People often struggle when it comes to timing their decision to visit a dermatologist. After all, it can be a big leap to go from conventional, store-bought treatments to prescription acne medications. Many feel that their particular case of acne might not be severe enough to warrant the additional expense and added inconvenience of scheduling an appointment. Further, those of us who have suffered from acne are familiar with the false sense of hope that one day our acne medication will begin working. Sometimes this is the case, but in most circumstances more time will only translate to a gradual increase in breakouts. To help ease the burden which this decision can place on you, we have provided some cues below to help you gauge when enough is enough with commercial acne treatments.
It is no secret that acne can have a tremendous psychological impact on a person when one suffers for an extended period of time. At first, it's more of a minor problem that we consciously pray will eventually go away. When it begins to intrude on your social life and daily activities, it can seem the like worst disorder in the world. If you are at the point where you feel your lesions have severely limited your lifestyle, you need to see a skin care professional. Conventional treatments will not provide you adequate or speedy relief. Prescription acne medications like Retin-A can start working in as little as six weeks, which is a welcomed fact for those who have endured the condition for a few years or longer.
The physical effects of acne are just as important and should be somehow considered in your decision. If you wake up every morning to inflamed pimples (particularly those that have a diameter nearby that of a penny) you need to receive urgent care. Cystic or nodulocystic acne, as the more severe lesions are commonly known, should be a severe cause for alarm. These can cause deep scarring that can only be reversed by expensive and extensive treatments. Acne medications available over-the-counter like benzoyl peroxide cannot treat these types of lesions. Oftentimes, a course of Accutane (Isotretinon) is required to normalize oil production. Anyone with this form of acne is asked to immediately schedule an appointment.
Finally, the financial aspect to the treatment needs to be considered. Most of us who have been to a physician or specialist know that service doesn't come cheap. Fortunately, some insurance companies will cover a visit to the dermatologist as well as your prescription medications. You will have to call to uncover complete details. Even if you have no insurance and limited financial resources at your disposal, you should seek relief if you fit any of the profiles outlined above. It may take some time to shop around for a good provider, but you will be very glad that you did when your acne ordeal is all said and finished.
