-
Step 1
WHEN IS IT TIME TO GO SEE A DERMATOLOGIST?
You may feel awkward about seeing a dermatologist, especially if you’ve been told that acne is something you will eventually outgrow. To help you decide whether or not it’s time to consult a dermatologist, listed below are some statements. Do any apply to you?
#My acne makes me shy.
#I am embarrassed by my acne.
#My outlook on life is less optimistic since I developed acne.
#None of the over-the-counter products and/or remedies I’ve tried has worked.
#I am beginning to see scars after acne lesions clear.
#I have painful, pus-filled lesions (nodules) in addition to blackheads and whiteheads (comedones), and reddened spots on my skin.
#I have dark skin, and a patch that is darker than my skin appears when an acne lesion clears. -
Step 2
DERMATOLOGIST TREATMENTS FOR ACNE:
The key to getting rid of acne lesions and preventing new ones from forming lies in knowing that:
1. Treatment will take time.
2. Trial and error, what works for one may not work for another.
3. A dermatologist help may be the key to the cure.
Those that suffer from acne are easily sold by miracle treatments, magical overnight cures. The truth of the matter is that acne will not go away overnight no matter how hard you try. It takes a good six to eight weeks to begin to see results. It seems that once the improvement is made that most acne suffers do not take into consideration that continued treatment is need to keep acne from surfacing again.
If improvement isn't seen in 8 weeks then the dermatologist may have to revise or change his treatment plan for you.
Every person is different and every treatment plan is different. You may respond well to one treatment where another person won't. That's why the dermatologist takes your history and from that determines his plan of treatment.
A dermatologist treatment can really make a difference. He considers several factors before he treats you. He takes into consideration how severe your acne is, what stage you have, what type of lesions are present, you may have more than one condition, than he takes age,lifestyle,skin type, what you have used for treatment before.
Through all of this he can individualize your treatment plan. Treating is currently and preventive is included in his therapy.
You really need to follow his advise and his plan. Never try to incorporated other treatments with out his permission. It may have adverse side effects or slow down or even stop the healing process he has set in motion. -
Step 3
MEDICATION PRESCRIBED BY A DERMATOLOGIST:
A dermatologist may use a combination of treatments. He may use one medication in the morning and one at night. Again his treatment varies with each individual. There are two types of medication that a dermatologist will use. Topical and internal. -
Step 4
TOPICAL MEDICATIONSTOPICAL MEDICATION:
Topical medication is applied to the skin.
Topical Antimicrobials: Used to inhibit acne and is used for those who have mild to moderate severe inflammatory acne.
Azeliac Acid: Used for mild to moderately severe inflammatory and non inflammatory acne. It decreases the abnormal shedding of skin cells and reduces inflammation. It is well tolerated by most and can be used for years.
Side effects. Some dryness of the skin and skin lightening where it is applied.
BENZOYL PEROXIDE: Works by killing the pustules or pimples. It is not an anti-inflammatory. Many acne preparations include benzoyl peroxide.
Benzoyl peroxide increases the effectiveness of some medicines such as erythromycin and clindamycin. With the combination it helps people be less likely to form a resistance to antibiotics.
SIDE EFFECTS: skin irritation and allergic reaction.
ERYTHROMYCIN: This topical anti-biotic is active against a broad spectrum of bacteria. It is an antimicrobial and an anti-inflammatory. It is primarily used to treat acne. When combined with benzyol peroxide it proves to be very effective. However when using it skin dryness and possible irritation can be a side effect.
CLINDAMYCIN: Has a long history of treating acne. It works by reducing the pustule acne and decreasing inflammation. It is safe and is well tolerated. Dryness and irritation can be possible side effects.
SODIUM SOLFACETAMIDE: Reduce pustule acne and opens clogged pores. It is also effective in treating inflammatory acne. It is combined with sulfur which gives it an unpleasant odor. It is gritty in texture.
TOPICAL RETINOIDS:
Derived from vitamin A and are the most popular for treatment of acne.
They work to unclog pores and prevent whiteheads and blackheads from forming.
They can irritate the skin and creates sun sensitivity.
An added benefit to using this is that they help diminish signs of aging.
Retinoids that are most popular are:
ADAPALENE: Synthetic. Unclog pores and has moderate to potent anti-inflammatory ability. Come in the form of gels or creams. You will notice improvement in about 8 to 12 weeks after starting treatment.
Some dryness and irritations may occur. -
Step 5
Tazarotene. A synthetic retinoid available as a gel or cream, it works to keep the skin’s pores clear and has proven effective in treating acne. This medication should not be used by women who are pregnant, and effective contraception is needed while taking tazarotene because the medication has produced birth defects in animals. Skin irritation is a possible side effect.
-
Step 6
ORAL MEDICATIONSORAL ANTIBIOTICS:
Oral antibiotics work in several ways:
1. Reduce the pus forming acne
2. Reduce the bacteria that causes inflammation
The benefits of oral therapy takes about four to six weeks.
It is vital that while on the medication that you take it regularly as prescribed. If the treatment does not work it is usually because the medication was not taken as directed. Once the inflammation is reduced or under control than the dosage of the antibiotics are gradually reduced and sometimes stopped all together.
Inflammatory acne takes anywhere from 3 to 6 months to clear. Once the oral medication is stopped than a topical anti-biotic is started.
In selecting the choice of antibiotic the doctor considers each antibiotics efficiency and how well you can tolerate it. Another consideration is if you are taking other medications and how well they will react to an antibiotic.
The most common antibiotics for acne treatment are:
Tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, and erythromycin. -
Step 7
There are a lot of choices for curing acne. Just be wise when purchasing over the counter. Some claim that there products are the best and really do nothing cure your wallet of being fat.
With your prescription medicines there are more chances of side effects, but under a doctor's care he can watch for those and change your treatment when needed. It's never a loss when you seek the advice of a doctor especially when everything else you have tried has failed.
Comments
jrofosho1 said
on 7/28/2009 awesome article for me thanks 5 stars
sunshine11219 said
on 3/19/2009 well researched article