If you have acne that is not responding to at home treatment, or treatment seems to have become ineffective then that means it is probably time for you to see a dermatologist or physician. Many times people delay making an appointment because they are afraid or nervous. However it is important to get over this fear and hesitation as early and effective treatment of acne helps reduce the risk of scarring, lasting damage to a person’s self esteem, further outbreaks etc. If you are thinking about seeing a dermatologist but are afraid and don’t know what to expect, here are a few pointers that can help you prepare yourself mentally.
Things the doctor or dermatologist will most likely do
When you go to a dermatologist for the first time, you will most likely have to fill out paperwork. That is why its never a bad idea to write down your medical information such as any conditions you’ve been diagnosed with, and any medications you may be taking, etc. also keep track of any personal information that may have changed recently, and try to remember or write down any questions you may have. Once you have filled out the necessary paperwork, the dermatologist or physician will most likely call you back to their office.
It is here that they will then most likely ask you a number of questions.
A few typical questions that are usually asked are as follows:
- When did you first develop acne?
- Does anything seem to trigger your acne?
- What medications are you currently taking?
- Is your skin oily or dry? –This is asked to usually determine which type of topical medications to use.
- Are you sexually active? Are you using birth control?
- In women/ Are your menstrual periods regular?
- What types of soaps, lotions, cosmetics, etc. do you use?
- Do you have a family history of acne?
- What treatments have you tried so far? What has been effective?
- How is acne affecting your self esteem?
- Where is your acne located?
After asking you a few questions to understand your situation and your skin type better, they will probably ask to examine your skin. They may look at it and ask you a few more questions to gain a better understanding of what they are dealing with. It is usually after all of this that they will most likely explain to you what type of acne you are suffering from, things you can do to treat and prevent it, and in most cases they will also prescribe you a medication to treat the acne. Many times they are topical medications applied to the affected area that help to heal skin and prevent future outbreaks.
- Follow your doctor or dermatologist’s treatment suggestions and read and follow all labels on medications/prescriptions properly.
- Keep your doctor or dermatologist updated on your situation and how the treatment is going. If you run into any problems or the medication seems to become ineffective let them know immediately so they can get you started on something else.
- If you suffer any side effects discontinue treatment and contact your dermatologist immediately for further advice and suggestions.
