, it can result in a dramatically clearer skin.
• Retin A and Renova are forms of Vitamin A and work to unplug pores and prevent new whiteheads and blackheads. Retin A is usually applied as a gel or lotion.

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In addition to prescription-strength medications, dermatologists have other treatments they can other. Options include cortisone injections to reduce redness and inflammation and comedone extractions - removal of the plugs in whiteheads and blackheads.

To better understand the difference between OTC products and the wide variety of treatments available from your physician, consider the chart below. (Keep in mind that these OTC products are only effective when chosen and used appropriately.)

Acne Type	Rx Treatment	OTC Treatment
Pimples (red, inflamed Papules and Pustules)	• Rx washes • Topical antibiotics • Oral antibiotics • Differin • Prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide	• Soaps • Astringent cleansers • Benzoyl Peroxide
Whiteheads	• Retin A/Renova	• None
Blackheads	• Retin A/Renova • Oral antibiotics • Comedone extraction	• None
Cystic Acne	• Accutane • Antibiotics • Intralesional injection	• None

To get the best results, dermatologists often recommend a combination of treatments. The goal is to eliminate acne and keep your skin looking good without the redness and drying that often result from the use of OTC acne treatments alone.

To find out what is recommended for your skin, schedule an appointment at Midwest Dermatology.