Acne is the most common skin condition, affecting roughly 50 million Americans every year. Although most prevalent among teens, acne can affect people of all ages–adults, children, and even babies.
Acne may be very common and seem like a trivial problem to anyone not suffering from it, but it can cause a long-term psychological impact on the sufferer themself. Seeking proper medical intervention remains the best course of action to prevent lasting damage to the person’s esteem.
But how do you know when exactly to consider going to an acne treatment center? Let’s find out.
When You Have Stubborn Acne and Don’t Know What Is Causing it
For many cases of acne—especially the stubborn or severe ones—medical intervention is required to effectively mitigate the problem.
Dermatologists specialize in diagnosing and treating the full spectrum of skin problems. Their advanced training allows them to adeptly identify and explain what is causing your acne and devise the appropriate treatment plan.
When You’ve Tried Every Product Out There but to No Avail
The market is replete with acne care products that are “all-natural” and “proven effective,” but very few of them actually deliver their promise. Many of these products only make the problem worse, especially in people who have sensitive skin. Without proper clinical diagnosis and treatment by a dermatologist, you could end up with a product that can even damage your skin.
Prescription acne medications, which have a more potent formulation than those sold over the counter, usually give better results.
When You’re Concerned That It May Leave Scars
There are two types of acne that are notorious for leaving unsightly marks: nodular and cystic.
- Cystic acne, the most serious type of acne, develops when pus-filled lesions (cysts) forms beneath your skin. Cystic acne can appear like large red boils and result from the buildup of bacteria, dry skin cells, and oil in your pores. This type of acne can leave behind hypertrophic (raised skin), icepick (having a sunken or pitted appearance), boxcar (a round-shaped depression), and rolling (indentation with sloped sides) types of scars.
- By contrast, nodular acne appears like a tiny bump that remains intact, deep under your skin. Nodular acne may be skin toned, but it can turn red when the area gets more inflamed. Unlike a regular pimple, nodular acne doesn’t have a head and is very painful to touch.
Since both cystic and nodular acne develop deep beneath your skin, OTC medications—which only work on the surface of your skin—will likely not be able to help. Ideally, you should see a dermatologist at the first sign of cystic and nodular acne, to avoid scarring.
Acne Treatment Center in Miami and Coral Gables, FL
At The Children’s Skin Center, our board-certified dermatologists pride themselves on their expertise and dedication to providing high-quality care for the full spectrum of skin conditions affecting men, women, and children. We delight in providing our patients with useful tips to help them take better care of their skin.
To learn about the treatment options that we have available for acne or to schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified dermatologists, call or text us at (305)-669-6555 today.
