Acne Survival: Why am I breaking out and when is medication necessary?

Acne is a natural part of life. Almost everybody gets it and nobody likes it. Sometimes it’s hard to know why you’re breaking out and what to do to treat it. Although the cause of acne is not completely understood, there are several things that promote acne including oily skin, genetics and stress. At West Dermatology, we offer several options for the treatment of acne including topical creams, oral medication, laser treatments and blue light therapy. Some acne may be mild and doesn’t need the attention of a physician. We are here to help you figure out when medication is necessary for your acne concerns. There are a few simple questions to ask yourself when deciding if medical intervention is right for you:

1. Does my acne significantly affect my self esteem or my emotional health?

2. Does my acne leave scarring?

3. Have I had significant acne for over the span of one year?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then seeing a dermatologist may be a good plan for you. We know that acne can be embarrassing and can affect your mental and emotional state. For all of your acne concerns contact the West Dermatology office nearest you to set up an appointment.

Product Recommendations

"I would suggest the Clarisonic® brush. It is an extraordinary device that cleans up to 6 x better than normal washing by hand. It also helps medications absorb better increasing the efficacy of anti-acne or anti-wrinkle topical treatments. Also, our new West Dermatology acne line is very effective and extremely affordable. The kits can be tailored to the individual needs of the patients with varying strength benzoyl peroxide gels, washes, scrubs, toner pads, etc."

Chris Carlin, MD

Board Certified by the American Board of Dermatology

San Clemente, CA