Spots. Should I Go to the Doctor or Not?
At least 75% of teenagers have to deal with spots. From research we know that out of all youngsters only 7% seek professional help and 75% wait for around a year before acting. And that’s a pity, as acne often has a major impact. And the quicker you do something about it, the smaller the chance is of getting permanent scars or skin pigmentation. It is not only severe acne that can be treated but also irritated skin with occasional spots can be brought under control. If you only know how.
How does acne arise?
To summarize acne has different causes:
- Abnormal cornification of the uppermost skin cells
- An over production of sebum
- Inflammation of the skin due to the presence of bacteria
The treatment of acne will only succeed if all of the above points are dealt with at the same time. And this is also the reason why most acne treatments don’t work.
What you yourself can do
Although acne arises due to a combination of genetic make- up and hormonal imbalances, there are other factors that can aggravate it further. Stress, incorrect skincare products, too much sun and smoking all have a negative effect on acne. Meanwhile it is also a known fact that milk products and diet, which have an influence on blood glucose levels (with high quantities of carbohydrate), are connected with acne.
If you suffer from acne it is important that you use mild products on your skin. Many acne products on the market are much too harsh and make acne worse instead of helping it. Apart from this there are some special products whose ingredients are actively proven to work. Salicylic Acid is an Exfoliant that acts against cornification of the skin thereby stopping the pores from clogging. With mild acne (blackheads) this is often enough. For moderate to severe acne Benzoyl Peroxide is effective and can be bought over the counter at the chemists. Always apply a very small amount! It is especially important that you do not scrub, use drying or oily cosmetic products and squeeze the spots.
If you need more help
Sometimes the above measures are just not enough. It may then be necessary for a doctor to prescribe an oral medicine. It is also recommended, for people with skin impurities, to have regular peelings with high concentrations of Salicylic or Glycolic Acid. There are also different types of laser or light treatments which can vastly improve acne.
Regards Jetske.
(Dr. Jetske Ultee-Research Physician Cosmetic Dermatology)
Also read more here about mild cleansers and mild creams, and the blogs
‘Acne Improves in the Sun?‘ and
‘Salt Water and Acne’.