Educate yourself

Know your choices and get on to discussion boards to understand what other people have chosen for treatment for acne. Do not get into a feeling that you are alone in this situation. There are hundreds of patients with varying degrees of acne who have tried a variety of treatments. Apart from getting information from discussion boards, visit a skin specialist and get yourself diagnosed. What are the likely causes of your condition? Is it stress, hygiene or hormonal fluctuations that are the underlying cause of the problem? How much of the condition is in your control and how much do you need to depend on medicines?

Ask the right questions

Ask your doctor to set a time table along with you to ascertain where you are going wrong in your habits and what you need to incorporate in the treatment for acne. Express your concern about long term effects of medication and the possibility of addiction. Find out whether there are short treatments that can be supplemented by right diet habits and confirm that you can expect to be off medication once you have completed a course of treatment. Find out whether you can continue with existing habits like smoking and alcohol consumption. Tell the doctor your exercise routine and understand what hygiene precautions to take.

Take a second opinion

If you feel doubtful that the doctor is not forthcoming in educating you, find another doctor who can help you find a good treatment for acne. If the doctor confirms that there are long term side effects and the treatment will take time to show effect, you are running a risk with your health and must find an alternate treatment option. If you come across possible lines of treatment on the internet with claims of clearing your skin, be aware that any product you utilise must be certified by a relevant agency. The product will normally have a discussion board in which some people seem to strongly endorse the product. The endorsements could be made by the marketer from different email ids. Check for certifications of the product and check for others who may have used the product. Note the formulation and ask a doctor for a view.

Find the specialist

Who is the right specialist for you? You understand that acne demands lifestyle changes. Any treatment for acne must be considered with the day to day conditions of the patient. The patient must be taught to identify triggers that cause the onset of an eruption on the skin. A specialist who does not take the time to explain the condition and safe alternatives to the patient is not likely to be suitable in the long run.

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