Nobody likes acne. Nobody wants acne. Whether you’re a teen or adult, a long time acne sufferer or just experiencing the development of zits, pimples and all slang variations for the medically termed “acne vulgaris,” one thing is certain—you want to get rid of it as quickly as possible.

The Best Way of Treating Acne

People are willing to do nearly anything to get rid of acne. I remember struggling with acne at a couple different times in life. During the awkward teen years, then once again in my early 20s, when it was completely unexpected. I also remember some of the remedies people would suggest, or that peers were attempting to use as acne treatments: Cleaning the face with rubbing alcohol, using Q-tips and hydrogen peroxide as a follow up to a squeezing or popping—one friend even suggest the use of bleach, as a spot treatment. Needless to say, these ideas are as bad as they sound!

While it may seem that acne has waged a war upon your skin, and at times that war gets nasty and quite violent, you shouldn’t respond in kind. A gentle, yet potent treatment is the best course of action. Considering such a statement, how should acne be treated? Is it better to try over-the-counter acne treatments, or is it better to see a dermatologist?

Treating Acne: Dermatologist or Over-the-Counter

There is no definitive answer in treating acne. For many people, over-the-counter treatments are more than sufficient, and do a wonderful job of treating existing acne, as well as preventing acne in the future. For others, over-the-counter treatments seem to offer little positive effect. To get control of their acne inflammations it is necessary to consult with a dermatologist.

When choosing from available acne treatments, the first thing to consider is the severity of your acne. If it is mild to moderate, you might consider an attempt with over-the-counter products, or a quality over-the-counter acne treatment system before enlisting the help of a dermatologist. A dermatologist will more than likely prescribe a skin care regimen that is similar to an over-the-counter acne treatment system, in combination with anything else they prescribe.

Treating Severe Acne

When it comes to treating acne that is of a more severe variety, or when acne is occurring deep below the surface and is of the cystic nature, it is highly recommended to seek the medical guidance of a dermatologist. Severe acne, especially cystic (or nodular) acne can cause serious problems within the skin, including deep scars. Due to the nature of cystic acne, it cannot be treated externally. It generally calls for a more aggressive treatment prescribed by a licensed physician.

Along with prescription treatments, a dermatologist may prescribe an external cream, or suggest an over-the-counter treatment to be used as part of a skin care regimen. A skin care regimen is important in offering the skin the best opportunity to work through its natural process most efficiently. This becomes an important aspect of overall skin care, as it will help to prevent the further development of severe acne.