Most people know that they can choose to see a dermatologist to help them deal with their acne. However, dermatologists and prescription drugs can be expensive and a hassle. With so many over the counter treatments available, how do you decide whether you need to see a dermatologist or not? Maybe you haven’t found the right face wash, or maybe you should just wait it out to see if your acne improves as you age. There is no “yes and no” line between who needs to see a dermatologist. Ultimately, the decision is a subjective one, but here are some pointers to help you determine whether it might be right for you, or whether you can handle your acne on your own.

Before Seeing a Dermatologist….

Try to handle your acne on your own:

Do you wash your face regularly (but not excessively… you could dry it out and spread the bacteria even more) with an oil-free face wash or scrub intended specifically to help fight acne? There are many, many over the counter acne treatments available. Look for products containing salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, or resorcinol—the most common acne fighting ingredients in products today. If these regular products (like Neutrogena, Clearasil, etc.) don’t seem to be working, move up to a higher end solution, such as Proactiv or other comprehensive treatments.

Don’t make your acne worse:

Avoid over-scrubbing your face (as mentioned earlier you could dry out or damage your skin further). Protect your skin from the sun, because a sun burn can dry out your skin, causing it to produce extra oil to re-lubricate itself, and slowing down its ability to heal blemishes. And most importantly: don’t pick at or pop your pimples. Popping pimples should be avoided unless it is absolutely necessary. You can cause scarring, or even force the oil back under the skin, where the irritation and infection will spread, making your acne worse.

It Might Be Time If...

If your acne seems out of control and you can’t do anything to reduce it, you might consult with a dermatologist to see if they can help, and how they propose to do so.

If your acne is taking an emotional toll. Acne can be really hard on the self esteem, so if your acne is making you depressed, even if it’s “not as bad as it could be,” it’s okay to see a doctor! You deserve to feel good about yourself. If getting professional acne treatment helps you do that, then that’s okay.

No Pressure

Remember that acne isn’t life or death. How you handle it is up to you, so if you’re more comfortable with over the counter products and don’t want to pay for doctors’ visits and prescriptions, it’s okay to say no.