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Getting acne....Q&A............(part 3 of 5)

I’ve started getting acne spots. How long do they last? This depends on what type of spots they are and, even then, it can be very difficult to predict what will happen. Some spots will appear and then disappear during the course of a day but others will evolve more gradually through the various stages. Comedones can be very persistent if they don’t get inflamed. Mildly inflamed spots will last 5–10 days before settling down, but can leave a flat red mark (macule) for several weeks. Nodules and cysts may last for weeks or months unless you get some treatment. What is the difference between a whitehead and a yellow- head spot? These two common terms describe quite different types of spot. A whitehead is a closed comedone where the pore is blocked and not open to the air. There is no inflammation (redness). A yellow- head suggests a spot with pus in it. The medical term is a ‘pustule’. Whiteheads may become yellowheads if the blocked pore becomes infected. My daughter is only 9 but she seems
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Topical acne treatment :Applying retinoids like a pro


Topical retinoids are applied in small, thin, pea-sized amounts to clean, dry skin once a day in the morning or at bedtime. They should be applied to all affected areas as well as to places that are
acne-prone. Retin-A (not Retin-A Micro) and Avita, which tend to degrade in sunlight, should be applied only at bedtime. Talk with your doctor about the best time to apply Retin-A Micro, Differin, and Tazorac.

Dermatologists often start treatments with a lower strength preparation; in time, your doctor may prescribe higher concentrations of the active ingredient, if necessary, depending on your ability to tolerate them.

Within six to eight weeks, you should notice improvement if you have been using your product continuously. Maximal improvement most often occurs by three to four months.

Despite the common misconception, acne does not flare in the first few weeks of treatment; rather, the “flare” is due to irritation from the retinoid or from the natural progression of your acne, so try to“ride it through” unless the irritation is really severe — at which point you should call your dermatologist or healthcare provider. It’s not uncommon for retinoids to be used improperly and discarded before they have a real chance to work. Make sure you get
both verbal and written directions from your doctor to make sure that you use your products correctly.
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  1. plastic surgeon los angelesMay 27, 2010 at 10:36 PM

    Thanks for mentioning this.I will definitely learn to apply it from my dermatologist.Hope this helps.

    Plastic surgeon Los Angeles

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