Acne Warning Signs Too Serious to Ignore

While there's no denying that acne is a big concern and a very tough emotional experience for many, you can breath a sigh of relief knowing that it's not a major health issue. There are options available for treating it, albeit some are better than others, and it can be very difficult to choose an option that is right for you.  However, there are some signs that your breakouts may not be typical or that are so severe that may lead to permanent skin damage. In these cases, it's important that you not ignore the signs your body is giving you. Here is a look at just a few instances where this is the case. 

Your acne occurs across multiple parts of your body

Many people assume that acne is limited to the face, but it can actually occur on all parts of the body that have sebaceous glands and hair follicles that are EVERYWHERE (with the exception of the palms and feet). As it is not common to have acne over all your body, having outbreaks in areas others than the face -most commonly on the neck, back, chest, and shoulders - has become more and more prevailing.  Breakouts across the body are a fairly good indicator that you're suffering from a severe form of acne, which will require a more powerful treatment than those used to treat mild breakouts. This type of acne requires diligence and perseverance to treat and usually also takes more time to eradicate.

You're suffering from acne cysts

You may be familiar with acne in the form of whiteheads and blackheads, but there are other more severe forms too - namely, cystic acne. Cystic acne is characterized by hard, red bumps that can sometimes be quite large and even painful. Most often you may find that they are tender to the touch. Cysts penetrate the skin much deeper than "regular pimples", and because of this, they put you at a higher risk of scarring and infection. Like other forms of severe acne, cysts typically require stronger and longer forms of treatment to cure.

Your acne doesn't go away after months of treatment

While there is "no miracle overnight cure for acne" and it may take some time to see signs of improvement with a new acne treatment, eventually it should start working. If, after 3-4 months (in case of severe acne) and 1-3 months (in case of mild to moderate acne) you haven't seen any indication that your breakouts are getting better, there's a chance that you could be suffering from a severe form of  chronic acne and that your treatment of choice is NOT adequate. Other signs of chronic acne include scarring, frequent skin inflammation, and an unusual number of blackheads forming.

Your problems become more than physical

Breakouts no doubt take a physical toll on your skin, but for some people their acne problems become emotional as well. This is a condition that can be socially debilitating and may affect your mental health just as much as it affects your body. If you find that the thought of your acne consistently dampens your mood or keeps you from social activities, possibly affecting your work or school performance and goals, that you are depressed and do not enjoy activities you enjoyed before,  then it's time to seek professional help.  Those signs may indicate the need for some counseling to prevent a serious depression and even more, a serious dent in your quality of life. Finding a good skin treatment is one part of the solution, but it may also be beneficial for you to find a professional or a close family ally that you can discuss your underlying emotional issues about acne with.

Your acne becomes worse after starting a new treatment

If you begin a new treatment and your acne only gets worse for over the next 4- 6 weeks, that should be a warning sign that something is wrong. Typically, it means that you have possibly chosen the wrong treatment or that you are having an allergic reaction. If this happens to you, you should discontinue use of the new product immediately and if necessary seek medical attention. In most cases, your acne should subside in intensity once you stop using the allergy-causing ingredients, but it never hurts to seek guidance from a doctor in instances like this. It is also important to note that some people experience worsening of acne as a first step in breaking the cycle of acne. This period should not however last more than 14-16 days after which you should see slow but steady improvement. The reasons why you may actually experience worsening of acne in the first two weeks or sometimes a little longer may be as follows:

• You stopped your oral contraceptives and your body is in a hormonal imbalance that takes up to 3-5 months to reverse
• You just had a baby and again your body is in a hormonal imbalance that takes up to 1-3 months to regain
• The actual time of formation of pimples is about 10-14 days. Those pimples that already started to form will come out, so you are seeing "left overs" of your untreated state
•  You are using other medication, supplements, cosmetic or skincare products that make your skin worse

Either way, take a look at the bigger picture and at the long-term goal, which is to break the cycle of YOUR acne.  Of course you want a quick fix, why wouldn't you?   And there are quick fixes that can help along the way, but they don't treat.   Focusing on breaking the cycle of acne can truly be done with patience, perseverance and a personalized treatment that fits YOU.  We've actually helped well over half a million people do it - so why can't it happen to you too?

With a promise of clear skin,
Dr. A