When To Seek Professional Help For Acne: 3 Tell-Tale Signs
Acne is a relatively common skin ailment that develops when an individual’s pores become clogged with too much oil and dead skin cells. Acne can develop in any area where there are sebaceous glands and hair follicles on the skin. Acne is complex in origin — frequently including clogged hair follicles, excessive oil production, and bacterial inflammation. Hormonal imbalances may also trigger acne problems.
While acne problems are most frequently seen in teens, they may affect anybody, including adults. Thus, it can be challenging for many individuals to determine when they should seek professional help for their acne problems. In this article, we go over 3 tell-tale signs that indicate it may be time to seek professional help for your acne.
1. It does not seem to get better after using various over-the-counter treatments
In general, over-the-counter treatments and medications can be used to treat milder forms of acne on your own.
Over-the-counter spot creams and treatments typically contain either salicylic acids or benzoyl peroxide – two ingredients known for being effective in treating acne by gently exfoliating the skin to clear blocked pores and eliminating acne-causing bacteria. Mild cases of acne will usually go away after 4 to 6 weeks of using such over-the-counter treatments.
On the flip side, moderate to severe cases of acne will warrant treatments that are much stronger than what over-the-counter products can provide. Hence, if you find that your acne still does not improve or seems to be worsening after approximately 10 weeks of utilizing these treatments, it is time to consult a professional.
2. You are beginning to notice acne scars
Acne scarring is a generic phrase that may be used to describe various types of acne scars that an outbreak may leave behind. These scars are formed when there is damage to the skin’s collagen, which in turn alters the structure of the skin. Frequently, the scar grows within the dermis and at the site of the initial inflammation brought on by acne.
Unlike post-acne hyperpigmentation, which is also known as acne marks, acne scars are usually permanent and will not go away naturally with time. Thus, if you are starting to notice acne scars, you should seek professional help. A certified doctor will be able to help address issues with acne scars with procedures like dermal fillers, laser treatments and more.
3. Your acne is resurfacing in the same areas
Recurring acne pops up in the same area because the inflammation from the previous pimple is still present deep under the skin. This leaves the region susceptible to sebum build-up, which causes acne to return.
Oftentimes, recurring acne is a case of hormonal acne. In adulthood, hormonal acne can manifest as severe cysts, painful whiteheads, and blackheads. The overproduction of sebum, which clogs pores and causes pimples, is a contributing factor in hormonal acne. Even while hormonal acne is frequently inevitable, it may be professionally treated to stop new outbreaks from developing.
Overcome your acne problems with The Clifford Clinic
Instead of spending tons of money on off-the-counter acne creams, it would be a better idea to consult a professional to quickly and efficiently resolve your acne problems. No matter the cause, a certified doctor can help to identify and address the root causes of your acne issues. For one of the best acne dermatologists in Singapore, The Clifford Clinic is the company you can trust.
Our certified doctors are equipped with the professional know-how to resolve your acne problems. Whether you are looking for acne treatment in Singapore for your hormonal acne or want to eliminate your acne scars with an effective acne scar treatment, our range of reliable treatments can help you achieve a spot-free complexion.
Check out our AGNES Acne treatment for a long-lasting cure to all your acne problems. Through comprehensive research, it was discovered that recurrent adult acne was often a result of damaged pores on the face. The AGNES Acne treatment focuses on treating these problematic and damaged pores selectively, which has been found to be able to cure over 93% of inflamed and 83% of non-inflamed acne with just 3 treatments over the span of a year! Moreover, after these damaged pores were treated, for a full year following the final treatment, acne problems did not return!
You could also consider our Gold Photothermal Therapy Treatment (PTT), which treats acne at its source by modifying the pores responsible for acne problems with gold nanoparticles and a dermatology laser. Photothermal treatment (PTT) permits local therapeutic hyperthermia of the skin tissue by utilizing the dermatology laser to transform light into heat. Gold nanoparticles are used to treat acne because they produce heat when activated by a certain wavelength of light, which heats and changes the sebaceous follicles that cause acne.
And if you are looking for an acne scar removal treatment in Singapore, The Clifford Clinic offers various procedures that can be effective in treating different types of acne scars. For atrophic scars, we would recommend dermal fillers or ablative laser treatments like Edge Fractional CO2 or Secret Radiofrequency (RF) micro-needling. Or, if you are struggling with “color scars” and pigmentation, we would recommend our Q-switch and V-beam Laser treatments.
For more information or to book an appointment, do not hesitate to get in touch by dropping us a message here!