What to Expect at Your First Dermatologist Appointment for Acne

If you’re one of the 50 million people in the United States who struggles with acne — and you’re not seeing results at home — it may be time to make a dermatologist appointment for acne.

How Can a Dermatologist Help with Acne?

Consulting a dermatologist about your acne can help you resolve your breakouts faster and more safely. Mixing and matching products on your own without knowing the effects is a common misstep before seeking help.

Acne is a medical condition so seeing a trained medical professional who can diagnose the type of acne you have and create a customized plan makes a big difference in outcome. “This will result in a better chance of improving the condition with a holistic approach instead of trial and error with over-the-counter products,” advises Kendra Joseph, PA-C, at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.

Tips for a Successful Appointment

Taking the leap from experimenting with over-the-counter products at home to making an appointment to see a professional can feel daunting. Even more difficult is the hit your confidence takes every time your acne returns. To make the most of the time you have with your dermatologist, keep these tips in mind:

Know your goals for the appointment. Do you want to get questions answered, a treatment plan developed or something else?
Bring a detailed medical history, pertinent medical records and test results that might be helpful.
Bring a list of all medications and supplements you are taking currently.
Note products you have used, foods you have eaten or things you have done that seem to be correlated with an acne breakout.
Take pictures of your breakouts on a biweekly basis, which will be helpful in showing the full range of your flare-ups.
Be honest with yourself and your provider about your symptoms and habits. The more information your dermatologist has, the better the outcome will be.

Questions to Ask a Dermatologist for Acne

Once your first appointment is on the calendar, take some time to educate yourself about potential causes of acne and treatment options, and create a list of questions to ask your dermatologist. Here are some ideas:

What causes acne?
What is the most effective way to care for my skin?
What are the best treatments available today?
Are the skincare products (or makeup) I use contributing to my breakouts?
What lifestyle changes do you suggest?
What should I do if my symptoms worsen?
What’s the difference between acne and rosacea?
How can I prevent acne scars?

What to Expect at a Dermatologist Appointment for Acne

Acne can be complicated. Pinpointing the cause(s) will make it easier to create an effective treatment plan with results that last long-term. Your initial consultation will likely include these elements:

Medical History

“At your first acne consultation, a detailed review of your history will be taken, which may include contributors to acne not addressed by over-the-counter treatments,” says Joseph. “These triggers include stress levels, family history, dietary trends, hormonal conditions as well as skincare products not well suited for acne-prone skin.” She says it’s helpful if patients bring a list of what products they are using now and what medical treatments they have used in the past, if any.

Skin Exam

Next, your provider will examine your skin to determine acne type, severity and what areas of your skin are affected. Dermatologists recommend patients do not wear makeup so all blemishes will be visible

Don’t worry if your acne happens to clear up before your exam. Joseph says, “I’ve had patients who have reported significant acne breakouts that have gotten better by the time they arrive at the office, but even in those cases the acne still exists on close inspection by a trained eye.”

Acne Diagnosis

Your dermatology provider will determine the type of acne you have — whether it be hormonal, genetic or a lifestyle issue — and suggest next steps.

Some of the causes of acne are in your control and some are not. Rashida Hassanali, PA-C, Howell, NJ, at Schweiger Dermatology Group, noted on Instagram recently, “Chest and back acne form for a lot of the same reasons that we get acne on the face, and that’s going to be primarily due to genetics and hormones.” If your diagnosis is cystic acne, you’re dealing with genetics. The good news is once you name it, you can manage it.

Hassanali notes there are other culprits as well, such as diet. “Sometimes people are eating things that are high on the glycemic index that can spike blood sugar and then cause inflammation and outbreaks of acne.” Stress and sweating can contribute to acne as well. Since those causes are connected to lifestyle, your dermatologist can help you make shifts in your habits to ensure fewer breakouts.

Treatment Process

Joseph says this is the point in the appointment where you discuss the treatment options and agree upon a path forward. “Most often, patients leave with a written routine including medical treatments as well as recommended supportive skincare products to be used at home.” In more severe cases, she suggests in-office treatments such as cortisone injections and acne extractions, which can be performed to alleviate the discomfort of inflammatory lesions.

Follow-Up Appointments

Treatment of acne is a journey; it can take on average 12 weeks to a year to see an improvement. “There needs to be consistency at home as well as in-office appointments so that the patient and provider can exchange information to get the best results,” Joseph adds. It’s important to schedule and attend your follow-up appointments to ensure that your treatment is working to resolve your acne breakouts.

In addition to addressing your current issues, your dermatologist will create a skincare regimen to incorporate into your daily routine going forward. Joseph says, “Partnering with a dermatology provider, being consistent with their recommendations, and following up is key for getting great results on one’s journey to clear skin.”

Dermatologist Acne Treatment at Schweiger Dermatology Group

Our skilled dermatology providers can help you achieve clear, healthy skin with a personalized treatment plan tailored to your acne type. Your provider will assess your skin and then combine at-home care and in-office acne treatments ranging from oral or topical antibiotics, oral contraceptives and topical retinoids to laser and light treatments, medical acne facial treatments, and cortisone injections. They can also find the right procedure to help with acne scarring. Take the first step towards clearer skin by scheduling a consultation today.