Seeing a Dermatologist for Acne

Acne is very frustrating and it may be a matter of understanding acne first.  Dermatologists recommend you learn about acne so that you can manage it.  Seeing a dermatologist for acne may be helpful but not always necessary.  Here’s some information that will help you decide.

The Power of Knowledge

Educating ourselves about something we are dealing with (or trying to deal with) helps us to understand the issue better and to ask the right questions.  Although I’m quite sure doctors get frustrated with patients who say, “I saw this on WebMD symptom checker and I think I have that <insert condition>.”

While I understand these doctors might get frustrated, doing some research to understand something really can be helpful if you approach it as research.  That way, you can start determining ways that you can gain control or manage the issue.  You are more informed so that you can ask questions but you need to be open to what a trained professional is telling you.

Sadly, too many people will try different courses of action, with lackluster results, because they really are unsure about what to do or how the treatment could work for their issue.  You’ll feel defeated if you don’t understand the issue enough to make better decisions.

Should I see a Dermatologist for Acne

The good news is that seeing a dermatologist for acne could be helpful.  After you’ve done some research on your own, you can gain quite a bit of understanding by seeing a dermatologist and asking the right questions – especially if you understand that managing your acne takes times and patience.  So, I would suggest learning what you can before seeing a doctor.

Everyone’s skin is different and there isn’t one “cure all”.  It’s something you learn about and make changes.  This could mean changes in your diet, changes in your sleep habits or changes in products you use.

Be your own skin expert

I think it’s important to listen to your skin and stop any product that had a bad effect on you.  Just because someone else uses a product that they think is wonderful doesn’t mean that it will work well for you.

I’ve had this happen to me repeatedly.  There is a well known brand that is widely used.  This brand, which I will not name, uses consultants for “in-home” parties.  These were very popular when I was in my 20’s (and probably still are).  I’d go to these skin care / make-up parties explaining to the consultant that I had very sensitive skin.  They would tell me (i.e. sell me) on a particular product saying that it is perfect for my skin type (sensitive).

I would buy the expensive product – with an uneasy feeling.  But, I was young and naive enough to do it only to find that my skin would break out or have a bad reaction, such as redness.  My skin was so sensitive to the ingredients in many of their products that I couldn’t even use their eye liner or mascara!

I finally wised up and stopped buying and using those products.  (This is actually when I took matters into my own hands and started my research – which led to the creation of the company / brand Nutt So Ruff.)  So, be your own skin expert – listen to your skin and you’ll know when / if you should be seeing a dermatologist for acne.

Seasonal changes

You should also know that your skin can change from day to day but also every season or every year.  As we age, our hormones shift and that can change our skin.  So, once again, education is key to understand your body and when you need to do something different and not so harsh.  Sometimes, our skin changes so drastically that what we used to use no longer agrees with our skin.  (So frustrating, by the way!)

So, learn about your acne and then YOU can make the best decisions about YOUR skin!  And, you won’t wonder anymore if you should be seeing a dermatologist for acne.

Learn as much as you can about your skin and acne so that you can make the best and most informed decision about YOUR skin and your body.  This will not only help your skin but also your self-confidence.  I believe our skin and our confidence go hand in hand and if you pay attention to your body, you’ll notice a shift in how you feel.

On Day 27 of our Self confidence challenge, I want you to start paying attention to your body.  Do certain foods seem to make you breakout?  Maybe a certain skin care product feels itchy and causes redness?  Pay attention, do a little research and take back control of your life for better self confidence / self-esteem and most of all – Happiness!