When you got your first, slightly painful pimple on your lip you may have been excited. After all, it is a sign that you are getting older, although not necessarily wiser. The usual impulse is to pop the lesion as quickly as possible, as to keep it from ruining your complexion. Just as quickly as it came, acne can spiral out of control in the blink of an eye, consuming your entire face with red and inflamed lesions that are not only painful to touch, but also to look at. The effects of acne are rarely appreciated beyond a physical level. Many acne sufferers report being teased in school or otherwise harassed due to their complexion.
When Over-the-counter Products Fail, See a Dermatologist
It doesn’t help that many of the consumer products designed for the condition offer very little in terms of results. It’s no wonder people continue to switch from product to product, which all by the way happen to contain the same active ingredients, hoping that the latest one will be the answer to their problems. In the meantime, the skin care companies are lining their pockets with money. If you’re at your wits end with acne and it has gotten to a stage where it obfuscates a good amount of your face, causing both physical and mental distress, visiting a dermatologist is probably your only ticket out. There is no reason to contend with lip zits and lesions in other areas of the body when you can take advantage of your insurance coverage and see an expert.
What to Expect at Your First Dermatologist Visit
During your first appointment with a dermatologist, they will be able to determine whether you require prescription medications to combat your lesions as opposed to over-the-counter products like benzoyl peroxide. A few factors play a role in the dermatologist’s recommendations. One of these is the type of lesions you have. Are you primarily suffering from whiteheads and blackheads, or more severe forms of acne characterized by inflamed comedones on the skin? Your doctor will also consider the various products you’ve tried in the past and whether or not they’ve had any effect on your skin.
If after your appointment you are prescribed any topical creams, be sure you closely follow the dermatologist’s instructions as far as method of application and frequency of use. This is equally important for antibiotics as they can make you feel sick if not such and such time before and after a meal. Dermatologists often visit with their patients every three months for a follow-up appointment. In the meantime, let it be clear that you won’t see a drastic improvement in this period. What you should expect is a sort of purging cycle where all your existing acne will be forced to the surface of the skin. Persist with your treatment and you will see results when the time comes.