dermatologist anxieties

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Idigit

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Hello,

I've never been to the derm before and I'm thinking of finally scheduling an appointment. I'm sort of at my wits end about my skin and I think it's time I get a professional opinion. I'm 19, and I have almost entirely non-inflamed acne - mostly whiteheaRAB and a few blackheaRAB. I only get full-blown pustules when I'm on my period, and it's only a few spots at that. With makeup and from a comfortable distance you probably couldn't tell that I have skin problems, and people have told me that before. But it really, really irritates me that my skin is just so damn congested. I feel like there's years of gunk in my pores that'll never come to the surface, and it drives me crazy. Plus I'm a picker (I know, I know...) and so I have a few scars and some pigmentation as well. My skin is quite fair so it's mostly red/pink spots. My skin is very sensitive as well - many lotions and drugstore acne treatments make my skin red and itchy.

Going to a derm would be a big decision for me, firstly because I absolutely hate going to the doctor's, and secondly, because I'm rather sensitive and my biggest fear about the derm is that it'll be a tortuous half-hour or longer of all my flaws being pointed out to me, all my bad habits put out in the open. It's a little terrifying to me. Even when I went in to my last checkup at the doctor's office, I was completely caught off guard when my doctor started asking me about my skin and suggesting I try a scar treatment. It made me feel very uncomfortable to be put on the spot like that and it's silly but it hurt my feelings a lot to hear someone point out that I had acne.

Am I being oversensitive? How does one deal with going to the derm if they're easily hurt by criticism? I imagine that this can't be an uncommon problem with acne sufferers because most of us are already very self-conscious to begin with... please give me your first derm experiences, advice, consolations, anything? What happens in a typical derm visit?

Also, based on the description of my skin, what do you guys think the derm will prescribe? Based on the research I've done I don't think I need an antibiotic of any kind, since my acne isn't inflamed. I was thinking something like tretinoin, so promote cell turnover and unclog my pores (and hopefully help with my scars)? Or birth control, to help with period breakouts?

Also, because I'm a chicken - does getting a med like Retin-A absolutely necessitate an actual consultation with a derm, or, if you know what you want to try, can you somehow get it from a derm's office without a visit? I know that's a little extreme but obviously this whole derm thing is a fear of mine.

Thanks so much for any input.
 
You shouldn't be scared to go see the derm. But trust me I understand. I once went to my regular doctor because I had to have a referral to go see a derm because of my insurance. When I told him what I was there for he looked at me and said Yes, you do look bit up. I haven't been to him since. He was so rude. But my derm was very nice. She is a lady and asked why I was there. And she took a look at my skin. I went with no make-up so they could see the problems I wanted to fix. They gave me a cream to help with the scarring. To me it didn't really do much. I also suffer from break outs when I am on my period. They gave me some pills for that, you would only take for when you are on your period. I don't recall the name because it has been awhile since I have been. I am wanting to have lazer surgery on my scars, but need to wait until I have enough money saved up. For the most part I think the doctor will make you feel very comfortable. And any questions you have just ask them. That is what they are there for. And if they are rude, there are plenty of other doctors to choose from. Maybe you could ask around and see who your family or frienRAB could recommend. Good luck and you'll be glad you went. Its not scary, I promise.:)
 
Thanks very much. I know I'm probably being irrationally afraid of going but it's nice to know it was an easy experience for you (after your first experience - how insulting!).
 
Hi Idigit,

I totally know what you mean. I am 23 and have suffered from acne since I was about 15, but its only been really bad the past couple of years. I'm also really self-conscious about it - I imagine we all are. I find it really hard to talk about my acne so i hadnt done anything about it. My boyfriend's mother works in a doctors surgery and knew a bit about roaccutane and one day when my skin was really bad she asked me if I'd ever been to the doctor about it and i was mortified and started crying!

But anyway I went to the derm and its honestly not scary at all. The thing you have to remeraber is they see people with skin like yours, and worse, all day everyday. Mine was very matter of fact and just asked questions about when and where my acne is worse, what measures I've taken to control it in the past, etc. Make sure you tell him/ her how much it bothers you though. I was put on a course of doxycycline for a month which did nothing really, together with topical gel stuff which didn't help either and then I went back last week and he put me on roaccutane. I'm really hoping this will clear me up for good but trying not to get my hopes up :)

I would really reccomend going to the derm, it made me feel a lot better just knowing I was doing something about it, I don't feel so frustrated anymore. Good luck, and if you need anymore advice let me know!
 
Thank you. It's definately one of my resolutions this year to go see one. I think it'll be really good for me, to take control in that way.
 
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