If you’ve come across this article, then you’re probably trying to figure out whether or not you should see a doctor for your acne. On one hand, it’s not a life-threatening condition. On the other hand, it’s something you would rather not have to deal with if possible.
Even though not all acne requires medical attention, getting professional help can be beneficial – even for milder cases. In this article, I’ll be teaching you everything you need to know before seeing a doctor for acne. This includes knowing when you should go to a doctor, which type of doctor to see, how to schedule an appointment, and options if you don’t have insurance.
My goal is to make this process easy for you so you can get the healthy skin you deserve! I dealt with bad acne for a decade, and the whole thing seemed hopeless until I found finally found the right doctor and treatment. Hopefully, I can help you avoid putting this off any longer. Let’s get started! 😀
Table of Contents
Why You Should See a Doctor for Acne
There are many reasons why it’s a good idea to see a doctor if you have acne.
Firstly, you’ll have an expert helping you get your acne under control. This means access to treatments that only a doctor can prescribe and a greater likelihood of seeing results more quickly. Talking to a doctor and following a customized treatment plan will also limit the amount of physical scarring and pain caused by more severe acne types
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Secondly, there are psychological benefits to having your acne treated by a doctor. You won’t have to independently search for products that might not work or even end up making your acne worse. Prescription medications tend to be more effective than over-the-counter so you can have more confidence in your treatment. And of course, clearer skin also has a positive impact on self-esteem.
When to See a Doctor for Acne
Now, you’re probably wondering if your acne warrants going to a doctor. The simple answer is this: if your acne bothers you, then you should see a doctor. Just because acne isn’t a life-threatening condition, doesn’t mean that it’s not worth getting checked out.
However, if your acne falls into any of the following categories, then you should absolutely go see a doctor:
- You have moderate to severe acne
- You have nodular and/or cystic acne
- You have adult (hormonal) acne
- Your acne is painful
- Your acne is persistent and doesn’t improve with over-the-counter medications
- Your acne is getting worse
Over-the-counter products are ineffective at treating moderate and severe (inflammatory) acne so you’ll need to see a doctor. Moderate acne types include pustules and papules, and severe acne types include nodules and cysts. These types of acne appear red and inflamed. For some helpful photo examples of each of these acne types, click here.
Adult acne, or hormonal acne, is a moderate to severe form of acne that must be treated by a professional. Only prescription-strength products are strong enough to treat adult acne. Oftentimes, a combination of prescription products are used to effectively target this type of acne. To find out if you’re dealing with adult acne, click here.
Important Takeaway: Your acne doesn’t have to be severe for you to seek medical help. In fact, treating mild acne before it has a chance to potentially get worse is a great idea because it can reduce permanent scarring and overall stress associated with acne. Remember that a doctor can be helpful for treating even mild acne. 🙂
Seeing a Primary Care Physician vs. Dermatologist for Acne
Now that we’ve established whether you should talk to a doctor, the next question is what kind of doctor you should see for your acne. There are two options: a primary care physician (PCP) or a dermatologist. A PCP is a general doctor who can treat a broad range of medical conditions. A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in treating conditions related to the skin, hair, and nails.
Additional Information: There are several types of doctors that fall under the category of primary care physician. If you’re unsure whether your doctor is a PCP, check out this article
The type of doctor you should see will depend on the severity of your acne. If you have mild to moderate acne, a PCP would be a good option, since they can prescribe topical acne treatments that are higher in strength than what you can find over-the-counter. As a note, most teenage acne can be checked out by a PCP.
However, if you have moderate to severe acne, you should seek out a dermatologist, as they are trained to handle more serious cases. Dermatologists can prescribe both topical and oral acne medications. These medications tend to be stronger than those that a PCP can prescribe, and they treat acne on a systemic level instead of a superficial one. Adult acne in particular warrants a dermatologist.
How to Schedule a Dermatologist Appointment
The process of scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist is pretty much the same as with any other type of doctor. If you need help finding a PCP or dermatologist, be sure to take a look at my “4 Steps To Find The Best Healthcare Provider (For Your Insurance)” article. In it, I take you through the four simple steps to find the right healthcare provider for your needs:
- Find an in-network provider
- Pick a provider
- Schedule an appointment
- Bring the essentials on appointment day
Important Note: Some insurance plans require a referral from a PCP in order to see a specialist so make sure to check with your insurance. If this is the case, talk to your PCP first and ask them for a referral to see a dermatologist.
Options If You Don’t Have Insurance or Don’t Have Access to a Dermatologist
There are many reasons why you might not be able to see a dermatologist the conventional way. Maybe you don’t have health insurance; maybe you live in a small town where the closest dermatology office is too far away; or maybe you can’t accommodate a visit in your schedule. Whatever the reason, don’t worry! There are other options. 😀
There are many online services that offer virtual dermatology visits that are convenient and relatively affordable. The one that I’ve used and had great success with is Apostrophe. They have a network of board-certified dermatologists for every state. All you need to do is upload pictures of your skin and provide some medical information. You can even let your dermatologist know if there are any specific acne medications that you’re interested in trying.
You’ll be connected with a dermatologist, who will prescribe a personalized treatment plan. It takes less time than a traditional appointment, and you can do at any time, in the comfort of your own home. The products are also shipped directly to you so you don’t need to drive out to a pharmacy to pick them up.
Something else that I really appreciate about Apostrophe is that they do a great job on skin education through their Instagram @hi_apostrophe and Slather articles. (No, I am not sponsored by them, but if someone from Apostrophe is reading this, I would love to be sponsored!)
Conclusion
You’ve made it to the end of the article! Hopefully now you have a better idea of what you want to do next in terms of treating your acne. It might be going to see a doctor, trying some over-the-counter products first, or just letting your skin be as it is. It’s completely up to you. The most important thing is to feel comfortable and be able to live your life without worrying too much about what your skin looks like.
If you know for sure that you want to speak with a doctor, then the next step is to head over to my “Skincare Ingredients: The Best Prescription Acne Medications” article. There, you’ll learn about all of the different prescription options available and be able to have a productive discussion with your doctor. See you there! As always, stay healthy and keep learning. 🙂