How a Dermatologist Can Help Clear Up Your Complexion

Are you worried about your acne and complexion? Many studies show evidence that at least one in five adults had severe acne at one point in their life. This can do damage on a person’s self-esteem and make one feel very self-conscious. Luckily there are many different types of treatments to help clear up ones’ complexion.

Most commonly known are the well advertised over-the-counter treatments such as Proactiv and celebrity sponsored products that oftentimes make it seem like the acne should rapidly go away leaving perfectly clear skin behind in as little as two weeks!

However, this is not always the case. While many individuals do improve with the products available over the counter, a large number find out that they really need something more.

If you find yourself with stubborn acne and breakouts that just don’t go away with the products available over the counter then your best possibility for clearing up your complexion would be to receive acne treatment from a dermatologist. Dermatology acne treatments include such things as oral and topical antibiotics, topical and oral retinoid products, physical treatments such as comedone extractions to remove whiteheads and blackheads, and laser and other light treatments. All are very effective and a Dermatologist can help decide which is most suitable based upon the results of your medical history and examination. At times females with hormonal acne benefit from hormonal medications that create a better balance for the body so that the bothersome breakouts don’t occur.

Let’s look a little more closely at some of these treatment options. To start off, one of the many ways a dermatologist can help clear up your complexion is with antibiotic treatment. Some cases of acne are caused by a growth of bacteria within the pores and follicles in the areas prone to breakouts. In cases such as this a dermatologist can prescribe antibiotics in either an oral or topical form, keeping in mind that antibiotics have to be used only when necessary to minimize the risk of resistant organisms developing unnecessarily. Studies have shown that when benzoyl peroxide is used topically in addition to topical or oral antibiotics, the appearance of resistant organisms is greatly reduced if not totally eliminated.

Secondly, another route a Dermatologist might take a patient down is topical treatment with medications belonging to the retinoid family which help to clear up existing clogged pores as well as prevent new ones. Other topical treatment can include ingredients such as azelaic acid, exfoliating ingredients, or light sensitive products such as aminolevulinic acid which is combined with blue light treatment. These products are designed to reduce the acne causing bacteria as well as reverse the changes inside the pores that lead to acne.

In very severe cases oral retinoid therapy with isotretinoin might be recommended. It is the most effective acne medication of all, but usage is restricted due to potential birth defects if females take the medication during pregnancy and the need to monitor body functions with blood tests for a five to six month course of treatment for males and females.

However, this is one of the many acne treatments that might dramatically change one’s life for the better!

Acne surgery is one of the physical methods used as a treatment option. It involves the removal of blackheads or whiteheads with an instrument designed to express the oil plugs from the pores without injuring the pore itself which is a frequent problem when you might use your fingers to get the plugs out of the pores. Other physical methods can include chemical peels as well as microdermabrasion which both contribute to reversal of the factors that cause acne and improvement of the healing process.

Laser light of several wavelengths can help treat acne. If the light is in the ultraviolet range, it can help to decrease the growth of the bacteria that cause acne. If the light energy is in the infrared range, it can actually help to shrink the oil glands which causes the acne to improve.

Common Questions to Ask Your Dermatologist:

• What treatment options are there for my acne?
• When will I see noticeable results?
• Will I experience any side effects?

Some of the answers might be different from what you expect to hear.  For example most dermatologists will tell you that it will take 3 to 4 months to get the acne under good control compared to the 2 weeks you see on television commercials. Also, since no 1 treatment works 100% of the time, you might have to try several different treatment regimens to find the one that works best for you.

In conclusion, there are many acne treatments a dermatologist might offer to you that have the best chance at clearing up your complexion. Although some may think it might be a little pricey to go see a doctor just for acne many times that is just what is needed. The investment to clear up your complexion can yield a return by raising ones self-esteem.