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treatment of acne and pimples
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Skin & Hair Concerns
Question #20844
45 days ago
73

treatment of acne and pimples - #20844

Shreya

I am really struggling with my skin lately and feel like I need some help figuring out the best treatment of acne and pimples. It all started a few months ago when I noticed these random breakouts on my forehead, and now they’re popping up on my cheeks too! I’ve tried every over-the-counter cream and wash you can imagine. I wash my face religiously and thought that might help but nope, just got more breakouts. The weird thing is, like one week it gets better and then the next week boom, there’s more crap on my face. I also started getting this redness around my nose, which I’ve read might be a sign of something else? Anyway, I did my own little research and found some stuff about the treatment of acne and pimples, but it's confusing. Should I be looking for a specific type of ingredient in products? Some friends mentioned I should see a dermatologist, but what if it’s not that serious? How do I know if what I’m using is actually effective and not doing more harm? If anyone could share their experiences or what worked for them regarding the treatment of acne and pimples, I’d really appreciate it! I’m just kinda lost here and frustrated, ya know?

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Doctors' responses

Given how you’ve been tackling the breakouts, there are a few different angles we can look at for management of acne and pimples. Starting with over-the-counter (OTC) products, the key active ingredients to look for are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide helps to kill acne-causing bacteria and often works well for inflammatory acne—the red, painful bumps or pustules. Salicylic acid, on the other hand, is great for exfoliating your skin and keeping pores clear, useful for non-inflammatory acne like blackheads and whiteheads. If redness around your nose worries you, that’s something to keep an eye on as it could hint at other conditions like rosacea, which requires a different approach. Timing and consistency with these products are crucial, as it typically takes at least 6–8 weeks to see noticeable improvements. Overwashing your face can sometimes backfire by stripping natural oils and making your skin produce more oil, so sticking to washing twice a day is generally advisable. With products, less is often more—too much can irritate and worsen acne. A non-comedogenic moisturizer can help to balance hydration without clogging pores. If OTC doesn’t seem enough any longer, a dermatologist can offer prescriptions like retinoids or antibiotics which might be more effective for persistent breakouts, and these require a professional consult, considering your symptoms fluctuate over weeks. They can assess for risk factors, other skin conditions, and propose a tailored treatment plan, keeping in mind lifestyle factors. Do note if you notice sudden, severe acne or unusual skin changes, it’s a cue to seek professional guidance promptly, as some treatments need to be adjusted based on individual response.

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