Improving My Skin
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Improving My Skin

After I started working full time, I realized that the stress wasn't doing nice things to my skin. Instead of my typical glowing appearance, I was left with splotchy, uncomfortable, pimple-ridden skin. I didn't like how it looked or felt, which is why I decided to see about visiting a dermatologist. It was amazing to see how well he cared for me after I went. He felt my skin, gave me some advice on daily cleaning, and talked with me about which medications might help. I was absolutely blown away with how much of an improvement he helped me to achieve. This blog is all about the wonders of modern day dermatology.

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Improving My Skin

How a Dermatologist Treats Acne

Phillip Lucas

Both children and adults can suffer from acne outbursts, and if over-the-counter acne solutions are not working for you it may be time to see a dermatologist. Here are some of the steps a dermatologist will go through to diagnose and cure your acne.

Determine the Severity of Acne

The first thing that your doctor will do is to determine the severity of your acne. Acne can be graded on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 being the mildest form and 4 being the most severe. The severity of your acne will determine the types of treatments you use, and the strengths of the medications that your doctor will prescribe.

Determine the Types of Acne

Another important step to diagnosing your acne is to determine the types of acne that you have. Many home acne remedies aren't successful because the patient isn't treating the right type of acne. Treatments like pore strips, astringent cleaners, and acne creams sometimes only work on a certain type of acne.

There are a few types of acne that are common, although you may have several different types of acne present. Blackheads can be seen by dark spots that appear under the skin, and these can be cause when dirt and other debris gets trapped in the pores. Another category of acne includes papules and pustules, which develop when pus collects in an infected pore. You may also have nodules and cysts, which develop when infected pores get even bigger.

Determine the Causes

There are many different causes of acne, so the treatment may be different for each person. For hormonal-related acne, you may need treatments to correct your hormonal balance. Acne that's caused by oily skin may benefit from cleansers that remove oil and impurities from your skin's surface. Sometimes, there is no clear cause for acne, and a few medications and other treatments will need to be tried.

Try Different Treatments

Finally, your dermatologist will work with you to try out different treatments that are effective for your acne. For instance, you may be prescribed a stronger acne cream than you can get over the counter. Sometimes, laser and light therapies can be useful fore reducing certain types of acne-causing bacteria on your skin. Chemical peels can be useful for treating blackheads. Since there are many different options for treating acne with a dermatologist's help, visiting a clinic like East Carolina Dermatology and Skin Surgery, PLLC can help you to effectively clear up recurring acne. 


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