Although you may feel that a mild acne condition can be treated on your&select=titlekeyword'>your own, it may be a good idea for you to visit a dermatologist if your&select=titlekeyword'>your skin begins to break out. Your dermatologist will provide you with valuable information on the acne cause as well as options for treatment. Additionally there exists a condition called keratosis pilaris. This condition is often times confused with acne. A dermatologist will be able to determine which condition you are experiencing so you do not waste your&select=titlekeyword'>your time with the wrong types of treatments.

Even though your&select=titlekeyword'>your less severe cases of acne may be treated effectively with over-the-counter acne medications, cases that are more severe require a doctor's attention. Physical as well as emotional suffering can be caused by acne and may even lead to scarring that becomes permanent. If your&select=titlekeyword'>your acne condition is not responding to over-the-counter acne medicine, a consultation with your&select=titlekeyword'>your dermatologist should be arranged.

Before your&select=titlekeyword'>your first consultation with your&select=titlekeyword'>your dermatologist for your&select=titlekeyword'>your acne condition, it is a good idea to write down as much information as possible about your&select=titlekeyword'>your acne. Your doctor will ask you questions concerning the background of your&select=titlekeyword'>your acne condition. For instance, your&select=titlekeyword'>your doctor may want to know the duration of your&select=titlekeyword'>your acne condition, what form your&select=titlekeyword'>your acne takes (whiteheads, blackheads, lesions etc.), and what method of treatment if any have you engaged in. Your doctor may also want to know if other members of your&select=titlekeyword'>your family have or have had acne and how severe it was.

If your&select=titlekeyword'>your acne is severe enough your&select=titlekeyword'>your acne treatment might include oral acne medications. You want to be prepared to inform your&select=titlekeyword'>your doctor if certain acne medicine might result in an allergic reaction. If you are a girl you may be asked to describe your&select=titlekeyword'>your menstrual period and if you are a boy you may be asked about your&select=titlekeyword'>your shaving habits.

Your dermatologist may suggest a choice of treatments so your&select=titlekeyword'>your knowledge about the various options available may help you to make an educated decision. For instance, your&select=titlekeyword'>your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria that cause acne. Antibiotics for acne treatment may be taken orally or applied as a lotion to the skin. If your&select=titlekeyword'>your acne is sever enough, both forms of antibiotic treatments may be required.

Topical treatments may include benzoyl peroxide and/or retinoic acid. These solutions are usually prescribed in a gel form and in some cases may cause a reddening or drying of the skin.

In more severe cases physical treatments for acne may be suggested. These physical treatments may include the surgical removal of whiteheads and blackheads. These treatments in addition might also include the draining of cysts.

It is important to follow your&select=titlekeyword'>your doctor's directions regardless of the form of treatment you decide to follow. You want to insure you do not take more or less of an acne medicine then your&select=titlekeyword'>your doctor prescribes. You will want to continue treatment even after your&select=titlekeyword'>your acne clears up or until advised by your&select=titlekeyword'>your dermatologist to stop. Failure to follow your&select=titlekeyword'>your prescribed routine may result in a recurrence of your&select=titlekeyword'>your acne.