When to Seek Medical Help for Acne

Acne can be very embarrassing, and it may be difficult to tell people about the problem and how much it affects you. There are times, however, when you need to involve more people in your acne struggle. You may require professional medical help to deal with the acne issue.

A lot of acne problems can be dealt with using over-the-counter medications or with simple healthy living habits. By eating right, exercising, washing your face often, and getting plenty of sleep, you can work on your complexion and help your skin be clear and healthy.

Creams, ointments, and facial cleansers can help with the mild acne that most people experience, but what do you do if the acne is severe? What about if there is a risk of acne scars developing? You do not want that to happen, so we’ll talk about when it is best to include a doctor in the acne discussion and how you can avoid or treat acne scars.

When Acne Causes Emotional Turmoil

When some people’s acne gets really bad, they take it hard emotionally. They may feel depressed, frustrated, worried, or socially awkward. It’s normal to have these feelings from time to time regarding acne, but when the breakouts cause emotional damage, the treatment may need to be taken to the next level.

Acne can make people feel very self-conscious, and they may no longer feel like they can hang out with their friends, be around other people, go to social events or send pictures of themselves online or over the phone. These kinds of changes can be detrimental to a person’s emotional and social health. 

If acne has become socially stagnating and has caused severe emotional distress, it is time to get help beyond OTC medications and treatments. There are ways to clear up acne or make it less obvious, which can help considerably with social anxiety, fear, and worry. 

When It Gets out of Hand

If you know someone who is having trouble dealing with their acne, they may feel like they are losing control. After they deal with one breakout, another breakout occurs. This gets frustrating, and it could mean that a different treatment is required. A doctor may be able to offer helpful advice in dealing with excessive breakouts and severe acne. There may be a way to get the acne under control, but it could very well require something stronger or different than what can be purchased over the counter. 

When There Is Risk of Scarring

Risk of scarring
Image by Kjerstin Michaela Noomi Sakura Gihle Martinsen Haraldsen from Pixabay

Have you heard of acne scars? This is a severe form of acne that sticks with you, often for years. If your acne becomes irritated and the pustules bursts, they can damage the skin and leave behind unhealthy-looking scars. Those can be hard to live with, as they are a constant reminder of the acne you had. They may fade a bit over time, but they aren’t likely to just go away. That’s why it is so important that you try to prevent acne scars, if at all possible.

What kind of signs should you look for to indicate that your acne will cause scarring? Look for acne that is engorged and pus-filled. Any very large acne can easily burst and leave behind scars.

If the acne is very irritable and itchy, it may be hard to keep from scratching it. That can lead to acne scars as well, and it may be time to seek treatment then. 

To deal with acne scars, you will want to contact professionals with experience. 1Aesthetics Medical & Surgery is a good place to start. Those suffering from acne scars or at risk for scarring can get the help that they need there. 

When There Is Scarring

If scars develop from acne, then action needs to be taken immediately. Acne scars can form as small pinpricks called icepick scars. They can also be larger, more obvious scars known as boxcar scars. Both of these result in depressed areas on the skin, leaving behind unsightly dark areas.

The scars may fade over time, but they probably won’t go away entirely without some sort of treatment. You can try to treat them yourself, with over-the-counter medications and creams, but that won’t completely eliminate the worst of them.

The most effective way to deal with acne scars is to go for professional medical treatment. Medical professionals will use two proven methods to get rid of acne scars- dermabrasion and laser treatment. There may be instances where a doctor will use both methods on the same person, depending on the situation. 

If you see acne scars develop, you need to seek out professional medical help. This is not a look you want to keep for the rest of your life, and you don’t have to if you go for help as quickly as possible. 

Acne scar treatment can be slightly uncomfortable, but it is not very painful. There should be no side effects due to this procedure, and most people who undergo the treatment have their scars significantly diminished or removed entirely. 

For more information about treating acne scars, talk to an experienced aesthetician. Their work with skincare treatment and acne scar removal helps people regain their self-confidence and clear up their skin after a tough battle with acne. This is not a battle you have to fight on your own, and help is available.