It's a common condition that affects the young and old, but mostly it affects teenagers. There is definitely a hereditary component to getting acne, so in all likelihood, if your parents had acne, you will as well. It's a condition where the hair follicles become clogged with oils under hormonal influence. It includes whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts.
There is really no cure for acne. The closest thing we have is something called isotretinoin which people know nowadays as Accutane. Most of the time, we just control acne with a variety of therapeutic modalities and oral or topical antibiotics. Isotretinoin is under a lot of scrutiny by the government, because there are a lot of potential side effects. In my opinion it is one of the best treatments for acne.
It is not necessarily important to see a dermatologist before starting a skin care treatment. You can try over-the-counter products first. Seeking treatment is really an individual preference. Some people don't try anything before coming right to a dermatologist. Other people they try a few things first. I would say that if you've tried a few products that are not helping, see a dermatologist. Since acne can be a scarring condition, I would say sooner better. Depending on your area and your plan, a trip to the dermatologist might be covered by your insurance.
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