What’s the Best Way to Treat Acne?
By Elizabeth Goldberg | Published on March 9, 2011 | 0 Comments
An acne problem, no matter what your age, can impact your social life, damage your self esteem, and leave behind unsightly permanent scars. According to Elizabeth Goldberg, MD, of Urban Dermatology, acne is a difficult but largely treatable condition. Dr. Goldberg, a dermatologist in Soho, NYC, says that while controlling acne can certainly be an ongoing battle, there are a number of treatments available now that can be extremely helpful. Here, she explains how she approaches treatment for a patient with acne.
A Personalized Approach
Dr. Goldberg says that treating acne requires a patient-specific approach. What works for one person will not necessarily work for another. Acne isn’t a simple condition. There are many different types, and severity varies widely from person to person. While some acne patients experience only small whiteheads and blackheads, others deal with very large, inflamed cysts.
“The first thing to do when dealing with an acne patient is to evaluate what kind of acne the person has, how severe it is, and whether or not there are external factors causing it,” Dr. Goldberg explains. All of these issues will factor into the treatment approach that should ultimately provide the best results for the patient.
Lifestyle Changes
Patients are often surprised to discover that external factors such as food sensitivities, chemicals or hormones can significantly contribute to or even cause an acne problem. Sometimes, treating a patient’s acne involves little more than simple lifestyle changes designed to remove or mitigate those external factors.
Dr. Goldberg often counsels patients about, for example, which skin care products are known to cause breakouts, and what they can choose instead. In cases where diet may be contributing to an acne problem, she may ask a patient to try cutting back on certain foods to see if the situation improves. “For instance, cutting out or reducing dairy has been shown to improve acne in many people,” she explains. “Eliminating simple sugars can also help.”
Medications
When lifestyle changes alone aren’t sufficient, medications can also be quite effective for controlling acne. There are several topical treatments available (those that are applied to the skin), and there are also a number of oral medications that can be used in more severe cases.
As with any prescription medication, one must always weigh the risks of side effects against the potential benefit to the patient. Naturally, a patient’s medical history must be taken into account, particularly when considering oral treatments for acne. Some medications are not appropriate, for example, for individuals with bowel disease or certain conditions. Other patients may be sensitive to oral antibiotics, another common approach to more serious acne.
Patience
It’s important for acne patients to remember that successfully treating their skin condition may take some time. “Nothing happens overnight,” says Dr. Goldberg. “There is a certain amount of patience we have to have in order to find out if a particular treatment is working.”
Keep in mind also that because there are so many treatment options available, there’s no reason to become discouraged if one treatment doesn’t provide the results you’re hoping for. It may take some trial and error, Dr. Goldberg says, but in most cases, even the most severe acne cases can be improved significantly through medical intervention, allowing patients to regain their confidence and feel more comfortable, literally, in their skin.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.