Consultation from doctors or skin specialists is always a good idea especially when one is suffering from a skin condition. In cases where the condition is not serious or severe it might not be necessary but it is still always a good option to get some tips on how to maintain and improve the health of the skin. According to National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) acne is a skin condition that is related to the sebaceous glands. The pores of the skin and the glands are connected through the hair follicles. When the excessive production of oil is caused by the oil glands it blocks the pores of the skin and leads to acne formation. Treatment is prescribed once the type and severity of the acne becomes clear. For mild acne, over the counter acne medication, homebased remedies, rigorous skin care, moisturizers, mild soap and even a well balanced diet can help improve the condition greatly. For such cases mild self treatments are favorable, when this fails to improve the condition then it is favorable to consult a doctor. For mild acne benzoyl peroxide is a topical treatment that can be applied in minute amounts to reduce acne. A minute amount should be used with a concentration of 5%, a higher concentration is prescribed for harsher acne conditions and should be done based on consultation with the dermatologist or skin specialist.

For severe acne, mild acne treatments are not enough. It is important to consult a doctor as soon as the signs of acne appear since it becomes easier to treat in the initial stages. Severe acne varies, it usually appears as acne nodules or cysts that can be painful and run deep within the pores of the skin. Therefore it becomes comparatively more difficult to treat the condition. For severe acne topical treatments are prescribed such as retinoid A. Stronger medication in the form of antibiotics are given for a longer duration of time. A well known antibiotic given for severe acne is accutane or isotretinoin. It can cure acne permanently and the duration of treatment can take up to 6 months. The downside of the treatment is the numerous harmful side effects that come with the treatment. The oral medication effects the nervous and digestive system, it also causes suicidal tendencies and depression. Usually doctors tend to prescribe this medication when all other treatments are ineffective. It would also be useful to look into comprehensive information regarding the medication before opting for the treatment.

Even though many consider home based and natural remedies to medication as a more risk free and cost effective approach, consulting a doctor immediately can help the acne sufferers understand their condition better as the doctor help guide through the right treatment for the acne problem.

Visit out Articles section full of articles and resources about acne and related skin conditions.