In this post I’ll give my best advice on when to see a dermatologist for acne or other skin conditions.
I had acne since around 16 until my mid twenties, so I know just how much it can hurt your self esteem.
So whether you have acne yourself, or you’re a parent whose child is experiencing it, we’re going to to help you figure out when to see a dermatologist for acne.
Table of Contents
- When you have mild acne to severe acne
- When your skincare isn’t working
- Your GP’s acne treatment isn’t working
- If the acne is getting worse
- When the acne hurts really bad
- When the acne impacts on quality of life
- What acne treatments do dermatologists recommend?
- Dermatologist acne treatment cost
- What if I can’t afford dermatologist treatment for acne?
- Best dermatologists in London for acne
- Conclusion on when to see a dermatologist for acne
- This was when to see a dermatologist for acne.
When you have mild acne to severe acne
A lot of people see mild cases of acne as an everyday experience, but they underestimate how much it can affect you.
So whether you have mild acne or severe breakouts, if it has been going on for a while, seeing a dermatologist can definitely help you.
Mild acne treatment can be as simple as changing up your routine with the expert advice of a dermatologist.
For more severe cases of acne, dermatologists can prescribe you both oral and topical medication.
The key point I’m trying to make is – don’t put off seeing a professional if your acne is bothering you, even if it’s mild.
Don’t delay seeking help because you don’t think the severity of your acne is enough. Seek help early before the problem gets worse!
When your skincare isn’t working
At some point, we’ve all fallen into the ‘just one more product’ trap.
Before you know it, you’ve spent hundreds on trending products that, sometimes, have only made acne worse.
Whilst over the counter acne products can work well, sometimes the problem is deeper than surface level.
A good skincare routine can help acne, but if your acne is due to hormonal imbalances it’s going to be an uphill battle.
Hormonal acne often needs to be targeted from multiple angles: diet, lifestyle, products, oral medications and topical retinoids, for example.
Don’t carry this weight on your own if you can help it, you’ll underestimate how it can affect you long term!
Your GP’s acne treatment isn’t working
There’s a big gap in the knowledge between your family doctor and a board-certified dermatologist.
In the UK, GP advice for acne often doesn’t help and can leave you feeling stuck.
If you’re wondering when to see a dermatologist for acne and your GP hasn’t helped, now is the time.
If you can (and you’re in the UK), you should ask for a referral from your GP to a dermatologist, but you may have to wait months.
I have friends whose GPs are suggesting they take a third, fourth or fifth round of oral antibiotics.
If they’re not working by the third time, they’re probably not going to start working now!
Even topical antibiotics can help temporarily, but don’t get rid of the problem after the treatment is over.
Seeing a dermatologist earlier will save you the mental trauma of dealing with acne long term.
If the acne is getting worse
If you’ve tried at-home treatments and the acne is getting worse, seek help sooner rather than later.
Whether you’ve got adult acne or you’re a parent of a teen, always see someone sooner to reduce the emotional distress that comes with dealing with acne over a long period of time.
Maybe it’s getting worse because you’re using the wrong active ingredients and would get on better with prescription medication, for example.
Maybe you have a type of acne that isn’t really acne at all, like acne rosacea!
Professional treatment can help you identify what’s wrong, and stop acne getting bad again.
When the acne hurts really bad
There’s a huge difference between a pesky whitehead and painful acne.
If your breakouts are deep, swollen, and tender to the touch – it’s time to take it seriously and see a dermatologist.
Cystic acne, the most severe form of acne, develops deep under the skin. This makes it nearly impossible to treat with standard over-the-counter products.
No amount of salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or any treatments will shrink these painful bumps.
The inflammation is happening far below the surface, where topical treatments can’t reach.
The real problem is scarring that is very hard to remove.
If your cystic acne goes away on its own with time or when hormones settle down, you’ll notice the deep scarring.
These deep, inflamed pimples can leave behind permanent indentations or hyperpigmentation, even if you don’t pick at them.
When the acne impacts on quality of life
If your acne is so bad the the moment you’re avoiding leaving the house, this is a major problem.
You deserve to enjoy your life and have a social life.
If your acne is embarrassing you and making you feel low, you should see a dermatologist asap – no exceptions.
What acne treatments do dermatologists recommend?
If you’ve gone from ‘when to see a dermatologist for acne?’ to now wondering which acne treatments dermatologists recommend, I will list out most of them here.
Often people are scared of medical treatments, but in reality a lot of them are not that scary.
- Topical medications like retinoid creams can unclog the hair follicles and prevent them getting clogged again. They can also reduce dark spots and prevent future breakouts, giving you healthy skin in just a few months sometimes!
- Oral contraceptives can reduce skin oiliness that leads to acne-prone skin and acne breakouts. It can be particularly helpful with polycystic ovary syndrome.
- Severe forms of acne can benefit from Accutane, an oral medication that can permanently get rid of acne. It is one of the most effective treatment options. This treatment is especially helpful for painful cysts.
- Oral and topical antibiotics can reduce inflammatoryacne in a couple of weeks, allowing the next steps in your treatment plan to work better.
- Laser treatment can reduce redness from rosacea and target acne marks.
In summary, there are lots of effective treatments for different types of acne.
When you see a dermatologist for acne, they will recommend a customized treatment plan and should explain the potential side effects, too.
Dermatologist acne treatment cost
I have seen three dermatologists now and have a good idea of how much they cost in London.
Don’t get me wrong, they aren’t cheap, but you do at least get your treatment plan in the first consultation.
For a 15-30 minute first consult, dermatologists tend to cost £120-250.
Most dermatologists are about £120-150, but some more expensive, central London clinics are triple the price.
Here’s a rough dermatologist cost breakdown:
- Initial consultation £120-250
- 12 week follow up £120-280 (this is usually recommended but not always necessary)
- Subsequent follow ups, same price, not always needed
- Picking up prescription medication is also more expensive when it comes from a private dermatologist, usually around £20-40 per item
Seeing a dermatologist through the NHS is obviously free, but can take months to be seen.
What if I can’t afford dermatologist treatment for acne?
It’s very unfair that being seen by a private dermatologist in the UK is so expensive.
If you can’t afford a dermatologist right now, and the NHS is taking too long, I think Dermatica or Skin & Me is a good idea.
I wrote a Dermatica vs Skin and Me review, if you’re interesting in choosing one.
How it works is by submitting photos to a dermatology team, who then send you a customised prescription medication.
Best dermatologists in London for acne
I can only advise on dermatologists in London, but my favourites are:
- Dr Anjali Mahto at Self London, she has the kindest soul and really validates your feelings. She also had acne herself so she just gets it.
- Dr Mary Sommerlad, also at Self London. She is very switched on and attentive.
- Dr Sam Bunting runs her own clinic. She has rosacea so is particularly great for treatment rosacea skin types. I also really love the Flawless cleanser and some of her other products.
Conclusion on when to see a dermatologist for acne
In the end, the earlier you see a dermatologist is always better.
You ultimately want to avoid mental and physical scarring.
Acne is the most common skin condition in the world, and it can be very draining.
You deserve to live your life to the fullest, have the social life you want and feel confident.
A dermatologist appointment may be expensive, but it can be so worth it.
