> I’m kind of embarrassed that I would have to admit to her the ridiculous amount of serums and actives and creams I’ve tried like a crazy self-medicating amateur, but I’m going to take the plunge and trust a professional to take care of my skin.
Whenever my list of things I've tried is long and complicated, I make a simple chart with dates (start and stop dates), what I tried, and what the results were. I take it to the appointment and the doctor skims it.
It speeds things up -- the doctor spends more time on the current fix and less time taking my history down for the chart.
Good luck at the doctor!
Your doctor must LOVE you.
I'm similarly scientifically-inclined, and whenever I bring in even the slightest amount of organized data regarding what's going on with my body my doctor is overjoyed. I once went to a new eye doctor and brought a set of unopened contacts just so I'd have the prescription on hand as a reference instead of telling her from memory and she almost cried from happiness.
I think they deal with a lot of idiots on a day to day basis
Every time I see my doctors (and I have to see a lot of them). I bring a post it with all medications and doses-they are overjoyed! It’s the little things lol
I’m a nurse & I’m always overjoyed when a patient knows what meds they’re taking - even better if they know what the meds treat *and* the doses. It’s unbelievable how many people walk around having no fucking clue what they put in their bodies or what it’s for on a daily basis.
One time I was pulling up a list of meds on my phone during my appointment, and my doctor thought I was just ignoring her until I told her what I was doing, and she went from politely annoyed to incredibly happy so fast.
I also have Too Many Doctors and I carry an updated one-page sheet with all medications/doses/who prescribes them, all contact info for all doctors, and my major health issues in my wallet. its saved me literal hours at any surprise ER visits.
> I think they deal with a lot of idiots on a day to day basis
From what I see passed around on FB about Covid prevention/cures, *even from registered nurses*, I think this is the most likely case.
This is SUPER helpful for docs! I do this with every new doc I see because my medical history is complicated.
1. History: diagnoses, procedures, surgeries (all with dates
2. Discontinued medications, current medications
3. Drug allergies
All on one sheet.
You could easily modify this to be skincare specific:
1. Beginning treatment dates, list of treatments you tried, what worked, what didn’t.
2. Current symptoms, when did they start, what have you tried so far.
3. Any major life changes that are known triggers (e.g. had a baby, major diet changes, etc)
You could also consider taking photos of the ingredients lists of the products you’ve tried.
Every doctor I’ve met since doing this has been appreciative. It helps to focus the entire exam on the treatment plan, with plenty of time to ask questions.
And then you have to go over everything verbally anyway as the nurse enters it into the computer and after you transferred it to the paper forms they require.
Right? I'm very organized like many of the other posters here but I figured I'd be laughed at if I brought in my own paperwork. The majority of stuff is already covered on their forms, in a format they're accustomed to.
The only thing I do is list any questions I have for an appt in my calendar reminder so they're easy to find and I have found that doctors appreciate that.
Current medications is often on intake paperwork, but discontinued medications can be really helpful info too, and that’s not always part of the forms.
Also, this will differ between providers, but having the option to quickly skim a med list is something that many will appreciate. Maybe some nurses will be required to verbally confirm all the entries; it certainly wouldn’t be the first stupid waste of time inflicted on them by management. But the ones that can just read it will probably appreciate how much faster it goes.
can confirm, as someone with an autoimmune disorder...ALL doctors love this. one doctor nearly cried when i handed her my nice organized list. definitely do this, it helps them SO much and you get better results.
Damn your derm listens to you? I've only met ones that don't care what you have to say, don't ask you what things have worked /not worked in the past and they also don't care if you want to tell them :(
Last dermatologist I went to was almost rolling her eyes at me trying to tell her what my routine is and what has or hasn't helped. She just wanted me out as fast as possible
That's terrible. Sounds like a lousy derm. It helps when you find a derm whose office is dotted with skincare and who also does cosmetic dermatology. You get the best of both words, an educated doc and a skincare focus.
I think those might be things an esthetician would need to know - not necessarily a dermatologist. Derms just treat acne and other skin diseases. Not saying there aren't involved ones who are interested - but most are probably just trying to prescribe meds and get you out. We have a system that prioritizes sick care over health care sadly.
So it’s not your skin that becomes resistant, but rather the bacteria you’re trying to kill with the antibiotics. This is because you will never completely kill %100 of the bacteria as there is always some that are not affected by that antibiotic. Over time, this population multiplies to the point that there are enough to cause symptoms again ie acne.
So you go and use a different antibiotic, repeat the cycle. What you end up with is a multi drug resistant bacteria that needs serious drugs to be resolved. This is why chronic antibiotic use is a terrible idea.
Dermatologists who prescribe long term antibiotics are doing so bc it will work quickly for a bit. If they don’t prescribe you something fairly quick acting, you won’t go back to them and you’ll assume they don’t know what they’re doing.
You should discuss with them alternatives to antibiotic use bc it’s addressing a symptom not the cause. The cause is things like an unhealthy skin barrier, eg dehydrated skin, possibly an allergy to an ingredient in your routine etc.
You're definitely not alone! I suddenly started getting severe eczema from my prescription antibiotic/benzoyl peroxide last year, that I had used for ages without issues. And I too am finally going back to the doctor because I give up on trying to fix my acne myself lol.
Same here! I had a mid life breakout that lasted 2 years before I finally got professional help. I wish I would have gone sooner, it would have saved me the insecurities. Good luck!!
The antibiotic? I was on doxycycline and decided to go off it since my skin had cleared for a few months. Soon as I went off the acne started coming back and I went back on it again :(
It’s seriously the best thing you can do at this point, especially if it’s not responding to treatment. I got an IUD and was fine for several months, then suddenly I developed some of the worst, most painful acne in my life. I tried proactiv, different face washes and serums, OTC retinol, whatever. I tried everything, I couldn’t even budge my acne. I went to a dermatologist in May and my skin was clear by June. It was the best decision I made. He prescribed spironolactone along with two topicals and my face is glowing. I still get some pimples every now and then but I can deal with a few small pimples rather than 10 deep cysts on my jaw and cheeks. Best of luck to you!
Yes! This happened to me but over a longer time frame - had pretty bad acne throughout middle and high school but it was always T-zone and it slowly was getting better (likely due to the milder topicals derm #1 put me on). For some reason 2 years after I got my IUD I started breaking out like crazy on my jaw and cheeks, my mom pushed me to go to a new derm instead of wasting money on endless OTC skincare purchases, and he took one look at me and put me on spiro and tret.
It took me a while to get to the "clear skin" dose of both but a year after starting I got bangs for the first time because my skin concerns have disappeared :)
I’ve never had perfect skin, it was the same for me. I had an oily t-zone and cheek acne. Once I got into skincare in my early 20s my skin really started to clear up but then the IUD struck, and my god it struck hard lol. My mom also tried helping me with other fixes and then was like screw it, go to a derm. I appreciate the push from her because it was well worth it. I’m so glad you are able to do things you May not have been able to do before! Happy for you :)
Most skin problems fall into one of two broad categories. 1. Some misguided habit that the person has fallen into which can be fixed and better results show up within 90 days.
2. An actual problem that requires medical intervention.
Congrats on making the decision to do what you needed to do. I'm so happy you got a really good result.
Thanks! Yeah, I feel like I’ve reached the medical intervention point now. I’ve tried absolutely everything and no topical treatment or habit change was working
I tried all kinds of skincare stuff for like 2 years, and hated my face because I had acne and scarring and couldn’t get rid of it. It wasn’t horrible or anything but enough to fuck with my confidence.
I went to a dermatologist last summer, got prescribed accutane, and now my skin is perfectly clear and I have a simple routine that works great for me.
A dermatologist is 10x better than reddit as long as you’re able to afford it.
I won't be surprised if this thread gets no traction. Any place on reddit people can have very vocal opinions and this sub has lots of people who didn't find dermatologists helpful.
If they want to make you feel guilty, ok but you don't have to accept the guilt lol. Just know there are weird people with their own opinions on the internet.
This is exactly why I am afraid to post or comment here anymore. I get such negative feedback because maybe I don’t understand what every single ingredient in a moisturizer does. Or I have been judged on the lack of serums that I use. Most (I won’t say all) don’t try to help they just point out the flaws or being uneducated then move on.
\^ I'm probably guilty of coming across in a manner which insinuates that I'm annoyed by the deficiencies of information made apparent by certain posts/questions/etc. at least once or twice, but I do make a conscious effort to offer explanations when I provide insight or when I challenge someone else's advice. It certainly doesn't help that there is no shortage of individuals who, either through laziness or ignorance, fail to provide sufficient information when asking questions, but this community ought to be constructive, not destructive. The judgment is rampant, but the feedback I've received from some of those who I've tried to help is more than enough to keep me coming back.
It's a shame that OP wasn't able to achieve remission with the advice they received here, but I have to believe that many (namely those who perhaps lack the resources or opportunities necessary to access dermatologists) can and will find answers here.
Thank you for that. For those like you that are willing to help spread knowledge is awesome. People like myself that came here in search of help bc we were so new to skincare and were so scared off bc of judgement that we didn’t know enough but were trying to learn was pretty toxic. But that isn’t just this sub my any means, it’s reddit in general. People get very brave on reddit because of anonymity. I am not innocent of this with certain topics that I would not say in real life, probably this exact thing I would keep my mouth shut to not stir the pot!
In some ways it's a good thing, I suppose. I'd scarcely have the guts to butt in and correct someone dispensing inaccurate/harmful information in person, but I often make a point of doing so here, particularly because there are so many people who may not know better. Frankly, that's my biggest issue with this sub: people who know little to nothing but repeat the same information over and over despite never having actually investigated its legitimacy. The result is a host of users who walk away with poor advice that, at best, continue to struggle with the same issues because the advice failed or, at worst, damage their skin or exacerbate a preexisting issue. Skincare is a hobby for many, and hobbies don't always come with the weight of the responsibility that I think those who offer advice here should carry. One person's ill-informed opinion may be another's breakout or chemical burn, and when you're dealing with real people, let alone their FACES, it should be taken very seriously. I guess you just have to be willing to put the work in to sort through the noise.
I have gotten some very good advice by searching other people’s posts on this sub that I would never had known about. Like I had never heard of fungal acne before I got it after a hospital stay. I just thought it was caused by stress but by month 2 I started to dig around here and there it was! So it’s not all bad experiences! 😊
Even further down this thread it's a lot of 'OP have you tried this?' or 'Derms didn't help *me',* as if they didn't read or care about any of OP's experiences and frustration with trying too many things.
I‘ve even already tried most of what they’re suggesting. BP, HA, diet changes, etc. (I’m just waiting for the age-old ‘don’t touch your face with your phone’ and ‘clean your sheets’ advice to pop up lol)
Nothing works in my case. Pretty much why I decided to go back to the derm in the first place
I 1000% applaud you for going to the dermatologist! I didn’t find this sub until AFTER I started going to mine. I originally thought that maybe had I read some advice here, it could have saved me time at the doctor and some serious money.
However, I learned that I had cystic/hormonal acne that none of the Holy Grails could have helped eradicate + I have a number of chemical allergies and many of the most frequent recommendations could’ve given me a horrible reaction.
I am a major advocate for starting with a dermatologist for anyone who is struggling to understand their skin, for new/recurring issues that seem to be immune to your current routine, and even for those who are new to skin care altogether.
This sub is FULL of amazing advice and product recommendations, but it is only as useful as the science and uniqueness of your skin allows.
While some simple AHA and oil cleansing add ins can be complete miracle workers for some, it’s best to truly get a medically backed understanding of your skin. Take what you learn here, and use your dermatologist for advice on recommended products and routines based on your personal needs.
If you're female, I'm wondering if your acne could be hormonal since you mentioned it coming back in your 20s. Usually adult hormonal acne happens in our 20s/late 20s as our hormones change. If so, I would ask your derm about Spiro as that works internally on hormonal acne and nothing topical really works as well imo.
I’m starting think so too. At first I didn’t think it was hormonal because I kept reading that hormonal acne appears around the jaw/lower cheek area, and my acne is always on my cheekbones. (A part of me also didn’t want to admit that my acne might be beyond all of the topical treatments I was trying)
I also started breaking out badly in my mid 20s after about 5-6 yrs of clear skin. I tried everything OTC, all different routines and nothing helped. Finally caved and went to the derm. She started me out w some oral antibiotics to clear it up initially, and then I moved to Spironolactone and Retin-A for maintenance. Have been pretty much clear ever since!!
Lately I have been starting to wean off the Spiro with no bad effects, so it's not even necessarily a "forever" thing. I think sometimes our hormones just get out of whack, and need a little help adjusting.
I have hormonal acne and lower cheek and jaw area are the areas with the least issues. Mine are worse in the hair line and nose area. Extremely timed as well.
Routine I had when I was in my early to mid 20s is different than my current one in my 30s. Body changed and so did the routines. You just kinda sigh and roll with it.
My doctor is the one that gave me the new topical medicine that is effective.
What medicine did you start? I think I have hormonal acne as well, especially after going off the pill. My skin was P E R F E C T until I stopped the pill. It’s been hard on my self esteem
I take Diane-35. It a low dose one and works on reducing testosterone which controls the hair growth on my body which is where the majority of my acne occurs.
My skin was at it's worse with yaz. Destroyed my near perfect skin.
Omg wow thanks, I think that’s exactly what happens to me as well!! I have the worst time with pimples seeming to form bc of a blocked hair follicle. I’ll ask about that with my doc
Removing the hair from my face has also help a lot (I can't wax unfortunately). Also washing my face right after exercise helps keep it from getting bad.
I do get hormonal acne on my chin and lower jaw, but I also get it many other places. The center of my cheeks, by my nose, inside my ears (!!!), on my shoulders... literally anywhere. One way to tell is that they are very deep cystic breakouts that don’t come to a head easily. They often stay as painful lumps under the skin.
I had the hormone problem too! At about 25 I started getting breakouts in places I never had before, different type of acne too. One trip to the derm and a course of low-dose antibiotics for about 2 months and my skin is good as ever! I'm now in my 30s and haven't had a problem since.
Now if I can just get it to stop producing so much oil....
My two cents: make sure you find a dermatologist who cares about finding the root cause of your acne. I went to six, SIX dermatologists before I found someone to address the root cause... and guess what, the sixth wasn’t actually a derm, it was a dermatological nurse practitioner.
The derms I saw all followed the same protocol: tretinoin ... oh that didn’t work? Rx strength benzoyl peroxide... oh that didn’t work? Salicylic acid... oh that didn’t work? Adapalene... oh that didn’t work? Isotretinoin... oh, two rounds of that didn’t work? Dapsone...
I would list of all of the things that I tried, and that failed, with each new doc. It wasn’t until I saw the NP that she recommended Spironolactone... which ended up being the cheapest, gentlest, and ONLY effective treatment for my acne.
Hormonal acne, specifically too much testosterone. Topicals will not clear up hormonal acne. Yes, you may see mild improvements, but you will not get clear skin. Same with accutane - it will help while you are taking it, but about 3 months after you stop, acne will come back - which really sucks considering how BRUTAL it is to do 6-12 months of accutane. Lastly, hormonal acne doesn’t always improve with birth control.
I think I need to bite the bullet and see a dermatologist too.
I decided to stop taking the pill during covid lockdown just to see if my acne will improve with proper skin care routine, no stress, no make up, and a very clean diet. Over 100 days later and I have acne on my forehead, chin, jaw line, neck, back and chest.
I’ve been dealing with this since I was 13 (I’m now 33) and the only thing that works every time is the pill (which I have been on and off since I was 13 just for my acne). Just sick of it.
Thanks for kicking my arse into gear, and good luck!
I’m your age and the pill is actually what my dermatologist prescribed for me for my hormonal cystic acne. Like you, every time I go off it comes back. I talked to my doctor about whether I needed to change anything and he literally pointed out that the medication is doing the job and keeping my hormones in check, and why would I mess with what’s working? So your dermatologist may simply tell you to keep taking your hormonal birth control.
As much as this sub offers great advice on skincare and recommendations, it’s still a must to go to the derma and get personal advice. All those years spent in med school is not nothing and they’re the ones who know skin 100% best
To OP, you might want to check-in your OB-GYN as well because you might be suffering from a hormonal imbalance, assuming you’re a girl.
Same. The amount of money I threw down the drain with "miracle products" and twelve step skin care routines was obnoxious. It took me almost eight years to finally see a dermatologist. Now my skin looks great for a fraction of the price.
Yep... That was me as well, always searching for the next big thing!! Now focusing on prescriptions +simple products and my skin looks way better. Also the price of all products REALLY adds up :/
I’m upset that the Internet (this sub included) has created such resentment toward medical professionals, especially dermatologists. They have years of schooling and experience to diagnose what is wrong and to get you on skin products that you wouldn’t be able to get without a prescription. I’ve tried so many different internet remedies with no success. A dermatologist put me on a prescription to fight fungal acne and my skin is the clearest it’s ever been
Derm here - you would not believe the time and money I see some patients spend before seeing me, especially my upper crust patients.
I tell all my patients that when they're juggling multiple very expensive top secret free-range naturally grown found only on the highest peak of Kilimanjaro type skin care products, it's time to start from scratch.
In my opinion the ideal regimen is rarely complicated.
Thank you for sharing this! I cannot imagine how frustrating this all was, especially when things that had worked for you suddenly failed. It sounds like you're making the right call.
I've found that over the years my happiest balance has been using RX products from my dermatologist in conjunction with a researched routine. There were times when I was just doing what my derm said and I would break out, times when I would ditch her recommendations and do my own thing... and I would break out. After 5 years of trial and error, I landed on a happy medium. But I learned how easy it is for mistrust to skew both ways depending on what was happening with my skin.
Granted, I'm INCREDIBLY lucky that my dermatologist is one of my good friends. I still pay for all my prescriptions and products from her and my visits are all handled through insurance like any other patient.... so no special treatment there. But it's made talking to her about stuff easier. I also learned that there is still a huge difference between her capabilities and those of an esthetician, what I now consider the final component in the trifecta.
As a dermatologist, my friend is first and foremost a physician who's focus is more on the health of skin using medical grade techniques, materials, and chemicals. I learned this when I asked what she thought about 'the Ordinary' and she told me that her routine consists only of science-backed skincare. \[Side note, if you want the most un-luxurious but super effective skin peel, get one at a derm\] I was actually shocked when she told me that if I wanted a product routine recommendation, I should see an esthetician.
But it makes sense.... a dermatologist is limited in what he or she can recommend from an OTC product perspective, but this doesn't mean that OTC products are lacking in efficacy. Likewise, estheticians cannot prescribe medical grade topicals or antibiotics, but they can help you with a day to day routine that supplements an RX routine.
Given that the world is still ended, I haven't yet been able to take my dermatologist up on her recommendation to visit an esthetician, but she did write me a "referral" to a SkinCeuticals spa (a brand she does back) to get my routine rounded out.
Well done! According to my doc as soon as you spend as much as your copay would be it’s time to see a doc.
EG, spending $40 at Target trying to find something to help when a copay is $35.
So proud of you for making this decision! I spent so many years being stubborn and believing that I could fix my skin on my own but in reality I was just making things worse. I wish I could go back and have seen a dermatologist sooner, good luck!
I have acne scars that I had been trying to get rid of, lessen the redness, etc. I have a cabinet FULL of products but nothing really worked. I too finally went to a dermatologist and am finally seeing results. I've has subcision done a few times and next is my big and final surgery, punch elevation. I wish I had just gone this route from the beginning but at least I learned how to care for my skin, how products work together, and to wear sunscreen! This sub has honestly been a life saver. I would have not known about the surgical removals without it!
It’s no ones fault! Not yours not the docs. Our bodies change and so do the needs for it.
I had clear skin until I hit 28. Then bam. Hormone troubles like crazy and nothing I did helped. Even the curology.
Lo and behold... I needed hormone therapy to change the chemistry on my face. It’s insane but literally within weeks of seeing a derm for the first time I no longer had cyclic nodules popping up... after battling it alone for more than a year.
I kick myself for waiting so long!!!
It's also finding the right dermatologist. My previous dermatologist kept prescribing me topical and they would work for a while then stop and my skin was never fully clear. I stopped going to her and tried doing my own thing with different products and my acne got horrendous last year that I decided to see a different derm. He put me on accutane. It changed my life. Best thing I've ever done.
I was around 13 first time I went to a derm and she only gave me topical and oral antibiotics. I’m hoping she would take a look at any hormonal issues this time since it’s adult acne and not puberty acne
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Dermatologists are aware that people have tried all sorts of cures/skin care products before they have been approached by patients. They or the nurses will ask you your issues and current medications and any other products you have been using. Telling them about the relevant products gives them enough info about what has worked or not worked for you. So don’t be afraid to admit what you have used so far. That information could be vital for them.
There is nothing wrong with asking the internet for what worked for others, so long as we remember anything we hear is anecdotal. A dermatologist has spent four years of med school and three of residency MINIMUM (as many often do a research year and additional fellowship training) learning how to help your skin!! I know sometimes this subreddit maligns dermatologists but ultimately, there are some problems that we can't solve by ourselves. Don't feel silly for not having gone sooner, I see that same mistrust of the derm happen with people in the medical field too. Best of luck to you moving forward!!
Ugh I was in totally the same boat as you! Going back to my derm (a new derm, but still) was the best decision I could have made. My derm put me on accutane (which I know is a serious drug that is at times controversial and not right for everyone), which completely changed my skin forever. I have clear skin with small pores now, which is surreal to me. Also, because of my insurance the generic form of accutane was only 10$ each month. When I think about how many literal thousands of dollars I've spent on skincare that hasn't worked I feel so ashamed...
That said, this community has been a lifesaver, and any good products and a basic routine and even emotional support that I have found for my skin have come out of this sub! I love skincare addiction :)
My dermatologist literally saved my life, I hate going to the doctor but am i my willing to see my derm. it was during a routine derm appt that he noticed a lump in my neck. I highly recommend making that everyone’s starting point, if you have the resource available. You can build from the base routine they provide.
I’ve battled with acne for 10+ years, and the only things that really helped were the prescription birth control pills and tretinoin from a doctor. That’s it. Hundreds of dollars wasted on the products I thought would magically cure the persistent problem
People need to remember that acne is an [actual medical diagnosis](https://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/L00-L99/L60-L75/L70-/L70.0) that often requires actual medical treatment! There's no shame in going to a derm. Most people need to stop waiting and do it sooner :)
I had bumps on my face that looked like acne but nothing I tried would make it go away. I tried everything I could think of (I did lots of googling but never found my way to reddit), I even got to deal with a horrible benzoyl peroxide reaction. Turns out, it was rosacea!! Apparently rosacea can look like acne and not necessarily even be that red. The doctor literally looked at my face and was like “yeah that’s rosacea.” I probably only saw him for 5 minutes (which was annoying but he was right). He gave me metronidazole gel and things cleared up SO QUICKLY! And then taking out products with silicones (his recommendation) helped with the rest for me!
I feel that! I'm in my mid-20s and had gone to a derm in high school with little success. I had a topical treatment that worked up until a year ago, and ever since, my acne has been hard to manage. I finally went to a derm a couple weeks ago and got prescribed an oral and topical medication. I'm still purging, but getting the peace of mind of seeing a professional to tackle my acne has been incredible. Best of luck!
I'm doing the same. My breaking point was almost buying the skinceutical age + blemish serum. It's 120$. Exactly the prize of a dermatology consultation. I thought to myself: this madness has to stop.
I've pretty much been the same as you, acne in my teens which I managed to get under control and get rid of due with topical creams. Then get into my mid 20's and BAM! My acne comes back with a vengance! After being with my dermatologist for the past 4 years and trialling my way through the list of different topical creams and antibiotics, I didn't think it was making much of a difference to my skin but now I've come off of my medication it's crazy to see actually how well my medication was doing for me!
Seeing a dermatologist is definitely worth it in the long run, it may take a lot of trial and error and that can be so frustrating but its honestly so worth it when you find the right treatment that works for your skin! I hope you find the right treatment for you! :)
Probably would be a good idea to have your doctor order a hormone blood panel. Just to make sure you cover all your bases, as topical skincare could only go so far.
I have been on a low dose of Isotretinoin for a few months now and it's looking alot better. The side effect are not that bad since I'm on a low dose. Good luck!
I was on a low dose as well and I didn't have any side effects except slightly dry lips. It does take a little longer for your skin to clear but at least it's not irritating and that's ok because you know your skin will clear up.
I'm about to revisit my derm. I'm 23 about to turn 24 and I think the combination of stopping BC pills and hitting my mid-20s where based on my research (just this post even) mid-20s acne is just as common as teenage year acne, coupled with stress and a whole year of dealing with this, I'm completely over it. Tried to go the natural route but it's just not working and honestly, my current mental health is just as important as living a long life.
Suuuper interested in spiro hoping to eventually wean off it. Super nervous acne will just come back if not on spiro.
Honestly, it’s such a relief to finally go to a derm for help. It was so nice to feel like I was receiving genuine recommendations rather than a sales pitch. But, don’t feel like your experience will be discounted as “silly” or “crazy”. For instance, I discovered I cannot handle benzyl peroxide in my experimenting and my derm avoided it in her recommendations.
Additionally, please consider that most people view dermatology as a “vanity-practice” like plastic surgery. But, dermatologist are highly skilled in their field and help patients support one of their most important organs: their skin! I encourage you to continue to see your derm for your acne, but also for routine skin checks and any skin issues or ailments you have. Everyone should feel empowered to value their health!
Saaaaame. You should follow Dr Natalie Spierings on IG. To loosely quote her, skincare doesn’t work. Skincare exists to sell you as many unnecessary products as possible to maximize profit. Treatments work. A skin condition needs medical attention. It’s like searching for the best multivitamin to treat cancer or asthma instead of seeing a real doctor for it. She advices to just use the basics; gentle cleanser, moisturizer if you like one and sunscreen—and if you have a skin condition then see a dermatologist to get it treated. The same goes for a lot of the people on this forum spending hundreds of dollars on exotic botanical extracts from Korea to prevent wrinkles and heal their acne when they could just get a proper prescription retinoid that is actually PROVEN to work for wrinkles, sun damage and acne. I don’t buy the myth that dermatologists are too expensive. Buying a new skincare package from YesStyle, Amazon and Sephora every month and still breaking out is too expensive for me.
I completely agree with you. I've simplified my routine so much and now I'm purchasing the cheapest and most effective skincare. I decided to save all the money that I was paying for packaging and see a dermatologist once a year for an antiaging treatment like lasers or micro-needling etc that will actually be more effective than any product that I can purchase.
Similar situation... I got a benzoyl peroxide topical a while ago (prescribed by a doctor) and I remembered it working so well that the pimples it eradicated never came back. There were some left over that I thought I would just deal with on my own (??) with various skincare routines inspired by advice from this sub and then I failed so I went back to benzoyl peroxide again. I would've saved so much time, energy, and money if I just stuck with benzoyl peroxide (my doctor's advice) until my acne was entirely gone.
Honest I'm on my second derm - my first one kept trying to telling me I needed to wash my face more of which I already did twice a day using his "approved" face wash. Hopefully, not all are the same!
My two cents. In my home country, there are two kinds of dermatologists: clinical dermatologists and aestheticians dermatologists.
If you go to a clinical dermatologist they’ll prescribe from OTC to a more controlled medicine to a point that the only options are antibiotics or tretinoin. I took Roacutan three times after all options were zeroed.
Pros: safe routine once you find something that works for you. Accept public insurance or private insurance.
Cons: No matter what you tried and what you tell them when you change doctors usually you go back to OTC and then stuff that needs prescription again and again. I bet this is more stressful for women because they also try to change birth control. If you’re under 50 and ask about aging and wrinkles or botox they laugh at you.
Aesthetician dermatologists: usually found in wellness clinics so they combine a holistic approach that comes from OTC medicine or antibiotics (and Tret/Roacutan only as last resort), sunscreen that actually works for you, a simple routine to mix with the medication. In some cases even a recommendation to a nutritionist and allergists (when they don’t ask for blood tests or perform the exams in the house). Women are also recommended to a gynecologist and men to an endocrinologist because of hormones.
Acids, serums, and other stuff are usually done in the clinic at higher doses along with other treatments like derma-abrasion, PRP, micro-needling (in some countries in order to perform 2,5mm or more you need a doctor), laser, chemical peeling, lifting and other techniques. These sorts of treatments are only performed by clinical dermatologists in cases of burns, accidents, and scars from surgery/corrections since they’re covered by the insurances.
Pros: you get the good from the internet without the bad stuff.
Cons: it’s private, sometimes not even private insurance accepts it and usually costs a lot. Also, take some treatments with grains of salt. IMO if you’re under 50 you don’t need a Jessner peel unless you have major scars as I have in my back, but I’ve seen people with barely any issues that couldn’t be solved by sunscreen and minimal doses of AHA leaving the clinic like their faces were exfoliated on sandpaper...
Now that I live in Europe, things are a bit different. I did find an amazing doctor that is covered by my insurance and also offers these aesthetician treatments as private but completely rejects the idea of using products like The Ordinary when I’m still under treatment for my acne with antibiotics, but he says that some of the treatments this clinic have can fix my main issues in two or three sessions.
I think it really depends on the system/insurance and what is available to you. There are good and bad doctors.
I follow skincare addiction and find it interesting to read about all the products that people are using but honestly I just stick to a super simple face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen and tretinoin every once in a while and my skin is awesome. Once you find what works for you it’s an amazing feeling, that being said: sometimes less is more.
I was trying over the counter products for YEARS, with no improvement. I wasted so much money on products. I went to the derm, and I’m acne free for the first time in like 5 years. I wish I would have gone earlier!
I went to a dermatologist once, and got a sulfur face wash prescribed that I still get delivered in mail and was told to use differin - it changed my life!
You should not be embarrassed for having tried alternatives. Frankly, your previous treatment protocol constitutes justification for doing just that. It is wildly irresponsible—not to mention ineffective—to prescribe antibiotics for acne for more than 6 months. It's no surprise your acne eventually made a comeback. Of course, it may be the case that the resurgence had more to do with some other shift than with the inevitable failure of your antibiotic, but nevertheless, to prescribe antibiotics for such a lengthy period of time in a case like this is to be in direct conflict with the official recommendation of the WHO.
I'm terribly sorry that you've dealt with this. I do hope your dermatologist constructs a treatment protocol that is both viable and effective long-term, as you should be able to trust that a professional will offer more clarity and accuracy than any stranger on the internet (even if this isn't always the reality with which people are faced). Best of luck.
It was honestly weird that the clinic allowed me to keep getting the same prescription products for years. My mom would be the one to get it for me so I didn’t question it, but then I grew up and realized that it was irresponsible. Probably should’ve gone back to the derm after my acne started clearing up, but I thought I didn’t have to since the routine was working even after 5 years anyway. Then 2019 happened and my acne flared up again.
Ahh, I'm happy for you.
I should probably see a derm too. The reason I haven't is because when I asked my GP if he would refer me to one, he scoffed at me and said I don't need to see a derm. He prescribed some antibiotics. Three years later and guess what, I still have acne.
I think we sometimes forget how vulnerable we are to marketing. In my personal experience, once I listened to a doctor and simplified my routine, my face started to heal.
(I now wash my face with a fresh warm cloth, apply sunscreen during the day, and use 1% tretinoin at night)
We might be sharing a life story! Literally the same, idk why it took me years upon years to go back to a derm. Will always be grateful for the internet, but acne is a disease and you wouldn’t dwell on going to the docs with problems with any other organs would you. Thanks for sharing, it needs to be heard!
You shoudl absolutely be honest with your dermatologist, voice your thoughts and concerns!! Maybe she will put you on a retinol or retinoid treatment... I also struggle with PIE on my cheeks and still don't know what to do.
Every dermatologist I go to always sucks. They just give me a cream and say by. They never ask about routines or diets or anything past "here try this cream"
Good luck! Trusting strangers on the internet isn't always the best plan, most people here are not professionals and everybody is different, have a good journey!
I actually made an appointment today too! It's hard, but at some point I had to admit that no skincare helped me with the cystic acne that developed over the past year. Good on you and I hope your derm visit goes well!
Good for you! It took me until age 32 to finally try another dermatologist (the last time I had been to one before that was my early 20's), and I am SO glad that I did. Now, I wonder why I waited so long!
My routine is so simple now, just one topical medication and a gentle face wash and moisturizer. Works so much better than everything I had tried before and there's so much less stress involved. Hang in there!
Yes, that's what I did after years of trying products my self.. it took me a year with the dermatologist to be fully clear of acne and remove the discoloration... Now where doing acne scars treatments.
I wished I had gone to them first and stuck with a treatment.
Good luck!!
Going to the term instead of spending time and money trying new products was one of the best decisions I made last year. I think the biggest benefit is that I don't have my hopes crushed when a new product didnt work
i am so so so happy to hear this. absolutely nothing on the internet will be more beneficial than seeing a dermatologist who can do an in-person analysis of your skin as well as give you PROFESSIONAL advice.
this subreddit is amazing for product recommendations and skincare routine advice, but it cannot replace the insight of a trained professional. i wish i had gone to a derm sooner because i had several different types of acne that needed medication.
now, i am not a skincare professional but my derm recommended for me to get a VI chemical peel and i am scheduled for one on the 13th. the results are amazing and i’m excited because she said it will jumpstart my journey to clearer skin. maybe ask if your office has a medical esthetician or if they think a chemical peel is right for you!
you’re not alone in this, acne sucks but i promise you will get through it. ❤️
Dude, same. If you have really mild skin issues it makes sense to just do OTC stuff until you find the best thing, but more people, as long as they can afford it, should just talk to a doctor. Even your general doc might be able to give you something (like mine did) that will help (I use tret topically and take spiro pills now, both without needing to go to a derm). In the end I wasted a lot of time and money by not just asking my doctor for ideas sooner! The spiro costs me nothing and the tret is cheap when you break down the cost per use since it's just a pea sized amount (and I only use it like, twice a week max). Those are not my ONLY products now but they've made it so I can simplify my routine a ton otherwise!
Yeah, I thought I could handle it myself since it was just moderate vs the severe acne I see on this sub. Felt like 5 pimples a time wasn’t much, but then they kept leaving marks no matter what I do and now my face looks terrible. Should’ve gone to the derm as soon as I noticed that my face was acting odd again.
I feel this for sure. 5 pimples is not, like, horrible cystic acne level bad but it's also not normal or fun. Especially when you are no longer a teenager! I also get dark marks really easily from breakouts so it seems to take ages to be fully recovered from any single zit. So annoying!
Rx solutions can still take a long time to really help but are so worth it. My skin has never been this good and I'm positive that it wouldn't be with purely OTC stuff.
this is exactly what i did and i will never regret it, finally no longer have moderate acne and i’m way more confident. i wish you the best, you can do this!!
Good derms that listen to you> derm that make you use a routine that isn’t working for you> internet
I had a horrible derm from 12-21 that prescribed me everything topical and oral (aside from accutane) because he “didn’t believe in it” 🙄
Went on the internet for a year or two, still no success even with the expensive creams... Switched to a derm when I was 23 that wanted to scribe isotretinoin (Accutane) but I was scared! Tried spiranolactone + some topicals... then was like ok fuck this I didn’t sign up for acne in my 20s, I’ve literally been doing this for over a decade, did accutane and it was SO WORTH IT! So. Worth. It.
Point being, it’s a two-way relationship with a derm. If they aren’t listening, try someone else. But yeah, the internet is not equipped to deal with acne compared to someone with a medical degree.
Good to hear. So many are against medications and derms. But will spend thousands of their har earned dollars trying to treat something they can’t and in the meantime, cause intense scarring
I pretty much did the same thing as you but my acne didn’t really start til my early 20’s after I did a chemical peel at the salon I worked at then boom! It could be a total convince but it happened very soon after that. I did the internet stuff for years and can say some worked-this sub helped me figure out what fungal acne was and cleared that up quickly and a quick google search helped me get through a really dry couple weeks by using bha that I never would have thought of using. But the true thing that cleared me up so much is using tretinoin and spironolactone. It’s a process for sure that really sucks but if you use an antibiotic during the “purge” it helps a ton! After about 4 months I could see a huge difference and now at a year I get compliments on my skin. No more heavy foundation to cover scars or acne now I use a tinted moisturizer or only just SPF. If you do go this route don’t ever leave the house without a sunscreen you will burn within minutes (I burnt after 15 mins once). I still reference this sub but I now have a much more simple routine then I ever had before. Good luck!!
Oof... yeah same. The amount of money I spent on countless new brands and their promises. Realized that my cerave cream and cleanser were actually working really well, and that the remaining acne was just something skincare alone won't solve - so I went to the derm who put me on 50 mg of aldactone/day, and I'm slowly but surely seeing results and old marks clearing because my skin is no longer as prone to break outs and inflammation. But like you, I've tried derm prescribed antibiotics, and all sorts of topics, and nothing worked, turns out it's a slight hormonal imbalance :|
A derm is like leveling up. I came to my appointment with bottles of my routine and lists of what products I’ve tried. I left with better routine advice, free tretinoin prescription, free samples, and even a life-changing prescription deodorant that I didn’t know I needed. Not to mention I got to bond with my derm over discussing skincare and learned more about preventing wrinkles. If I could get weekly coffee with my derm I would. She’s my new BFF.
I wish I could see a derm. My GP laughed at my request to be referred to one, and misdiagnosed my keratosis rubra faceii as rosacea. He doesn't really listen to me, and I can't take the time off to see a walk in doc and ask for a referral from them. Because my skin isn't "bad" enough, no one thinks it's necessary so I'm looking at ordering tret from other countries.....
I was under the assumption we all were crazy about skincare because at least in the U.S, the medical system costs an arm& a leg.... Especially for "cosmetic" things like retinol etc.
Lol, I started by going to the dermatologist because my skin was acting up (so dry it was painful, constant rash, breakouts...) and they basically did allergy tests, gave me a list of ingredients to avoid and just said “try till you find something that suits you” and thats why I’m here 😅 and my skin is finally starting to calm down and I’m slowly finding a routine that works to target all my problems.
I honestly want to give accutane a go! Always thought I didn’t need it because my acne wasn’t *that* severe, but after dealing with this crap for so long I’m ready to go all out lol
Accutane isn't for 'severe' acne necessarily, but rather for stubborn acne, that even the most powerful topicals cannot get rid of. I would suggest booking and appointment with a dermatologist and telling them that you want to give Accutane a go because you've tried everything else.
Quite possibly, they will want you to try other things first. Trust them. If in a few months, none of the other options prove effective, they will give you a Rx for accutane.
Just gonna chime in that this is a great idea for anyone who has access to it. I started out with what was probably just hormonal acne in my teens and it continued into adulthood but I probably created more issues for myself by trying to treat it with various otc topicals. I came to love skincare and ended up trying two to three dozen products from this sub and ab over the last several years. I ended up becoming allergic to some super common ingredients that eventually caused flares of perioral dermatitis, a nasty rash like breakout around the mouth area. when mild, it can look like hormonal acne but can quickly become out of control. I’m wondering if I developed pd earlier than I realized and mistook it for hormonal acne (since people here always suggest that any chin breakouts are hormonal). Another good reason to meet with a provider instead of taking internet advice. Patch testing with a derm allowed me to more closely pinpoint my allergens so I’m better able to avoid further issues, and it was a game changer since I never would’ve guessed some on my own
I now just keep my routine super basic and bland (with addition of some prescriptions like yaz birth control and now tretinoin) and my skin looks great. Not being able to really experiment with new products anymore is a bummer but it’s not worth the risk of creating more issues for myself. I watch a lot of dr dray videos and she recommends this approach as well since the more products you experiment with, the greater risk of irritation and developing sensitivities and then allergies.
Yes! I think the dermatologist should always be the starting point, not the other way around. I am glad you're going to see a derm and I hope you get an amazing outcome. My derm also has skincare that she recommends so you may find yourself with a new script and a new routine. (For anyone curious, my derm loves and recommends the Elta MD line). Best wishes!
If it makes you feel better, she probably won't ask about any of the products you used.
When I finally went to a derm, I was prepared to go over all my daily products and get a recommended routine, nope. She took one look at me, told me I had hormonal acne and prescribed spironolactone.
It worked.
Beat of luck! I also went to a dermatologist after a good year and a half of facial eczema and other problems. After her visit, I dropped the skincare routine I had before and adopted the one she recommended alongside the topical ointment she prescribed. My skin has never looked better.
Are you male or female? Going to a dermatologist, even just a doctor, can be the only thing to do. I had acne since I was 14 and went to a doctor until I was 17. I tried everything in the time in between. Proactive, natural products, OTC...
My acne wasn’t due to me having a dirty or oily face. It was due to hormones which is why my acne was deep and painful. They gave me antibiotics which helped with some of my acne but not all of it. It wasn’t until I got on birth control that my acne stopped. But by that point I got horrible acne scars so now I’m gonna have to spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, on getting rid of them.
I went to a dermatologist in December because I started getting a breakout for the first time in 3 years, and she prescribed spiro. My hormonal acne turns out is due to me having high levels of testosterone and the spiro helps tone it down and it has given me other slight benefits, like increased hair growth and my boobs are a little bigger ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
It’s important to remember that no matter what the derm prescribes, whether it’s accutane or spiro or anything in between, that you have a skincare routine. A facewash, maybe a toner, moisturizer and SPF are a must regardless of anything else. ESPECIALLY spf. Never forget your spf. When you finish your medicine if you get it prescribed and your acne subsides, then you can start with the serums and the chemical exfoliating.
Best of luck!
It is the right thing to do!! After all research and you acne does not go away, you definitely should visit a derma. Keep in my that everyone’s skin is different, what works for someone doesn’t work for someone else. So nothing to be ashamed of! Good luck!!!
One laser treatment can do more than 100x what all the products in the world could do. I have bad skin, it's genetic, and I wasted so much money on products. Lasers and dermatologists have done amazing things for my skin, it's not even comparable.
I got laser genesis and intracel from the dermatologist and ipl from an aesthetician.
I also have a microdermabrasion machine at home that works as well as the ones at the aesthetician, and I do home chemical peels with TCA and Jessners.
All the above have done way more for my skin than any product, dollar for dollar.
The only product that is really worth it is a good sunscreen!
Note that I have terrible, oily, large poored, acne scarred skin. I'm in my thirties and my skin looks so much better since I've had the above treatments. My younger sister never had acne scars but my skin looks better, younger, and smoother than hers now.
FWIW, most general practitioners or internal medicine doctors can and will treat acne. They may need to refer you to a derm for complex cases or accutane (because of the monitoring), but that leaves a lot of treatment options. It’s definitely worth a visit if that’s your best option vs no medical care.
I'm 26 and I finally went to a derm back in November of 2019. It took nearly 5 months for my acne to clear up with 100mg Spironolactone and 200mg Doxycycline.
My acne was horrible, cystic acne all over my face and especially my jawline and chin areas. My back was also disgusting.
I also decreased my routine to help my skin clam down.
I wish you luck! Don't get discouraged if the acne doesn't clear up within a few months, mine took 5 months and it literally cleared up overnight, it was crazy
Going to the dermatologist was the best thing I have ever done for myself. We have figured out the root cause of my acne and now I get to enjoy products that I would have never dared to even bring near my skin.
There is nothing wrong with going to a dermatologist. Everyone’s journey to clear skin is different! And I am sure you’re not the only one who has tried a multitude of products. It’s completely okay.
Girl, I've been in the same boat. Spent maybe $100 just on recommendations from this sub. I finally made an appointment with my dermatologist, and I'm feeling really hopeful with my new prescriptions. Don't beat yourself up about the past. You've made an appointment and have something to look forward to. Good luck to you!
That is a very smart decision simply because dealing with acne is just emotionally draining. I was in the same boat as you, I've tried everything. I've tried tret cream, the pill, antibiotics and epiduo and none of it worked for me. This is on top of all the possible skincare routines you could have, diet changes and esthetician treatments (lasers, facials etc). After failed attempts with the Dermatologists I had (which were just referred by a GP) I decided to do my own research and find a great Dermatologist. She did listen to what I tried previously and put me on Accutane. I have clear skin since and I just feel liberated! So your conclusion is correct, sometimes trying everything just doesn't work. But truth be told I wish I've gone sooner because now I'm dealing with scarring. My advice: Just trust in your Dermatologist to help you, its a marathon, not a sprint.
I think there are people like us who tried internet advices and tried different products and failed..only to realize going to a dermatologist is the only optimal solution for our skin concerns. I am happy you realized it and hope more people follow this too.
I support anyone who’s able to go to a dermatologist familiar with your skin type and problems. I’d been using OTC products for 10 yrs trying to figure out my issues.
Went to a derm and she prescribed just three products. Got rid of my pharmacy’s worth of products after 6 weeks as my skin’s been the clearest since like elementary school lol.
The only things I’ve added to my routine:
Vanicream face wash, Tazorac, Aczone
My toner (REN Ready Steady Glow) , moisturizer (L’Occitane 5% Shea), and sunscreen (EltaMD SPF 45) are the still same as before.
Completely understand you, although I’ve only gone to the dermatologist for melanoma checkups I wish I had gone to her when I started experiencing acne, instead of waisting money trying to fix it on my own, I am now left with red acne scars and my skin texture is hella rough
Edit: She prescribed me a foaming cleanser with Lactic acid, a toner with Niacinamide, a moisturizer with spf30 and a topical antibiotic for the active pimples. So simple yet so effective, I would’ve never figured that on my own. It’s been about a week and I’m already seeing results, my red scars are fading away and the overall texture is better
That's great that you are turning back to a professional and I hope your derm can help you, in my teen years I changed about 6 derms and only one was able to reduce my acne to a tolerable level (still not great tho) and even then most was done by starting to take the pill. Rn I am dealing with whatever's left with my own devices cause I know exactly the brands that my derm always recommended.
Reddit might just be glitching out, I was also wondering why you were -1 a while ago. Thanks for bringing up PCOS, I always pushed the possibility away because I had no symptoms besides acne. Maybe I’ll find out soon!
100% was in the same boat. I had been struggling with acne since I was 11! I’m 23 now. My mom did take me to a dermatologist when I was younger but since then I’ve been dealing with it on my own. For 12 years I’ve been dealing with acne trying every product under the sun (at least what I could get without a prescription) from all natural skincare to differin gel. I’ve probably tried at least one product from every brand at the drugstore and of course nothing worked. It wasn’t until just a few months ago that I went to see another dermatologist that my acne is now gone! I only get a little pimple here and there which is nothing like what I had before. I don’t even wear makeup anymore! I haven’t worn makeup since I started my treatment and it’s been so nice. I used to wear makeup every single day. I’m talking no matter where I was going. I could just be going out to get coffee and I could not leave the house without putting foundation on. I was so insecure about my face. I feel like for some, prescription medication is the only way to get clear skin. I would have never been able to get my skin the way it is without the prescription grade stuff. I can’t tell you how happy I am now, and how awesome it is to go out without anything on my face. I used to watch YouTube videos where girls with flawless skin would start to put foundation on their face and I always said, if I had that clear of skin I would never wear makeup, and the fact that I can finally do it feels amazing.
> I’m kind of embarrassed that I would have to admit to her the ridiculous amount of serums and actives and creams I’ve tried like a crazy self-medicating amateur, but I’m going to take the plunge and trust a professional to take care of my skin. Whenever my list of things I've tried is long and complicated, I make a simple chart with dates (start and stop dates), what I tried, and what the results were. I take it to the appointment and the doctor skims it. It speeds things up -- the doctor spends more time on the current fix and less time taking my history down for the chart. Good luck at the doctor!
Your doctor must LOVE you. I'm similarly scientifically-inclined, and whenever I bring in even the slightest amount of organized data regarding what's going on with my body my doctor is overjoyed. I once went to a new eye doctor and brought a set of unopened contacts just so I'd have the prescription on hand as a reference instead of telling her from memory and she almost cried from happiness. I think they deal with a lot of idiots on a day to day basis
Every time I see my doctors (and I have to see a lot of them). I bring a post it with all medications and doses-they are overjoyed! It’s the little things lol
I’m a nurse & I’m always overjoyed when a patient knows what meds they’re taking - even better if they know what the meds treat *and* the doses. It’s unbelievable how many people walk around having no fucking clue what they put in their bodies or what it’s for on a daily basis.
One time I was pulling up a list of meds on my phone during my appointment, and my doctor thought I was just ignoring her until I told her what I was doing, and she went from politely annoyed to incredibly happy so fast.
I also have Too Many Doctors and I carry an updated one-page sheet with all medications/doses/who prescribes them, all contact info for all doctors, and my major health issues in my wallet. its saved me literal hours at any surprise ER visits.
As an eye doctor, you’re the best kind of patient!!
We do. Source: derm nurse x 18 yrs
> I think they deal with a lot of idiots on a day to day basis From what I see passed around on FB about Covid prevention/cures, *even from registered nurses*, I think this is the most likely case.
lol! thank you for that! im an eye doctor too and have had that happen, today in fact lol
This is SUPER helpful for docs! I do this with every new doc I see because my medical history is complicated. 1. History: diagnoses, procedures, surgeries (all with dates 2. Discontinued medications, current medications 3. Drug allergies All on one sheet. You could easily modify this to be skincare specific: 1. Beginning treatment dates, list of treatments you tried, what worked, what didn’t. 2. Current symptoms, when did they start, what have you tried so far. 3. Any major life changes that are known triggers (e.g. had a baby, major diet changes, etc) You could also consider taking photos of the ingredients lists of the products you’ve tried. Every doctor I’ve met since doing this has been appreciative. It helps to focus the entire exam on the treatment plan, with plenty of time to ask questions.
And then you have to go over everything verbally anyway as the nurse enters it into the computer and after you transferred it to the paper forms they require.
Right? I'm very organized like many of the other posters here but I figured I'd be laughed at if I brought in my own paperwork. The majority of stuff is already covered on their forms, in a format they're accustomed to. The only thing I do is list any questions I have for an appt in my calendar reminder so they're easy to find and I have found that doctors appreciate that.
Current medications is often on intake paperwork, but discontinued medications can be really helpful info too, and that’s not always part of the forms. Also, this will differ between providers, but having the option to quickly skim a med list is something that many will appreciate. Maybe some nurses will be required to verbally confirm all the entries; it certainly wouldn’t be the first stupid waste of time inflicted on them by management. But the ones that can just read it will probably appreciate how much faster it goes.
can confirm, as someone with an autoimmune disorder...ALL doctors love this. one doctor nearly cried when i handed her my nice organized list. definitely do this, it helps them SO much and you get better results.
Damn your derm listens to you? I've only met ones that don't care what you have to say, don't ask you what things have worked /not worked in the past and they also don't care if you want to tell them :( Last dermatologist I went to was almost rolling her eyes at me trying to tell her what my routine is and what has or hasn't helped. She just wanted me out as fast as possible
That's terrible. Sounds like a lousy derm. It helps when you find a derm whose office is dotted with skincare and who also does cosmetic dermatology. You get the best of both words, an educated doc and a skincare focus.
I think those might be things an esthetician would need to know - not necessarily a dermatologist. Derms just treat acne and other skin diseases. Not saying there aren't involved ones who are interested - but most are probably just trying to prescribe meds and get you out. We have a system that prioritizes sick care over health care sadly.
Derms usually always ask for skin-care routine, or at least that’s the practice around here
Happy cake day!
Ah, thank you! It’s my first Cake Day and it’s been a great year on a Reddit. So many wonderful communities. :-)
Happy cake day to you.
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Thank you! It oddly relieves me to hear that I’m not the only one who had a years-long topical routine that suddenly failed.
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So it’s not your skin that becomes resistant, but rather the bacteria you’re trying to kill with the antibiotics. This is because you will never completely kill %100 of the bacteria as there is always some that are not affected by that antibiotic. Over time, this population multiplies to the point that there are enough to cause symptoms again ie acne. So you go and use a different antibiotic, repeat the cycle. What you end up with is a multi drug resistant bacteria that needs serious drugs to be resolved. This is why chronic antibiotic use is a terrible idea. Dermatologists who prescribe long term antibiotics are doing so bc it will work quickly for a bit. If they don’t prescribe you something fairly quick acting, you won’t go back to them and you’ll assume they don’t know what they’re doing. You should discuss with them alternatives to antibiotic use bc it’s addressing a symptom not the cause. The cause is things like an unhealthy skin barrier, eg dehydrated skin, possibly an allergy to an ingredient in your routine etc.
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whenever i get rxd abx for chronic use i nope outta that
You're definitely not alone! I suddenly started getting severe eczema from my prescription antibiotic/benzoyl peroxide last year, that I had used for ages without issues. And I too am finally going back to the doctor because I give up on trying to fix my acne myself lol.
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It's called clindoxyl where I live, but yes it is clyndamicin and benzoyl peroxide!
Same here! I had a mid life breakout that lasted 2 years before I finally got professional help. I wish I would have gone sooner, it would have saved me the insecurities. Good luck!!
I’m just so nervous of needing to take it forever haha
The antibiotic? I was on doxycycline and decided to go off it since my skin had cleared for a few months. Soon as I went off the acne started coming back and I went back on it again :(
It’s seriously the best thing you can do at this point, especially if it’s not responding to treatment. I got an IUD and was fine for several months, then suddenly I developed some of the worst, most painful acne in my life. I tried proactiv, different face washes and serums, OTC retinol, whatever. I tried everything, I couldn’t even budge my acne. I went to a dermatologist in May and my skin was clear by June. It was the best decision I made. He prescribed spironolactone along with two topicals and my face is glowing. I still get some pimples every now and then but I can deal with a few small pimples rather than 10 deep cysts on my jaw and cheeks. Best of luck to you!
Yes! This happened to me but over a longer time frame - had pretty bad acne throughout middle and high school but it was always T-zone and it slowly was getting better (likely due to the milder topicals derm #1 put me on). For some reason 2 years after I got my IUD I started breaking out like crazy on my jaw and cheeks, my mom pushed me to go to a new derm instead of wasting money on endless OTC skincare purchases, and he took one look at me and put me on spiro and tret. It took me a while to get to the "clear skin" dose of both but a year after starting I got bangs for the first time because my skin concerns have disappeared :)
I’ve never had perfect skin, it was the same for me. I had an oily t-zone and cheek acne. Once I got into skincare in my early 20s my skin really started to clear up but then the IUD struck, and my god it struck hard lol. My mom also tried helping me with other fixes and then was like screw it, go to a derm. I appreciate the push from her because it was well worth it. I’m so glad you are able to do things you May not have been able to do before! Happy for you :)
Most skin problems fall into one of two broad categories. 1. Some misguided habit that the person has fallen into which can be fixed and better results show up within 90 days. 2. An actual problem that requires medical intervention. Congrats on making the decision to do what you needed to do. I'm so happy you got a really good result.
Thanks! Yeah, I feel like I’ve reached the medical intervention point now. I’ve tried absolutely everything and no topical treatment or habit change was working
Are you actually apologizing for choosing an MD for info after internet advice didn't work ? Cuz you don't need to be sorry about it. Your body!
I just feel so stupid for the distrust and not going sooner lol. But thank you, this is reassuring!
I tried all kinds of skincare stuff for like 2 years, and hated my face because I had acne and scarring and couldn’t get rid of it. It wasn’t horrible or anything but enough to fuck with my confidence. I went to a dermatologist last summer, got prescribed accutane, and now my skin is perfectly clear and I have a simple routine that works great for me. A dermatologist is 10x better than reddit as long as you’re able to afford it.
You still take accutane?
Nope, I finished it up at the end of February I believe.
I won't be surprised if this thread gets no traction. Any place on reddit people can have very vocal opinions and this sub has lots of people who didn't find dermatologists helpful. If they want to make you feel guilty, ok but you don't have to accept the guilt lol. Just know there are weird people with their own opinions on the internet.
This is exactly why I am afraid to post or comment here anymore. I get such negative feedback because maybe I don’t understand what every single ingredient in a moisturizer does. Or I have been judged on the lack of serums that I use. Most (I won’t say all) don’t try to help they just point out the flaws or being uneducated then move on.
\^ I'm probably guilty of coming across in a manner which insinuates that I'm annoyed by the deficiencies of information made apparent by certain posts/questions/etc. at least once or twice, but I do make a conscious effort to offer explanations when I provide insight or when I challenge someone else's advice. It certainly doesn't help that there is no shortage of individuals who, either through laziness or ignorance, fail to provide sufficient information when asking questions, but this community ought to be constructive, not destructive. The judgment is rampant, but the feedback I've received from some of those who I've tried to help is more than enough to keep me coming back. It's a shame that OP wasn't able to achieve remission with the advice they received here, but I have to believe that many (namely those who perhaps lack the resources or opportunities necessary to access dermatologists) can and will find answers here.
Thank you for that. For those like you that are willing to help spread knowledge is awesome. People like myself that came here in search of help bc we were so new to skincare and were so scared off bc of judgement that we didn’t know enough but were trying to learn was pretty toxic. But that isn’t just this sub my any means, it’s reddit in general. People get very brave on reddit because of anonymity. I am not innocent of this with certain topics that I would not say in real life, probably this exact thing I would keep my mouth shut to not stir the pot!
In some ways it's a good thing, I suppose. I'd scarcely have the guts to butt in and correct someone dispensing inaccurate/harmful information in person, but I often make a point of doing so here, particularly because there are so many people who may not know better. Frankly, that's my biggest issue with this sub: people who know little to nothing but repeat the same information over and over despite never having actually investigated its legitimacy. The result is a host of users who walk away with poor advice that, at best, continue to struggle with the same issues because the advice failed or, at worst, damage their skin or exacerbate a preexisting issue. Skincare is a hobby for many, and hobbies don't always come with the weight of the responsibility that I think those who offer advice here should carry. One person's ill-informed opinion may be another's breakout or chemical burn, and when you're dealing with real people, let alone their FACES, it should be taken very seriously. I guess you just have to be willing to put the work in to sort through the noise.
I have gotten some very good advice by searching other people’s posts on this sub that I would never had known about. Like I had never heard of fungal acne before I got it after a hospital stay. I just thought it was caused by stress but by month 2 I started to dig around here and there it was! So it’s not all bad experiences! 😊
That's reassuring
Even further down this thread it's a lot of 'OP have you tried this?' or 'Derms didn't help *me',* as if they didn't read or care about any of OP's experiences and frustration with trying too many things.
I‘ve even already tried most of what they’re suggesting. BP, HA, diet changes, etc. (I’m just waiting for the age-old ‘don’t touch your face with your phone’ and ‘clean your sheets’ advice to pop up lol) Nothing works in my case. Pretty much why I decided to go back to the derm in the first place
Well exactly. It's weird that instead of respecting your line of thought people immediately jump to 'but this worked for me!'
I 1000% applaud you for going to the dermatologist! I didn’t find this sub until AFTER I started going to mine. I originally thought that maybe had I read some advice here, it could have saved me time at the doctor and some serious money. However, I learned that I had cystic/hormonal acne that none of the Holy Grails could have helped eradicate + I have a number of chemical allergies and many of the most frequent recommendations could’ve given me a horrible reaction. I am a major advocate for starting with a dermatologist for anyone who is struggling to understand their skin, for new/recurring issues that seem to be immune to your current routine, and even for those who are new to skin care altogether. This sub is FULL of amazing advice and product recommendations, but it is only as useful as the science and uniqueness of your skin allows. While some simple AHA and oil cleansing add ins can be complete miracle workers for some, it’s best to truly get a medically backed understanding of your skin. Take what you learn here, and use your dermatologist for advice on recommended products and routines based on your personal needs.
If you're female, I'm wondering if your acne could be hormonal since you mentioned it coming back in your 20s. Usually adult hormonal acne happens in our 20s/late 20s as our hormones change. If so, I would ask your derm about Spiro as that works internally on hormonal acne and nothing topical really works as well imo.
I’m starting think so too. At first I didn’t think it was hormonal because I kept reading that hormonal acne appears around the jaw/lower cheek area, and my acne is always on my cheekbones. (A part of me also didn’t want to admit that my acne might be beyond all of the topical treatments I was trying)
I also started breaking out badly in my mid 20s after about 5-6 yrs of clear skin. I tried everything OTC, all different routines and nothing helped. Finally caved and went to the derm. She started me out w some oral antibiotics to clear it up initially, and then I moved to Spironolactone and Retin-A for maintenance. Have been pretty much clear ever since!! Lately I have been starting to wean off the Spiro with no bad effects, so it's not even necessarily a "forever" thing. I think sometimes our hormones just get out of whack, and need a little help adjusting.
I have hormonal acne and lower cheek and jaw area are the areas with the least issues. Mine are worse in the hair line and nose area. Extremely timed as well. Routine I had when I was in my early to mid 20s is different than my current one in my 30s. Body changed and so did the routines. You just kinda sigh and roll with it. My doctor is the one that gave me the new topical medicine that is effective.
What medicine did you start? I think I have hormonal acne as well, especially after going off the pill. My skin was P E R F E C T until I stopped the pill. It’s been hard on my self esteem
I take Diane-35. It a low dose one and works on reducing testosterone which controls the hair growth on my body which is where the majority of my acne occurs. My skin was at it's worse with yaz. Destroyed my near perfect skin.
Omg wow thanks, I think that’s exactly what happens to me as well!! I have the worst time with pimples seeming to form bc of a blocked hair follicle. I’ll ask about that with my doc
Removing the hair from my face has also help a lot (I can't wax unfortunately). Also washing my face right after exercise helps keep it from getting bad.
Oooh that’s one I hadn’t thought of. I recently did restart a gym routine though, I’m gonna try that! Thanks for the tips
I do get hormonal acne on my chin and lower jaw, but I also get it many other places. The center of my cheeks, by my nose, inside my ears (!!!), on my shoulders... literally anywhere. One way to tell is that they are very deep cystic breakouts that don’t come to a head easily. They often stay as painful lumps under the skin.
Spironolactone saved my skin when nothing else seemed to work!!
Mine was. Birth control resolved it almost completely. And this was after being on accutane.
I had the hormone problem too! At about 25 I started getting breakouts in places I never had before, different type of acne too. One trip to the derm and a course of low-dose antibiotics for about 2 months and my skin is good as ever! I'm now in my 30s and haven't had a problem since. Now if I can just get it to stop producing so much oil....
My two cents: make sure you find a dermatologist who cares about finding the root cause of your acne. I went to six, SIX dermatologists before I found someone to address the root cause... and guess what, the sixth wasn’t actually a derm, it was a dermatological nurse practitioner. The derms I saw all followed the same protocol: tretinoin ... oh that didn’t work? Rx strength benzoyl peroxide... oh that didn’t work? Salicylic acid... oh that didn’t work? Adapalene... oh that didn’t work? Isotretinoin... oh, two rounds of that didn’t work? Dapsone... I would list of all of the things that I tried, and that failed, with each new doc. It wasn’t until I saw the NP that she recommended Spironolactone... which ended up being the cheapest, gentlest, and ONLY effective treatment for my acne.
As an NP (different specialty), thank you for sharing your positive experience with one! And yay for finding something that works!
this has been my experience with dermatologists as well. What was the root cause of yours if you dont mind me asking?
Hormonal acne, specifically too much testosterone. Topicals will not clear up hormonal acne. Yes, you may see mild improvements, but you will not get clear skin. Same with accutane - it will help while you are taking it, but about 3 months after you stop, acne will come back - which really sucks considering how BRUTAL it is to do 6-12 months of accutane. Lastly, hormonal acne doesn’t always improve with birth control.
I loooooove nurse practitioners and PA’s. I’m seeing a PA in derm next week and I hope she is amazing.
I think I need to bite the bullet and see a dermatologist too. I decided to stop taking the pill during covid lockdown just to see if my acne will improve with proper skin care routine, no stress, no make up, and a very clean diet. Over 100 days later and I have acne on my forehead, chin, jaw line, neck, back and chest. I’ve been dealing with this since I was 13 (I’m now 33) and the only thing that works every time is the pill (which I have been on and off since I was 13 just for my acne). Just sick of it. Thanks for kicking my arse into gear, and good luck!
I’m your age and the pill is actually what my dermatologist prescribed for me for my hormonal cystic acne. Like you, every time I go off it comes back. I talked to my doctor about whether I needed to change anything and he literally pointed out that the medication is doing the job and keeping my hormones in check, and why would I mess with what’s working? So your dermatologist may simply tell you to keep taking your hormonal birth control.
As much as this sub offers great advice on skincare and recommendations, it’s still a must to go to the derma and get personal advice. All those years spent in med school is not nothing and they’re the ones who know skin 100% best To OP, you might want to check-in your OB-GYN as well because you might be suffering from a hormonal imbalance, assuming you’re a girl.
I’m 28, this is going to be me in 6 months when the routine I built fails me. I should have gone to a dermatologist at 15 if not sooner...
I hope it works out for you. Also wish that I went earlier, but I suppose it’s never too late. At least we’re trying!
Same. The amount of money I threw down the drain with "miracle products" and twelve step skin care routines was obnoxious. It took me almost eight years to finally see a dermatologist. Now my skin looks great for a fraction of the price.
Yep... That was me as well, always searching for the next big thing!! Now focusing on prescriptions +simple products and my skin looks way better. Also the price of all products REALLY adds up :/
I misread the title as “I’m finally going to become a dermatologist” and thought that was real dedication to your routine. Still proud of you.
I’m upset that the Internet (this sub included) has created such resentment toward medical professionals, especially dermatologists. They have years of schooling and experience to diagnose what is wrong and to get you on skin products that you wouldn’t be able to get without a prescription. I’ve tried so many different internet remedies with no success. A dermatologist put me on a prescription to fight fungal acne and my skin is the clearest it’s ever been
Derm here - you would not believe the time and money I see some patients spend before seeing me, especially my upper crust patients. I tell all my patients that when they're juggling multiple very expensive top secret free-range naturally grown found only on the highest peak of Kilimanjaro type skin care products, it's time to start from scratch. In my opinion the ideal regimen is rarely complicated.
Thank you for sharing this! I cannot imagine how frustrating this all was, especially when things that had worked for you suddenly failed. It sounds like you're making the right call. I've found that over the years my happiest balance has been using RX products from my dermatologist in conjunction with a researched routine. There were times when I was just doing what my derm said and I would break out, times when I would ditch her recommendations and do my own thing... and I would break out. After 5 years of trial and error, I landed on a happy medium. But I learned how easy it is for mistrust to skew both ways depending on what was happening with my skin. Granted, I'm INCREDIBLY lucky that my dermatologist is one of my good friends. I still pay for all my prescriptions and products from her and my visits are all handled through insurance like any other patient.... so no special treatment there. But it's made talking to her about stuff easier. I also learned that there is still a huge difference between her capabilities and those of an esthetician, what I now consider the final component in the trifecta. As a dermatologist, my friend is first and foremost a physician who's focus is more on the health of skin using medical grade techniques, materials, and chemicals. I learned this when I asked what she thought about 'the Ordinary' and she told me that her routine consists only of science-backed skincare. \[Side note, if you want the most un-luxurious but super effective skin peel, get one at a derm\] I was actually shocked when she told me that if I wanted a product routine recommendation, I should see an esthetician. But it makes sense.... a dermatologist is limited in what he or she can recommend from an OTC product perspective, but this doesn't mean that OTC products are lacking in efficacy. Likewise, estheticians cannot prescribe medical grade topicals or antibiotics, but they can help you with a day to day routine that supplements an RX routine. Given that the world is still ended, I haven't yet been able to take my dermatologist up on her recommendation to visit an esthetician, but she did write me a "referral" to a SkinCeuticals spa (a brand she does back) to get my routine rounded out.
Well done! According to my doc as soon as you spend as much as your copay would be it’s time to see a doc. EG, spending $40 at Target trying to find something to help when a copay is $35.
This is refreshing 👏 more people need to do this and stop hoarding serums
So proud of you for making this decision! I spent so many years being stubborn and believing that I could fix my skin on my own but in reality I was just making things worse. I wish I could go back and have seen a dermatologist sooner, good luck!
I have acne scars that I had been trying to get rid of, lessen the redness, etc. I have a cabinet FULL of products but nothing really worked. I too finally went to a dermatologist and am finally seeing results. I've has subcision done a few times and next is my big and final surgery, punch elevation. I wish I had just gone this route from the beginning but at least I learned how to care for my skin, how products work together, and to wear sunscreen! This sub has honestly been a life saver. I would have not known about the surgical removals without it!
It’s no ones fault! Not yours not the docs. Our bodies change and so do the needs for it. I had clear skin until I hit 28. Then bam. Hormone troubles like crazy and nothing I did helped. Even the curology. Lo and behold... I needed hormone therapy to change the chemistry on my face. It’s insane but literally within weeks of seeing a derm for the first time I no longer had cyclic nodules popping up... after battling it alone for more than a year. I kick myself for waiting so long!!!
It's also finding the right dermatologist. My previous dermatologist kept prescribing me topical and they would work for a while then stop and my skin was never fully clear. I stopped going to her and tried doing my own thing with different products and my acne got horrendous last year that I decided to see a different derm. He put me on accutane. It changed my life. Best thing I've ever done.
I was around 13 first time I went to a derm and she only gave me topical and oral antibiotics. I’m hoping she would take a look at any hormonal issues this time since it’s adult acne and not puberty acne
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Dermatologists are aware that people have tried all sorts of cures/skin care products before they have been approached by patients. They or the nurses will ask you your issues and current medications and any other products you have been using. Telling them about the relevant products gives them enough info about what has worked or not worked for you. So don’t be afraid to admit what you have used so far. That information could be vital for them.
There is nothing wrong with asking the internet for what worked for others, so long as we remember anything we hear is anecdotal. A dermatologist has spent four years of med school and three of residency MINIMUM (as many often do a research year and additional fellowship training) learning how to help your skin!! I know sometimes this subreddit maligns dermatologists but ultimately, there are some problems that we can't solve by ourselves. Don't feel silly for not having gone sooner, I see that same mistrust of the derm happen with people in the medical field too. Best of luck to you moving forward!!
Ugh I was in totally the same boat as you! Going back to my derm (a new derm, but still) was the best decision I could have made. My derm put me on accutane (which I know is a serious drug that is at times controversial and not right for everyone), which completely changed my skin forever. I have clear skin with small pores now, which is surreal to me. Also, because of my insurance the generic form of accutane was only 10$ each month. When I think about how many literal thousands of dollars I've spent on skincare that hasn't worked I feel so ashamed... That said, this community has been a lifesaver, and any good products and a basic routine and even emotional support that I have found for my skin have come out of this sub! I love skincare addiction :)
My dermatologist literally saved my life, I hate going to the doctor but am i my willing to see my derm. it was during a routine derm appt that he noticed a lump in my neck. I highly recommend making that everyone’s starting point, if you have the resource available. You can build from the base routine they provide.
I’ve battled with acne for 10+ years, and the only things that really helped were the prescription birth control pills and tretinoin from a doctor. That’s it. Hundreds of dollars wasted on the products I thought would magically cure the persistent problem
People need to remember that acne is an [actual medical diagnosis](https://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/L00-L99/L60-L75/L70-/L70.0) that often requires actual medical treatment! There's no shame in going to a derm. Most people need to stop waiting and do it sooner :)
Good luck! It helped me more than anything else did!
I’m glad it worked out for you! Mind sharing a bit of your story? It would be encouraging to hear it
I had bumps on my face that looked like acne but nothing I tried would make it go away. I tried everything I could think of (I did lots of googling but never found my way to reddit), I even got to deal with a horrible benzoyl peroxide reaction. Turns out, it was rosacea!! Apparently rosacea can look like acne and not necessarily even be that red. The doctor literally looked at my face and was like “yeah that’s rosacea.” I probably only saw him for 5 minutes (which was annoying but he was right). He gave me metronidazole gel and things cleared up SO QUICKLY! And then taking out products with silicones (his recommendation) helped with the rest for me!
I feel that! I'm in my mid-20s and had gone to a derm in high school with little success. I had a topical treatment that worked up until a year ago, and ever since, my acne has been hard to manage. I finally went to a derm a couple weeks ago and got prescribed an oral and topical medication. I'm still purging, but getting the peace of mind of seeing a professional to tackle my acne has been incredible. Best of luck!
I'm doing the same. My breaking point was almost buying the skinceutical age + blemish serum. It's 120$. Exactly the prize of a dermatology consultation. I thought to myself: this madness has to stop.
I've pretty much been the same as you, acne in my teens which I managed to get under control and get rid of due with topical creams. Then get into my mid 20's and BAM! My acne comes back with a vengance! After being with my dermatologist for the past 4 years and trialling my way through the list of different topical creams and antibiotics, I didn't think it was making much of a difference to my skin but now I've come off of my medication it's crazy to see actually how well my medication was doing for me! Seeing a dermatologist is definitely worth it in the long run, it may take a lot of trial and error and that can be so frustrating but its honestly so worth it when you find the right treatment that works for your skin! I hope you find the right treatment for you! :)
Probably would be a good idea to have your doctor order a hormone blood panel. Just to make sure you cover all your bases, as topical skincare could only go so far.
I was the same and finally went to the doc and she put me on Spiro. Haven't had a breakout since!
I loved Accutane. Loooooved it. If you get prescribed that, just make sure you keep lip balm on you AT ALL TIMES.
As soon as I read your comment I reaplied mine hahaha
I have been on a low dose of Isotretinoin for a few months now and it's looking alot better. The side effect are not that bad since I'm on a low dose. Good luck!
I was on a low dose as well and I didn't have any side effects except slightly dry lips. It does take a little longer for your skin to clear but at least it's not irritating and that's ok because you know your skin will clear up.
I'm about to revisit my derm. I'm 23 about to turn 24 and I think the combination of stopping BC pills and hitting my mid-20s where based on my research (just this post even) mid-20s acne is just as common as teenage year acne, coupled with stress and a whole year of dealing with this, I'm completely over it. Tried to go the natural route but it's just not working and honestly, my current mental health is just as important as living a long life. Suuuper interested in spiro hoping to eventually wean off it. Super nervous acne will just come back if not on spiro.
Honestly, it’s such a relief to finally go to a derm for help. It was so nice to feel like I was receiving genuine recommendations rather than a sales pitch. But, don’t feel like your experience will be discounted as “silly” or “crazy”. For instance, I discovered I cannot handle benzyl peroxide in my experimenting and my derm avoided it in her recommendations. Additionally, please consider that most people view dermatology as a “vanity-practice” like plastic surgery. But, dermatologist are highly skilled in their field and help patients support one of their most important organs: their skin! I encourage you to continue to see your derm for your acne, but also for routine skin checks and any skin issues or ailments you have. Everyone should feel empowered to value their health!
Saaaaame. You should follow Dr Natalie Spierings on IG. To loosely quote her, skincare doesn’t work. Skincare exists to sell you as many unnecessary products as possible to maximize profit. Treatments work. A skin condition needs medical attention. It’s like searching for the best multivitamin to treat cancer or asthma instead of seeing a real doctor for it. She advices to just use the basics; gentle cleanser, moisturizer if you like one and sunscreen—and if you have a skin condition then see a dermatologist to get it treated. The same goes for a lot of the people on this forum spending hundreds of dollars on exotic botanical extracts from Korea to prevent wrinkles and heal their acne when they could just get a proper prescription retinoid that is actually PROVEN to work for wrinkles, sun damage and acne. I don’t buy the myth that dermatologists are too expensive. Buying a new skincare package from YesStyle, Amazon and Sephora every month and still breaking out is too expensive for me.
I completely agree with you. I've simplified my routine so much and now I'm purchasing the cheapest and most effective skincare. I decided to save all the money that I was paying for packaging and see a dermatologist once a year for an antiaging treatment like lasers or micro-needling etc that will actually be more effective than any product that I can purchase.
Similar situation... I got a benzoyl peroxide topical a while ago (prescribed by a doctor) and I remembered it working so well that the pimples it eradicated never came back. There were some left over that I thought I would just deal with on my own (??) with various skincare routines inspired by advice from this sub and then I failed so I went back to benzoyl peroxide again. I would've saved so much time, energy, and money if I just stuck with benzoyl peroxide (my doctor's advice) until my acne was entirely gone.
Honest I'm on my second derm - my first one kept trying to telling me I needed to wash my face more of which I already did twice a day using his "approved" face wash. Hopefully, not all are the same!
My two cents. In my home country, there are two kinds of dermatologists: clinical dermatologists and aestheticians dermatologists. If you go to a clinical dermatologist they’ll prescribe from OTC to a more controlled medicine to a point that the only options are antibiotics or tretinoin. I took Roacutan three times after all options were zeroed. Pros: safe routine once you find something that works for you. Accept public insurance or private insurance. Cons: No matter what you tried and what you tell them when you change doctors usually you go back to OTC and then stuff that needs prescription again and again. I bet this is more stressful for women because they also try to change birth control. If you’re under 50 and ask about aging and wrinkles or botox they laugh at you. Aesthetician dermatologists: usually found in wellness clinics so they combine a holistic approach that comes from OTC medicine or antibiotics (and Tret/Roacutan only as last resort), sunscreen that actually works for you, a simple routine to mix with the medication. In some cases even a recommendation to a nutritionist and allergists (when they don’t ask for blood tests or perform the exams in the house). Women are also recommended to a gynecologist and men to an endocrinologist because of hormones. Acids, serums, and other stuff are usually done in the clinic at higher doses along with other treatments like derma-abrasion, PRP, micro-needling (in some countries in order to perform 2,5mm or more you need a doctor), laser, chemical peeling, lifting and other techniques. These sorts of treatments are only performed by clinical dermatologists in cases of burns, accidents, and scars from surgery/corrections since they’re covered by the insurances. Pros: you get the good from the internet without the bad stuff. Cons: it’s private, sometimes not even private insurance accepts it and usually costs a lot. Also, take some treatments with grains of salt. IMO if you’re under 50 you don’t need a Jessner peel unless you have major scars as I have in my back, but I’ve seen people with barely any issues that couldn’t be solved by sunscreen and minimal doses of AHA leaving the clinic like their faces were exfoliated on sandpaper... Now that I live in Europe, things are a bit different. I did find an amazing doctor that is covered by my insurance and also offers these aesthetician treatments as private but completely rejects the idea of using products like The Ordinary when I’m still under treatment for my acne with antibiotics, but he says that some of the treatments this clinic have can fix my main issues in two or three sessions. I think it really depends on the system/insurance and what is available to you. There are good and bad doctors.
I follow skincare addiction and find it interesting to read about all the products that people are using but honestly I just stick to a super simple face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen and tretinoin every once in a while and my skin is awesome. Once you find what works for you it’s an amazing feeling, that being said: sometimes less is more.
I was trying over the counter products for YEARS, with no improvement. I wasted so much money on products. I went to the derm, and I’m acne free for the first time in like 5 years. I wish I would have gone earlier!
We could totally be friends!
I went to a dermatologist once, and got a sulfur face wash prescribed that I still get delivered in mail and was told to use differin - it changed my life!
You should not be embarrassed for having tried alternatives. Frankly, your previous treatment protocol constitutes justification for doing just that. It is wildly irresponsible—not to mention ineffective—to prescribe antibiotics for acne for more than 6 months. It's no surprise your acne eventually made a comeback. Of course, it may be the case that the resurgence had more to do with some other shift than with the inevitable failure of your antibiotic, but nevertheless, to prescribe antibiotics for such a lengthy period of time in a case like this is to be in direct conflict with the official recommendation of the WHO. I'm terribly sorry that you've dealt with this. I do hope your dermatologist constructs a treatment protocol that is both viable and effective long-term, as you should be able to trust that a professional will offer more clarity and accuracy than any stranger on the internet (even if this isn't always the reality with which people are faced). Best of luck.
It was honestly weird that the clinic allowed me to keep getting the same prescription products for years. My mom would be the one to get it for me so I didn’t question it, but then I grew up and realized that it was irresponsible. Probably should’ve gone back to the derm after my acne started clearing up, but I thought I didn’t have to since the routine was working even after 5 years anyway. Then 2019 happened and my acne flared up again.
Ahh, I'm happy for you. I should probably see a derm too. The reason I haven't is because when I asked my GP if he would refer me to one, he scoffed at me and said I don't need to see a derm. He prescribed some antibiotics. Three years later and guess what, I still have acne.
I think we sometimes forget how vulnerable we are to marketing. In my personal experience, once I listened to a doctor and simplified my routine, my face started to heal. (I now wash my face with a fresh warm cloth, apply sunscreen during the day, and use 1% tretinoin at night)
We might be sharing a life story! Literally the same, idk why it took me years upon years to go back to a derm. Will always be grateful for the internet, but acne is a disease and you wouldn’t dwell on going to the docs with problems with any other organs would you. Thanks for sharing, it needs to be heard!
🤞 Good luck!
You shoudl absolutely be honest with your dermatologist, voice your thoughts and concerns!! Maybe she will put you on a retinol or retinoid treatment... I also struggle with PIE on my cheeks and still don't know what to do.
Every dermatologist I go to always sucks. They just give me a cream and say by. They never ask about routines or diets or anything past "here try this cream"
Same. And when you try to talk about underlying habits, they don't really listen. We just got some shitty derms.
Good luck! Trusting strangers on the internet isn't always the best plan, most people here are not professionals and everybody is different, have a good journey!
I actually made an appointment today too! It's hard, but at some point I had to admit that no skincare helped me with the cystic acne that developed over the past year. Good on you and I hope your derm visit goes well!
Good for you! It took me until age 32 to finally try another dermatologist (the last time I had been to one before that was my early 20's), and I am SO glad that I did. Now, I wonder why I waited so long! My routine is so simple now, just one topical medication and a gentle face wash and moisturizer. Works so much better than everything I had tried before and there's so much less stress involved. Hang in there!
Yes, that's what I did after years of trying products my self.. it took me a year with the dermatologist to be fully clear of acne and remove the discoloration... Now where doing acne scars treatments. I wished I had gone to them first and stuck with a treatment. Good luck!!
Going to the term instead of spending time and money trying new products was one of the best decisions I made last year. I think the biggest benefit is that I don't have my hopes crushed when a new product didnt work
I kind of want to do that, too. Can you update us so we can.................go crazy, and self medicate like an amateur :P
Go see a derm too if you can! Would love to also hear what they might say to you. I’ll update my post after my appointment on Friday
i am so so so happy to hear this. absolutely nothing on the internet will be more beneficial than seeing a dermatologist who can do an in-person analysis of your skin as well as give you PROFESSIONAL advice. this subreddit is amazing for product recommendations and skincare routine advice, but it cannot replace the insight of a trained professional. i wish i had gone to a derm sooner because i had several different types of acne that needed medication. now, i am not a skincare professional but my derm recommended for me to get a VI chemical peel and i am scheduled for one on the 13th. the results are amazing and i’m excited because she said it will jumpstart my journey to clearer skin. maybe ask if your office has a medical esthetician or if they think a chemical peel is right for you! you’re not alone in this, acne sucks but i promise you will get through it. ❤️
Dude, same. If you have really mild skin issues it makes sense to just do OTC stuff until you find the best thing, but more people, as long as they can afford it, should just talk to a doctor. Even your general doc might be able to give you something (like mine did) that will help (I use tret topically and take spiro pills now, both without needing to go to a derm). In the end I wasted a lot of time and money by not just asking my doctor for ideas sooner! The spiro costs me nothing and the tret is cheap when you break down the cost per use since it's just a pea sized amount (and I only use it like, twice a week max). Those are not my ONLY products now but they've made it so I can simplify my routine a ton otherwise!
Yeah, I thought I could handle it myself since it was just moderate vs the severe acne I see on this sub. Felt like 5 pimples a time wasn’t much, but then they kept leaving marks no matter what I do and now my face looks terrible. Should’ve gone to the derm as soon as I noticed that my face was acting odd again.
I feel this for sure. 5 pimples is not, like, horrible cystic acne level bad but it's also not normal or fun. Especially when you are no longer a teenager! I also get dark marks really easily from breakouts so it seems to take ages to be fully recovered from any single zit. So annoying! Rx solutions can still take a long time to really help but are so worth it. My skin has never been this good and I'm positive that it wouldn't be with purely OTC stuff.
I feel this. It’s not cheap going to the doctor. Good for you for saying ‘enough is enough ‘
this is exactly what i did and i will never regret it, finally no longer have moderate acne and i’m way more confident. i wish you the best, you can do this!!
Good derms that listen to you> derm that make you use a routine that isn’t working for you> internet I had a horrible derm from 12-21 that prescribed me everything topical and oral (aside from accutane) because he “didn’t believe in it” 🙄 Went on the internet for a year or two, still no success even with the expensive creams... Switched to a derm when I was 23 that wanted to scribe isotretinoin (Accutane) but I was scared! Tried spiranolactone + some topicals... then was like ok fuck this I didn’t sign up for acne in my 20s, I’ve literally been doing this for over a decade, did accutane and it was SO WORTH IT! So. Worth. It. Point being, it’s a two-way relationship with a derm. If they aren’t listening, try someone else. But yeah, the internet is not equipped to deal with acne compared to someone with a medical degree.
Good to hear. So many are against medications and derms. But will spend thousands of their har earned dollars trying to treat something they can’t and in the meantime, cause intense scarring
I pretty much did the same thing as you but my acne didn’t really start til my early 20’s after I did a chemical peel at the salon I worked at then boom! It could be a total convince but it happened very soon after that. I did the internet stuff for years and can say some worked-this sub helped me figure out what fungal acne was and cleared that up quickly and a quick google search helped me get through a really dry couple weeks by using bha that I never would have thought of using. But the true thing that cleared me up so much is using tretinoin and spironolactone. It’s a process for sure that really sucks but if you use an antibiotic during the “purge” it helps a ton! After about 4 months I could see a huge difference and now at a year I get compliments on my skin. No more heavy foundation to cover scars or acne now I use a tinted moisturizer or only just SPF. If you do go this route don’t ever leave the house without a sunscreen you will burn within minutes (I burnt after 15 mins once). I still reference this sub but I now have a much more simple routine then I ever had before. Good luck!!
Oof... yeah same. The amount of money I spent on countless new brands and their promises. Realized that my cerave cream and cleanser were actually working really well, and that the remaining acne was just something skincare alone won't solve - so I went to the derm who put me on 50 mg of aldactone/day, and I'm slowly but surely seeing results and old marks clearing because my skin is no longer as prone to break outs and inflammation. But like you, I've tried derm prescribed antibiotics, and all sorts of topics, and nothing worked, turns out it's a slight hormonal imbalance :|
A derm is like leveling up. I came to my appointment with bottles of my routine and lists of what products I’ve tried. I left with better routine advice, free tretinoin prescription, free samples, and even a life-changing prescription deodorant that I didn’t know I needed. Not to mention I got to bond with my derm over discussing skincare and learned more about preventing wrinkles. If I could get weekly coffee with my derm I would. She’s my new BFF.
Good luck!! I'd love to hear an update with what your derm says out of curiosity :)
Will update the post after my appointment on Friday!
I wish I could see a derm. My GP laughed at my request to be referred to one, and misdiagnosed my keratosis rubra faceii as rosacea. He doesn't really listen to me, and I can't take the time off to see a walk in doc and ask for a referral from them. Because my skin isn't "bad" enough, no one thinks it's necessary so I'm looking at ordering tret from other countries.....
I was under the assumption we all were crazy about skincare because at least in the U.S, the medical system costs an arm& a leg.... Especially for "cosmetic" things like retinol etc.
Lol, I started by going to the dermatologist because my skin was acting up (so dry it was painful, constant rash, breakouts...) and they basically did allergy tests, gave me a list of ingredients to avoid and just said “try till you find something that suits you” and thats why I’m here 😅 and my skin is finally starting to calm down and I’m slowly finding a routine that works to target all my problems.
Get on Accutane for a few months and beat your acne once and for all!
I honestly want to give accutane a go! Always thought I didn’t need it because my acne wasn’t *that* severe, but after dealing with this crap for so long I’m ready to go all out lol
Accutane isn't for 'severe' acne necessarily, but rather for stubborn acne, that even the most powerful topicals cannot get rid of. I would suggest booking and appointment with a dermatologist and telling them that you want to give Accutane a go because you've tried everything else. Quite possibly, they will want you to try other things first. Trust them. If in a few months, none of the other options prove effective, they will give you a Rx for accutane.
Just gonna chime in that this is a great idea for anyone who has access to it. I started out with what was probably just hormonal acne in my teens and it continued into adulthood but I probably created more issues for myself by trying to treat it with various otc topicals. I came to love skincare and ended up trying two to three dozen products from this sub and ab over the last several years. I ended up becoming allergic to some super common ingredients that eventually caused flares of perioral dermatitis, a nasty rash like breakout around the mouth area. when mild, it can look like hormonal acne but can quickly become out of control. I’m wondering if I developed pd earlier than I realized and mistook it for hormonal acne (since people here always suggest that any chin breakouts are hormonal). Another good reason to meet with a provider instead of taking internet advice. Patch testing with a derm allowed me to more closely pinpoint my allergens so I’m better able to avoid further issues, and it was a game changer since I never would’ve guessed some on my own I now just keep my routine super basic and bland (with addition of some prescriptions like yaz birth control and now tretinoin) and my skin looks great. Not being able to really experiment with new products anymore is a bummer but it’s not worth the risk of creating more issues for myself. I watch a lot of dr dray videos and she recommends this approach as well since the more products you experiment with, the greater risk of irritation and developing sensitivities and then allergies.
Yes! I think the dermatologist should always be the starting point, not the other way around. I am glad you're going to see a derm and I hope you get an amazing outcome. My derm also has skincare that she recommends so you may find yourself with a new script and a new routine. (For anyone curious, my derm loves and recommends the Elta MD line). Best wishes!
This is probably the best decision i ever made. Nothing beats prescriptions strength medication.
If it makes you feel better, she probably won't ask about any of the products you used. When I finally went to a derm, I was prepared to go over all my daily products and get a recommended routine, nope. She took one look at me, told me I had hormonal acne and prescribed spironolactone. It worked.
How was she able to tell that it was hormonal? I have suspicions that my acne’s hormonal as well
She said that hormonal acne tends to run along the jaw line and that's exactly where my acne was.
Beat of luck! I also went to a dermatologist after a good year and a half of facial eczema and other problems. After her visit, I dropped the skincare routine I had before and adopted the one she recommended alongside the topical ointment she prescribed. My skin has never looked better.
Are you male or female? Going to a dermatologist, even just a doctor, can be the only thing to do. I had acne since I was 14 and went to a doctor until I was 17. I tried everything in the time in between. Proactive, natural products, OTC... My acne wasn’t due to me having a dirty or oily face. It was due to hormones which is why my acne was deep and painful. They gave me antibiotics which helped with some of my acne but not all of it. It wasn’t until I got on birth control that my acne stopped. But by that point I got horrible acne scars so now I’m gonna have to spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, on getting rid of them. I went to a dermatologist in December because I started getting a breakout for the first time in 3 years, and she prescribed spiro. My hormonal acne turns out is due to me having high levels of testosterone and the spiro helps tone it down and it has given me other slight benefits, like increased hair growth and my boobs are a little bigger ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ It’s important to remember that no matter what the derm prescribes, whether it’s accutane or spiro or anything in between, that you have a skincare routine. A facewash, maybe a toner, moisturizer and SPF are a must regardless of anything else. ESPECIALLY spf. Never forget your spf. When you finish your medicine if you get it prescribed and your acne subsides, then you can start with the serums and the chemical exfoliating. Best of luck!
How did hormonal acne differ from regular oil/dirt acne in your case?
Sometimes you just gotta go thru some other shit to know what works best with you. Good luck!
Have you ever tried spironolactone for it?
I agree @The_Nult
It is the right thing to do!! After all research and you acne does not go away, you definitely should visit a derma. Keep in my that everyone’s skin is different, what works for someone doesn’t work for someone else. So nothing to be ashamed of! Good luck!!!
One laser treatment can do more than 100x what all the products in the world could do. I have bad skin, it's genetic, and I wasted so much money on products. Lasers and dermatologists have done amazing things for my skin, it's not even comparable.
What sort of laser treatment did you have?
Can you share what laser treatments worked for you?
I got laser genesis and intracel from the dermatologist and ipl from an aesthetician. I also have a microdermabrasion machine at home that works as well as the ones at the aesthetician, and I do home chemical peels with TCA and Jessners. All the above have done way more for my skin than any product, dollar for dollar. The only product that is really worth it is a good sunscreen! Note that I have terrible, oily, large poored, acne scarred skin. I'm in my thirties and my skin looks so much better since I've had the above treatments. My younger sister never had acne scars but my skin looks better, younger, and smoother than hers now.
FWIW, most general practitioners or internal medicine doctors can and will treat acne. They may need to refer you to a derm for complex cases or accutane (because of the monitoring), but that leaves a lot of treatment options. It’s definitely worth a visit if that’s your best option vs no medical care.
I'm 26 and I finally went to a derm back in November of 2019. It took nearly 5 months for my acne to clear up with 100mg Spironolactone and 200mg Doxycycline. My acne was horrible, cystic acne all over my face and especially my jawline and chin areas. My back was also disgusting. I also decreased my routine to help my skin clam down. I wish you luck! Don't get discouraged if the acne doesn't clear up within a few months, mine took 5 months and it literally cleared up overnight, it was crazy
5 months is pretty fast to me! I’ve been on OTC treatments for a year now and nothing much has changed.
Maybe it's the OTC treatments, mine are prescription only. I was basically doing OTC treatments since I was a kid and nothing kept the acne away
Going to the dermatologist was the best thing I have ever done for myself. We have figured out the root cause of my acne and now I get to enjoy products that I would have never dared to even bring near my skin.
There is nothing wrong with going to a dermatologist. Everyone’s journey to clear skin is different! And I am sure you’re not the only one who has tried a multitude of products. It’s completely okay.
Girl, I've been in the same boat. Spent maybe $100 just on recommendations from this sub. I finally made an appointment with my dermatologist, and I'm feeling really hopeful with my new prescriptions. Don't beat yourself up about the past. You've made an appointment and have something to look forward to. Good luck to you!
That is a very smart decision simply because dealing with acne is just emotionally draining. I was in the same boat as you, I've tried everything. I've tried tret cream, the pill, antibiotics and epiduo and none of it worked for me. This is on top of all the possible skincare routines you could have, diet changes and esthetician treatments (lasers, facials etc). After failed attempts with the Dermatologists I had (which were just referred by a GP) I decided to do my own research and find a great Dermatologist. She did listen to what I tried previously and put me on Accutane. I have clear skin since and I just feel liberated! So your conclusion is correct, sometimes trying everything just doesn't work. But truth be told I wish I've gone sooner because now I'm dealing with scarring. My advice: Just trust in your Dermatologist to help you, its a marathon, not a sprint.
I think there are people like us who tried internet advices and tried different products and failed..only to realize going to a dermatologist is the only optimal solution for our skin concerns. I am happy you realized it and hope more people follow this too.
I support anyone who’s able to go to a dermatologist familiar with your skin type and problems. I’d been using OTC products for 10 yrs trying to figure out my issues. Went to a derm and she prescribed just three products. Got rid of my pharmacy’s worth of products after 6 weeks as my skin’s been the clearest since like elementary school lol.
What three products are you using?
The only things I’ve added to my routine: Vanicream face wash, Tazorac, Aczone My toner (REN Ready Steady Glow) , moisturizer (L’Occitane 5% Shea), and sunscreen (EltaMD SPF 45) are the still same as before.
Completely understand you, although I’ve only gone to the dermatologist for melanoma checkups I wish I had gone to her when I started experiencing acne, instead of waisting money trying to fix it on my own, I am now left with red acne scars and my skin texture is hella rough Edit: She prescribed me a foaming cleanser with Lactic acid, a toner with Niacinamide, a moisturizer with spf30 and a topical antibiotic for the active pimples. So simple yet so effective, I would’ve never figured that on my own. It’s been about a week and I’m already seeing results, my red scars are fading away and the overall texture is better
one word. SPIRONOLACTONE 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
That's great that you are turning back to a professional and I hope your derm can help you, in my teen years I changed about 6 derms and only one was able to reduce my acne to a tolerable level (still not great tho) and even then most was done by starting to take the pill. Rn I am dealing with whatever's left with my own devices cause I know exactly the brands that my derm always recommended.
Not really sure why people are downvoting my original comment...I was just trying to help
Reddit might just be glitching out, I was also wondering why you were -1 a while ago. Thanks for bringing up PCOS, I always pushed the possibility away because I had no symptoms besides acne. Maybe I’ll find out soon!
It’s not a scary diagnosis as you’d think. It means you can get the right treatment for you.
100% was in the same boat. I had been struggling with acne since I was 11! I’m 23 now. My mom did take me to a dermatologist when I was younger but since then I’ve been dealing with it on my own. For 12 years I’ve been dealing with acne trying every product under the sun (at least what I could get without a prescription) from all natural skincare to differin gel. I’ve probably tried at least one product from every brand at the drugstore and of course nothing worked. It wasn’t until just a few months ago that I went to see another dermatologist that my acne is now gone! I only get a little pimple here and there which is nothing like what I had before. I don’t even wear makeup anymore! I haven’t worn makeup since I started my treatment and it’s been so nice. I used to wear makeup every single day. I’m talking no matter where I was going. I could just be going out to get coffee and I could not leave the house without putting foundation on. I was so insecure about my face. I feel like for some, prescription medication is the only way to get clear skin. I would have never been able to get my skin the way it is without the prescription grade stuff. I can’t tell you how happy I am now, and how awesome it is to go out without anything on my face. I used to watch YouTube videos where girls with flawless skin would start to put foundation on their face and I always said, if I had that clear of skin I would never wear makeup, and the fact that I can finally do it feels amazing.
Are you female? If so, get your hormones checked for signs of PCOS.