[ACNE] I'm a med student with a 14-year history of cystic acne: Here's what to ask your derm

Beauty Tips For Body Care
I'm 26. It has taken me 14 f*ing years to figure out how to deal with my acne. Is it gone completely? No. Did I make a million missteps guided by manipulative marketing, overwhelmed doctors, desperation, and hating my self image? YES. I'm tired of seeing patients who struggle with esteem issues as a result of persistent acne get shitty advice from docs and marketing alike. Here's my objective, unofficial guide on what the hell to do when you have acne and nothing seems to work. (I'm an allopathic med student in the US and therefore, I'll be the first to admit that I have a bias toward allopathic treatment for the management of acne)If you are using any scrub by St. Ives, burn it and bury the ashes in your enemy's front yard.Set up an appointment with a dermatologist. Not your friend's mom, not your favorite skincare addiction subreddit contributor, not curology\, but a board-certified dermatologist. If you need to meet with them online, go for it, but make sure they can see your acne afflicted area clearly. (\I'm not trying to hate on curology because they employ APPs. I simply despise their model, and I believe it swindles people out of their money for a less-than sample sized amount of product that's 25 freaking dollars/ month)Even if the derm doesn't ask, absolutely mention: A. how long you have had the acne, B. if it is at its worst/ best in the current state, and C. What you have tried and how that has progressed D. What other meds you're on esp. if you are someone with an IUD, taking birth control, spironolactone, or who is on testosterone, AND/ OR if you have diagnosed PCOSAt this point they may offer you a variety of prescriptions: READ THE REST OF THIS EVEN IF YOU HAVENT READ THE ABOVEIf they offer you something topical (cream, gel, serum)- Ask these in the following in this order: How long do I need to use the product before I will see an effect? Will I experience irritation, or worsening acne before I see improvement? and finally- What does my skincare routine need to look like while on this medication? What happens if this doesn't work?If they offer you an oral pill (doxycycline, accutane, birth control, spironolactone)- Ask these in the following in this order: Will I be nauseous on this medication? Why do you recommend this medication as opposed to others? What does my skincare routine need to look like on this medication? What happens if this doesn't work? How often will I need to come into the clinic while on this pill? Will I experience irritation, or worsening acne before I see improvement?Make sure you schedule a follow-up appointment. I look back on so many derm appointments in which I was left with a bottle of tretinoin, and a face full of irritation and new cystic ance that I was never warned about. DO NOT end your appointment feeling confused or unsure- ask literally every question you need to in addition to the above.GO GET YOU SOME ACCURATE HEALTH INFORMATION AND STICK WITH WHATEVER THE HELL YOUR DERM PRESCRIBES. DONT GIVE UP ON TREATMENT EARLY BECAUSE YOU ARE CONFUSED OR CONFLICTED. GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED!TL;DR- I wrote out wtf to ask your derm if you have acne and want treatment.peace.
Girls Blog 2015
Submitted by notvikasini